Medicare covers Inogen portable oxygen concentrators, but only through rental from a Medicare-approved supplier and only if your doctor prescribes one and your blood oxygen level meets Medicare's threshold
Medicare Part B covers oxygen equipment and supplies when a doctor prescribes them for a medical reason. Inogen makes portable oxygen concentrators — machines that pull oxygen from the air and deliver it to you through a mask or nasal cannula. Medicare will pay for this type of equipment if your doctor documents that you need it and if you meet the program's requirements. However, Medicare does not cover every situation, and you cannot straightforward buy an Inogen and submit the bill. The process requires a prescription, a recent blood oxygen test, and approval before you receive the machine.
The key difference is that Medicare pays for rental through a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier, not for purchase directly from Inogen or a retail store. This means you do not own the machine — you rent it month to month, and the supplier handles maintenance and repairs. If you want to buy an Inogen outright, Medicare will not pay for it, and you would cover the full retail cost yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers portable oxygen concentrators like Inogen when a doctor prescribes them and your blood oxygen test shows a level at or below 88 percent.
- You must have a recent blood oxygen test (arterial blood gas or pulse oximetry) ordered by your doctor before Medicare will consider coverage.
- Medicare pays for rental through a Medicare-approved DME supplier, and you pay 20 percent of the approved rental cost after meeting your Part B deductible.
- The entire process from test to approval to delivery usually takes two to four weeks.
- If you have a Medigap plan, it may cover your 20 percent coinsurance; if you have Medicare Advantage, contact your plan directly for their specific oxygen coverage rules.
What Medicare requires before covering oxygen equipment
Your doctor must order oxygen and document the medical reason — this is not a request you can make on your own. Your doctor needs to see evidence that your blood oxygen level is too low. Medicare requires one of two tests: an arterial blood gas test (a blood draw that measures oxygen directly) or a pulse oximetry test (a finger clip that measures oxygen saturation). The test must show your oxygen level at or below 88 percent, or in some cases 89 percent if you also have heart or lung disease.
The test result must be recent — usually within 30 days of when your doctor writes the prescription. If your test is older than that, you will need a new one. Your doctor will then write an order that includes the test results, the reason you need oxygen, and how many hours per day you should use it. This paperwork goes to a Medicare-approved Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier, not to Inogen directly. Your doctor's office can help you find a supplier, or you can search for Medicare-approved suppliers in your area on the Medicare website.
How to get an Inogen through Medicare
The path to receiving an Inogen involves your doctor, a DME supplier, and Medicare — in that order. First, schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask for an oxygen test if you have not had one recently. Bring any symptoms you have noticed: shortness of breath, fatigue, or difficulty with activities you used to do easily. Your doctor will order the test and review the results with you.
Once your doctor has the test results and decides you need oxygen, ask your doctor for a written prescription. Your doctor's office may have a list of Medicare-approved DME suppliers in your area, or you can search for them yourself. Call the DME supplier and give them your doctor's prescription. The supplier will verify your Medicare coverage, check your deductible status, and tell you what your out-of-pocket cost will be. They will then contact Medicare for formal approval. Once approved, the supplier will deliver the machine to your home and show you how to use it.
What you will pay out of pocket
Medicare Part B covers 80 percent of the approved rental cost for oxygen equipment after you have paid your annual deductible (which is $240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly). You pay the remaining 20 percent. The approved rental amount varies by region and by machine, so your cost depends on where you live and which Inogen model the supplier stocks. Most people pay between $50 and $150 per month out of pocket, though this varies widely.
Most people rent oxygen equipment rather than buy it through Medicare. Rental is usually cheaper month to month, and the supplier handles maintenance and repairs. If you want to purchase an Inogen outright instead of renting, Medicare will not pay for it — you would pay the full retail price yourself, which can range from $1,500 to $3,000 or more depending on the model. Some people choose to buy after renting for a while, but that is a separate transaction outside Medicare.
Inogen models and Medicare approval
Not every Inogen model is the same price or approved by every DME supplier. Inogen makes several portable concentrators, including the Inogen One G5, G4, and G3 models, as well as the Inogen At Home stationary concentrator. Medicare approves portable concentrators as a category, but individual suppliers may stock only certain models based on their contracts with Medicare and their inventory. When you call a DME supplier, ask which Inogen models they have available and which one Medicare will cover for your situation.
The supplier will recommend a model based on your oxygen needs — how many hours per day you need it and whether you need it during activity or at rest. Portable models are lighter and battery-powered, which makes them useful if you leave your home. Stationary models stay in one place and plug into the wall. Your doctor's prescription will specify portable or stationary based on your lifestyle and oxygen requirements. The supplier cannot change what your doctor prescribed, but they can tell you which approved models fit that prescription.
What happens if Medicare denies coverage
Medicare may deny coverage if your blood oxygen test does not show a low enough level, if your test is too old, or if your doctor did not provide enough medical documentation. If this happens, the DME supplier will send you a notice called an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). This notice tells you that Medicare is likely to deny the claim and explains why. You can choose to proceed anyway and pay out of pocket, or you can ask your doctor to appeal the decision.
To appeal, your doctor can request that Medicare review the case, provide additional medical records, or order a second test. Appeals can take several weeks. If you need oxygen urgently and cannot wait for an appeal, you have the option to purchase or rent an Inogen privately while the appeal is pending, though you will pay the full cost yourself until Medicare makes a decision. Keep all receipts and documentation in case the appeal is successful and Medicare agrees to reimburse you.
Supplemental insurance and Inogen coverage
If you have a Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan, it may cover some or all of your 20 percent coinsurance for durable medical equipment. The amount depends on which Medigap plan you have. Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N typically cover coinsurance for Part B services, which includes oxygen equipment. Call your Medigap insurer to confirm what they cover before you rent the machine, so you know your exact out-of-pocket cost.
If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, your coverage for oxygen equipment works differently. Medicare Advantage plans must cover oxygen equipment, but they set their own rules about which suppliers you can use, which models are covered, and what you pay. Contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly to find out their oxygen coverage policy and which DME suppliers are in their network. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover oxygen with no coinsurance, while others charge a copay or coinsurance amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an Inogen directly and have Medicare reimburse me?
No. Medicare only pays DME suppliers for rental, not for retail purchases. If you buy an Inogen from a store or directly from Inogen's website, Medicare will not reimburse you. You must rent through a Medicare-approved DME supplier for Medicare to cover the cost.
How long does it take to get an Inogen approved and delivered?
The process typically takes two to four weeks from the time your doctor writes the prescription. This includes time for the DME supplier to verify your coverage, submit paperwork to Medicare, receive approval, and deliver the machine to your home. If your doctor's office is slow to send the prescription or if Medicare needs more information, it can take longer.
What if I use oxygen only at night or only during exercise?
Medicare covers oxygen equipment based on when you need it. Your doctor's prescription will specify the hours per day and the situations in which you should use it. Medicare will approve and pay for the equipment regardless of whether you need it 24 hours a day or just a few hours. The key is that your blood oxygen test must show a low enough level to meet Medicare's threshold.
Do I have to use a specific DME supplier, or can I choose any one?
You can choose any DME supplier that is Medicare-approved and serves your area. Ask your doctor for a list, or search the Medicare website for approved suppliers near you. Different suppliers may have different Inogen models in stock and may charge different amounts within Medicare's approved range, so it is worth calling a few to compare.
Will Medicare cover a second oxygen machine if I need one for travel?
Medicare may cover a second portable concentrator if your doctor documents that you need one — for example, one for home and one for travel. However, Medicare will not pay for two machines if one would meet your needs. Your doctor must justify why a second machine is medically necessary, and you will need a separate prescription for it.