COPD Foundation Assisting with Medicare Home-Oxygen User Complaints
March 9, 2009
MIAMI, FL — In order to address the complaints that have arisen as a result of changes in Medicare home oxygen equipment reimbursement, the COPD Foundation’s resource hotline—the C.O.P.D. Information Line (1-866-316-2673)—will be receiving calls from those with COPD who have complaints about their home oxygen service.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, reimbursement for home oxygen changed, when the law establishing a 36-month rental cap on payment for oxygen equipment impacted the first round of Medicare beneficiaries. The law states that Medicare will be responsible for paying 80 percent of the equipment rental for the beneficiary for 36 months, beginning at the time when the Medicare beneficiary receives the new oxygen unit. After the 36 months, Medicare will cease to make payments, but the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers must continue to provide service, free of charge, to the beneficiary for the remaining life of the oxygen equipment, which is deemed to be five years after the oxygen equipment was first delivered to the patient.
To read the full press release, click here.