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Traveling and flying with oxygen

Posted by steve1948 @steve1948, Feb 24, 2017

I saw a post on someone flying with oxygen, through a little surfing took me to this site
http://www.aeromedic.com/news/uncategorized/3-steps-fly-portable-oxygen-concentrator/
so it looks like tanks are out of the question, and ONLY concentrators are allowed. There's a little preparing to do before you fly, so I'd suggest you start early. Just thought you'd like to know.

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cognac | @cognac | Jan 27, 2018

Waterboy, thanks for the new information. It has, in fact, been 2.5 years. So I have 6 months to make other plans.

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Bill | @waterboy | Jan 27, 2018

It is five years long. You would now have to find a supplier that would accept 6 months pay for 3 years of service. This was the problem when my sister moved out of state.... luckily UW was her supplier and made arrangements to keep her supplied.

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vickiebgriff | @vickiebgriff | May 3, 2023
In reply to @cognac "Thanks, Terri, for your support. But other than the letter from my doctor, what is the..." + (show)
@cognac

Thanks, Terri, for your support. But other than the letter from my doctor, what is the "all paperwork" to which you refer?

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Check with airline you are using to see what they require.

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gjaleski | @gjaleski | May 14, 2023

I have a " fit to fly" test where you breath lower oxygen content for twenty minutes, equivalent to ox at 8000 feet, which is what you get in a commercial airplane.

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zimme | @zimme | Jul 13, 2023
In reply to @cognac "@waterboy, you're lucky. On the day at the doctor's office when I was diagnosed with ILD..." + (show)
@cognac

@waterboy, you're lucky. On the day at the doctor's office when I was diagnosed with ILD and was told I needed Oxygen, I asked the nurse for some names of places to call. She told me who they usually use, and I was upset, so I said fine. I'll use them. She didn't mention that I was also agreeing to use ONLY them for 5 YEARS as part of their contract. Consequently, Medicare pays for the rental on the huge unit I have at home, and any tanks I wish to order, but WILL NOT pay for a concentrator from another company until t he 5 years has expired. So I bought my concentrator out-right.

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medicare will not cover portable concentrators, they consider it luxury but will cover inhome units and tanks and every 36 months they will renew the contract, was just told this at beginning of the week as i need to replace my innogen unit

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2 replies
chickytina | @chickytina | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @zimme "medicare will not cover portable concentrators, they consider it luxury but will cover inhome units and..." + (show)
@zimme

medicare will not cover portable concentrators, they consider it luxury but will cover inhome units and tanks and every 36 months they will renew the contract, was just told this at beginning of the week as i need to replace my innogen unit

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A lot of insurance doesn't cover the portable units. You need to have equipment covered in order for them to pay. It can be part of a medical deduction on your taxes though.

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rntichauer | @rntichauer | Jul 14, 2023
In reply to @zimme "medicare will not cover portable concentrators, they consider it luxury but will cover inhome units and..." + (show)
@zimme

medicare will not cover portable concentrators, they consider it luxury but will cover inhome units and tanks and every 36 months they will renew the contract, was just told this at beginning of the week as i need to replace my innogen unit

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My wife has ILD....not true, in her case. Our supplier has issued her a portable OC, covered thru Medicare. Perhaps the rules vary from supplier to supplier.....but we were given one, without even asking.

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britnoor | @britnoor | Jul 14, 2023

I too have heard that Medicare will cover portable units. I would check again

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