What happens after the 36 month oxygen rental period?

September 20, 2009 by admin

After 36 months, Medicare stops making rental payments for oxygen equipment, but you will continue to get the oxygen equipment and accessories from the same supplier at no charge for any period of medical need until the end of the reasonable useful lifetime of the oxygen equipment (generally 5 years after the date that the equipment was delivered to you). When the equipment comes to the end of its reasonable useful lifetime, your supplier can pick up the equipment and you can get new equipment if it is determined that you still have a medical need for oxygen. When you get the new equipment, Medicare starts a new 36 month rental payment. If you get oxygen delivered in tanks or cylinders, your supplier must continue to deliver the oxygen tanks after the 36 month rental period ends, and Medicare will continue to pay for delivery of oxygen contents in these tanks or cylinders.