User Tools: Your Care Team: Talking to Your Provider

TALKING TO YOUR PROVIDER

If you are prescribed oxygen, you will undoubtedly have a lot of contact with your home oxygen provider. Make sure they are accredited, and can provide you with clinical and technical support 24 hours a day. This is a vital part of your care team, and they will be supplying you with the oxygen you need from now on. Get to know your customer service representative if you can, and talk with the respiratory therapist regularly about how your treatment is going. Don't hesitate to call them with any questions about your equipment; after all, that is what they are there for.

What is a provider?

The company that delivers your oxygen has probably been around for a long time as a medical supplier. They must be approved by your insurance company, just like your doctor. Providers deliver medical equipment to patients after a doctor has prescribed it. This could be anything from wheelchairs, to special hospital-type beds, to oxygen.

Oxygen is very challenging to manage. Your provider has spent considerable time and money to have people on staff at every level who are very knowledgeable about oxygen therapy, and they should have an RT, or respiratory therapist, on staff with whom you can discuss your specific oxygen needs.

What kind of oxygen should I get?

Your doctor will probably have some recommendations on this, and it will be based on what disease you have and how advanced it is. There are three kinds of oxygen delivery systems, which you can learn about here in the education section.

If you're able, you should consider a Single Solution Portable Oxygen Concentrator. Ask your doctor and your provider about this versatile device.

Will my insurance cover it?

Every insurance company is different, but most do pay for your oxygen therapy if your doctor prescribes it based on the results of your respiratory tests. There are usually very specific guidelines that insurance companies have for oxygen therapy. You have to meet some or all of these guidelines in order to be eligible. Check with your insurance company, and have your doctor's office help you with the paperwork.

For more information, talk to the OxygeNation Community in the insurance forum.

Is it ok to buy my own oxygen equipment from an online supplier?

Some people have decided to purchase their own oxygen therapy equipment on the internet instead of having it paid for by their insurance. If you do decide to purchase online make sure the company you purchase from is a reputable company and is willing to spend the time with you to answer your questions and concerns. The company should also offer clinical and technical support 24 hours a day.

Questions to Ask Your Provider

1. What types of systems do you offer?: Many companies only offer compressed gas equipment, and you may want something more modern and innovative.
2. What accessories are provided?: Make sure you get everything you need the first time-different kinds of cannulas, extra tubing, batteries, etc.
3. What about training?: Your provider should train you on the equipment-after all, you'll be using it every day. But also have a caregiver, or someone in your family, get trained as well in case they have to operate it in an emergency.
4. How often will I see the respiratory therapist?: Your provider's RT should be available anytime by phone, and should visit you once a month or so, depending on your condition.
5. How is the equipment maintained?: Make sure you understand and perform the daily maintenance required to keep your oxygen equipment running. Don't let the delivery people leave without demonstrating this.
6. Can you help me arrange oxygen for travel?: Most home oxygen providers should be able to offer some services to you when traveling. Ask them about equipment that is approved for air travel.
7. How many branches do you have and where are they?: The more locations a company has, the better it is for you and for your travel plans.
8. Are you accredited?: All providers must be accredited by 2007 in order to qualify for Medicare reimbursement.
9. Are you available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of emergency?: If the answer is no, hang up and call somebody else. You could be an ideal candidate for a portable oxygen concentrator.