Medicare covers portable oxygen machines, but only if a doctor prescribes them and you meet specific conditions

Medicare Part B covers portable oxygen equipment when a doctor determines you have a medical need — usually chronic lung disease, heart disease, or severe anemia that leaves your blood oxygen too low. The coverage includes the machine itself, the oxygen supply, and related equipment like tubing and masks. You do not pay the full cost upfront; instead, you pay a share of what Medicare allows, and Medicare pays the rest to a supplier enrolled in their program.

The catch is that Medicare will only pay for equipment rented from or purchased through a Medicare-approved supplier. If you buy a portable oxygen machine on your own from a non-approved seller, Medicare will not reimburse you. You also cannot straightforward decide you need one — your doctor must order it in writing, and Medicare's contractor in your state will review the order to confirm it meets their standards before the supplier can deliver it to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must write an order for portable oxygen, and Medicare's state contractor must approve it before you receive the equipment.
  • You can only get coverage through a Medicare-approved supplier; buying from other sellers means Medicare will not pay.
  • Medicare Part B covers the machine, oxygen supply, and accessories, but you pay 20 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible.
  • Renting is usually cheaper than buying upfront, and rental payments count toward the purchase price if you later decide to own the machine.
  • Your doctor may need to order a blood oxygen test (pulse oximetry or arterial blood gas) to prove medical necessity before approval.

How Medicare determines if you need portable oxygen

Medicare does not take your word for it — they require objective proof that your oxygen level is dangerously low. Your doctor will typically order a blood oxygen test, either a straightforward pulse oximetry reading (a clip on your finger) or an arterial blood gas test (a blood draw). Medicare's rules state that you may have access to if your oxygen level is at or below certain thresholds, which vary depending on whether you are at rest, exercising, or sleeping.

The test results go into your medical record, and when your doctor submits the oxygen order to a Medicare-approved supplier, the supplier forwards it to Medicare's state contractor for review. The contractor checks the test results against Medicare's standards. If your numbers do not meet the threshold, the order will be denied. If they do, the supplier gets the green light to deliver equipment to you.

This process usually takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster if your doctor's office and the supplier work quickly. If you are in crisis — for example, you just left the hospital and need oxygen when ready — ask your doctor to mark the order as urgent. Some suppliers can provide equipment on a temporary basis while the approval is pending, though you may have to pay out of pocket until Medicare approves it.

What equipment Medicare covers and what you pay

Medicare Part B covers the oxygen concentrator or portable oxygen machine, the oxygen itself, tubing, masks, and other supplies needed to use the equipment safely. The coverage includes maintenance and repairs while you are renting. If you later decide to purchase the machine instead of renting, the rental payments you have already made count toward the purchase price.

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on whether you rent or buy. For rental, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved rental amount each month, after you have met your Part B deductible (which is $240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly). For purchase, you pay 20 percent of the approved purchase price, again after your deductible. The supplier bills Medicare for the rest.

Rental is almost always the better choice initially because the monthly cost is lower and you avoid a large upfront expense. After you have rented for about 13 months, the total rental payments usually equal the purchase price, and Medicare will stop paying rental fees — at that point, you own the machine outright and have no further monthly costs (except for oxygen refills, which you continue to pay for).

Finding a Medicare-approved supplier

You cannot order portable oxygen from Amazon, a local medical supply store, or a big-box pharmacy and expect Medicare to pay. The supplier must be enrolled in Medicare and meet their standards for equipment quality and customer service. Your doctor's office usually knows which suppliers are approved in your area, and they can send the order directly to one.

If your doctor does not have a supplier in mind, you can search Medicare's Supplier Directory online at Medicare.gov. Enter your zip code and select "Oxygen and Respiratory Equipment" to see all approved suppliers near you. Call a few and ask about their delivery time, whether they offer 24-hour support, and what happens if the equipment breaks. Some suppliers are better than others at responding quickly to problems.

Once you choose a supplier, they handle most of the paperwork. They submit your doctor's order to Medicare, follow up on the approval, and deliver the equipment once Medicare gives the go-ahead. You sign paperwork confirming you understand your costs, and the supplier bills Medicare and you directly for your share.

Renting versus buying: the financial picture

Renting is cheaper in the short term. A typical portable oxygen concentrator costs $1,500 to $3,000 to buy outright, but monthly rental fees are usually $50 to $150 (your 20 percent share after Medicare pays). Over 13 months, you will have paid roughly $650 to $1,950 out of pocket — less than the purchase price, and you have not had to pay the full amount upfront.

Buying makes sense if you know you will need oxygen for many years. Once you own the machine, you have no monthly rental payments, only the cost of oxygen refills and occasional repairs. If you rent for 13 months and then buy, you have paid both rental and purchase costs, which is wasteful. Talk to your doctor about how long you are likely to need oxygen — if it is permanent, buying after the rental period ends is usually the right move.

One more thing: if you rent and then stop using the equipment, you can return it and stop paying. If you buy and then do not need it, you are stuck with it. Renting gives you flexibility if your condition improves or if the equipment does not work well for you.

What to do if Medicare denies your order

If Medicare's state contractor denies your oxygen order, the supplier will notify you and your doctor. The denial letter will explain why — usually because your blood oxygen test results did not meet Medicare's thresholds, or because the order was incomplete or unclear.

You have the right to appeal. Ask your doctor to review the test results and the denial letter together. Sometimes a second test shows different numbers, or your doctor can provide additional medical records that support the need for oxygen. Your doctor can resubmit the order with more detail or request that Medicare reconsider based on new information.

If you need oxygen urgently while the appeal is pending, you can pay out of pocket to rent or buy from a non-approved supplier, then seek reimbursement once Medicare approves. Keep all receipts and documentation. This is not ideal, but it ensures you have oxygen while the process moves forward.

Portable oxygen on Medicare Advantage plans

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) instead of Original Medicare, your coverage for portable oxygen is similar but managed by your insurance company, not Medicare directly. Your doctor still needs to write an order, and you still need a blood oxygen test. The insurance company's contractor will review the order instead of Medicare's state contractor.

The main difference is that your out-of-pocket costs may be different — some Advantage plans charge a copay instead of 20 percent coinsurance, and some have different deductibles. Check your plan documents or call the customer service number on your insurance card to learn your exact costs before you order equipment.

You must use a supplier that is in-network with your Advantage plan. If you use an out-of-network supplier, you will pay much more or get no coverage at all. Ask your doctor or your insurance company for a list of approved suppliers in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my portable oxygen machine while traveling?

Yes, but you need to plan ahead. If you fly, contact your airline at least 48 hours before your flight — they have rules about oxygen equipment on planes, and you may need a special battery or a portable concentrator that meets their standards. For car travel, you can rent oxygen from a supplier in your destination city, or arrange for your current supplier to deliver a backup machine to where you are going.

What if the portable oxygen machine breaks or stops working?

Call your supplier when ready. If you are renting, they are responsible for repairs and replacements at no cost to you. If you own the machine, you pay for repairs, though Medicare may cover part of the cost if the machine is still under warranty. Always ask your supplier about their repair response time before you sign up.

Do I need a new oxygen order every year?

No, but your doctor may need to order a new blood oxygen test every few years to confirm you still need the equipment. Medicare's rules require periodic recertification, usually every 12 months for rental and every 5 years for purchase. Your supplier will remind you when recertification is due.

Can Medicare cover more than one portable oxygen machine?

Rarely. Medicare typically covers one portable concentrator per person. If you need backup equipment or a second machine for a specific reason (for example, one for home and one for travel), your doctor would need to document that medical necessity and request it in writing. Most denials for a second machine are upheld unless there is clear clinical justification.

What happens if I move to a different state?

You can transfer your oxygen service to a Medicare-approved supplier in your new state. Contact your current supplier and let them know your move date. They can help coordinate the transfer, or you can find a new supplier in your new state and have your doctor send your order there. Medicare's approval follows you — you do not need a new order just because you moved.