Does Medicare Cover Inogen? 

Inogen is the name of a medical technology company whose specialty is portable oxygen therapy solutions for people who have chronic respiratory conditions. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) are compact and portable devices that supply supplemental oxygen. The devices work by pulling in air through a filter, compressing it, removing nitrogen, and increasing the concentration of oxygen for someone who has low blood oxygen levels. 

You might benefit from a portable oxygen device like those made by Inogen if you have any of the following conditions:

• A chronic lung condition like COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, or lung cancer 
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension or heart failure
• A condition affecting nerves or muscles like muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, etc. 
• A respiratory disease such as chronic bronchitis or pulmonary fibrosis

Oxygen concentrators are commonly used when liquid or pressurized oxygen is inconvenient or dangerous. The smaller, lighter, and more portable devices are convenient for people to use at home and while traveling. Does Medicare cover the expense for beneficiaries?  

Does Medicare cover portable oxygen concentrators like Inogen? 

While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost for you to purchase a portable oxygen concentrator from Inogen, Original Medicare Part B(medical insurance) might cover the rental costs for systems that provide oxygen, oxygen containers, tubing and other related supplies and accessories, and a humidifier that you use with the oxygen machine. 

To be eligible for this benefit, you must meet all the following eligibility requirements for therapeutic oxygen use:  

• Your Medicare-affiliated health care provider certifies that you aren’t getting sufficient oxygen on your own.
• Your physician certifies that oxygen therapy is medically necessary to improve your health. 
• Your arterial blood gas levels are below a certain range.

If you qualify for this benefit, Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the cost for you to rent the equipment and supplies, but you must get them from a medical supplier who accepts Medicare assignment. You pay 20 percent of the monthly rental fee after you’ve met your annual Part B deductible. 

The DME contract for oxygen equipment is for 36 months initially. After 36 months, if you still need oxygen, your supplier must provide the equipment and supplies for 24 more months. If you continue to have a medically necessary reason to have oxygen at home, your supplier must provide it for a total of five years. 

If you have coverage through a Medicare Advantage (Part C)plan, your provider must cover medically necessary oxygen equipment and supplies. However, you may need to use a supplier that is in your plan’s network to qualify for coverage. You may also have different copayment or coinsurance charges, so check with your provider for details if you aren’t sure. 

How much does an Inogen portable oxygen concentrator cost without Medicare insurance? 

There are several different models available, so prices can vary. The base unit price typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,600 for the main components of the unit. You also have to pay for additional supplies like tubing and accessories, which can bring your out-of-pocket cost up to around $3,600.