Introduction to new section

[John]

Skate asked me about having a section about just o2 use, I thought it was a great idea , So to get this site off and running I Just wanted to let everyone know my o2 provider delivered my tank of liquid o2 and a portable helios tank that can be filled from the main tank this afternoon . what is nice is that it takes no electricity and make no noise at all , I can see where I'm in for a whole learning experience here , thumbsupde1

[aero63]

Good idea for this. My mom had the refill tanks
But kept burning herself, so it had to be switched out.

I have the concentratir , e tanks, and the A tanks. I wish my supplier had the smaller tanks for portables as the A tanks are very heavy to carry.

[David]

Here is my set up. I do have a rack where one machine sets on top of the other. I just wasn't using it when this picture was taken.

[John]

David this is my equipment ;Attachment Deleted

[hugahusky]

Question 

I looked at the pictures of David's and John's equipment and would like to know if in the US liquid oxygen is prescribed?  My equipment does not look like this at all.

Thanks

[skate4life]

It can be prescribed - the problem is that due to the revised and greatly lowered reimbursement rate by Medicare, many companies closed down for financial reasons. Even Medicare has had a hard time finding a company to take over for someone already on LOX to continue for the patient. It has become extremely difficult to find a company that will take on a new LOX patient. A lot depends on your location. John got Lincare but in my area Lincare is refusing to take new liquid (LOX) patients. It also has to due with your insurance, and if you are already on LOX, where you are in the 5 year Medicare contract. As they say, 'it's complicated' and as usual money plays a significant role. The push by these companies is to put everyone on electrical concentrators & POCs.

I need to make an important correction - John sent me a PM to clarify. My sincere apologies. I wish I had something as great as his pharmacy!!

"I don't use Lincare even though they are operating in my area . My lox supplier is a local pharmacy called Flynns Pharmacy . .They have a whole dept. just for pulmonary needs . They are available 24/7 and are open 7 days a week."

[David]

I am not on the Liquid Oxygen. I have a Concentrator.

I use Apria because that is the preferred Company by my Insurance (Humana). It's in the network.


My Concentrator and refill on the rack

[shelley]

I'm in Ontario, Canada and have a fabulous oxygen provider. I have 3 large liquid reservoirs (45L, 37L, 37L) and quite a few portables. I do have a concentrator but never feel well when I use it. ...guess my body notices the medical grade versus the knock off!

My 02 provider has always wanted to give me the most amount of freedom to continue to live as normal as possible. We travel with one of the reservoirs in the van when we go away on weekends. I am on high flow now but when I started using oxygen 8 years ago, I was still able to use the Caire Spirit 600 which is pulse. Those days are gone!!

I do have a 1/3 copay for my oxygen that the government does not pick up. This is because I had the audacity to need oxygen before turning 65. I was only 52 at the time. However, my private insurance covers the cost.

[skate4life]

Thanks David and John for the photos!

Shelley - it is so wonderful to hear you have such a great caring provider!

[David]

I have been on oxygen at night for 2 years (Feb 2013) 2 L/min

Then I am on portable cylinder (pulse) when I am active. 2 L/min I carry that in a back pack.

[aero63]

Depends on insurance carriers and private vs. gov't, medicare etc.

I go in network and didn't feel like the hassle of switching when I got my private ins. They are expensive compared to Lincare. I have RTA. Not an expert but this is the feel I get from reading the above.

My body seems able to tell the difference between the concentrator and the portable tanks.

[John]

Hi All ! Aero I don't have Lincare . I have a local pharmacy called Flynns that has a respiratory dept . My ins is Medicare A & B . I also have Dental and supplemental health that covers what Medicare doesn't from Verizon as part of my retirement package

[David]

I will be glad to turn 65 yr old. Right now I am 63 yr old and on disability. I have Medicare and a supplement but undoubtedly it is different from retirement Medicare. I pay $20 a month for my concentrator and $6 a month for the refill machine.

Hopefully when I turn 65 the oxygen will not cost me anything.