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Our oxygen is covered with regular medicare and our supplement policy.
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It sounds to me like you're on Medicare. Sadly, your situation is not the first I ever heard where are Medicare won't cover something that someone needs. You can get a supplemental insurance or just ditch Medicare altogether and go with an alternate. You can look into Medicaid and see if you qualify, but you may also face the same issue unless your doctor can do the paperwork. If not, I would just go with an alternative insurance company and maybe even get two or three others if you can afford it. See which insurance companies cover what and go from there, you shouldn't have to pay for expensive oxygen out of your own pocket
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Lawilson, for cofort levels, might I suggest Pursed Lip Breathing techniques, along with what Gardenartist recommend above. Google this, as it may help to get more O2 stores in the bloodstream, plus make her more comfortable, when she is breathless after walking ns moving around. The inability to breathe is such a terrifying thing!

She definitely needs to be under the care of a Pulmonolgist, and have all of those more indepth tests done, inpatient onvernight, ifpossible! You might have to put your foot down a little, while requesting them!
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Other thoughts to help her breathe until she can get Medicare reimbursement for oxygen:

1. Buy a hygrometer to test the relative humidity in the air; buy a room humidifier to humidify the air during winter when the furnace is on and air is drier.

2. Buy an air filter; my father and I both have them. There are 3 levels of air filtering; the nighttime one is quieter and can be run for hours w/o generating a lot of noise. Cleaner air helps breathing.

3. Ask about getting a script for a nebulizer. I don't think qualifications are as rigid as for oxygen concentrators.

4. Consider if cleaning can be done in such a way as to minimize airborne dust. If possible, eliminate or move items in the home that are dust bunny collectors.

5. Check your mother's diet vs. the lists of the most contaminated vegetables and fruits. Some of the sprays used on them can affect breathing.

6. Ask about an incentive spirometer. Using it can help build her pulmonary muscles.
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Lawilson, is this doctor who's checking with a pulse ox a pulmonary doctor? Has she done the more complex tests of an overnight test, as well as another test, the name of which I can't remember but involves sitting in a booth and having oxygen levels measured during various activities?

I get the impression the doctor doing the pulse ox testing is not the pulmonary doctor, although they've given you similar advice.

Ask them to start with overnight testing. Sat rates can drop drastically during those periods. That would get Medicare reimbursement for overnight oxygen, as a start.

As I recall, one of the other tests to qualify my father for 24/7 oxygen involved testing while the individual was at rest, while moving, and I believe after walking or exercising. (It's been a few years since those tests, which didn't qualify my father for oxygen other than at night. Still, it was a gradual process to get to 24/7 oxygen reimbursement by Medicare).

One of the problems of using a pulse ox for finger testing in a doctor's office is that the "exercise" is so limited it often doesn't reach the level of needed oxygen assistance.
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My mom is diagnosed with COPD and pulmonary hypertension and has tremendous difficulty breathing, however, when her doctor checks her oxygen level with the finger meter, it is never low enough to qualify for Medicare. We have a prescription, but have been told by dr they won't pay due to oxygen level. This is crazy since she can't breath Any suggestions? Pulmonary specialist has told us the same thing.
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Sandy, do you not have any supplemental insurance that would cover the portion Medicare doesn't pay? If not, consider it; this is the time to get it. Our Medigap plan pays for the 20% which Medicare doesn't cover.
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Does anyone know who to contact in a county regarding help to pay for oxygen equipment? It has been going on the credit card and now that is maxed out. On medicare but it doesn't cover it all and the rest was put on the credit card. Now cannot pay for it or for the card.
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I have a friend on oxygen, does anyone know of any programs that might help with the cost of a generator to back up his electric if the power goes out
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I live in a small town not much here trying to find a program to help pay for oxygen can no longer work have no income got turned down for medicad I have no small child please help if possible.
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I have a client in the Hill Country Texas who is on Indigent Care program. Patient can not afford her DME supplies (oxygen) is their any companies that can provide this help for her and others having Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease not COPD.
Please advise if there is anyone out there who might be able to help.
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My husband needs to be put on oxygen the insurance he has want pay for it...im on disability and "make to much" fir him to get on medicade, still waiting on his disability. What can i do
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GET MEDICAID, ALL OF YOU.
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summitco, oxygen is covered by Medicare at 80% coverage. Even without other insurance. Ask your supplier.
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My sister is 63 years old and lives in Granville County, NC. She is on oxygen 24/7, due to COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. Her only income is her Social Security check, and that is only $1,000 a month. She has no health insurance and her medical bills are adding up quickly. I am retired and on a fixed income myself and am not able to help her financially. She has been denied disability and medicaid several times that she has applied. Now, her oxygen supplier,LinCare out of Henderson, NC, is trying to take away her oxygen because she cannot pay the bill. Without the oxygen, she will surely die. Isn't this almost like murder? Shame on you LinCare!!! Is there any help out there...PLEASE???
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The best option I can think of is either to call your local social services, which has an emergency counselor, or tell your doctor, who should be able to locate some patient assistance programs to help.
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Maryfrances, then you should sign up for Medicaid. Even if your income is over the limit of $1416 a month, they do factor in the cost of medical care. If you need help applying for Healthy Connections (SC Medicaid), need assistance with your existing health plan or have other questions, please contact Healthy Connections at (888) 549-0820
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I have COPD and emphazema and need this oxygen. I, however, am on a fixed income and cannot afford one more medical expense. Please help.
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I was just informed that a will need to be put on nocturnal oxygen. I was told that Medicare will pay 80 per cent of this cost, however, I will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent every month. I need help.
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Carol, Why on earth isn't this man on Medicaid? Y'all phone down to the County Medicaid office and get him covered and taken care of. Time's a wastin'.
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My friend is a 42 year old man with COPD, coronary heart disease a long line of other medical problems went to heart dr. today oxygen level was 91 when checked they walked him around and it dropped to 88 dr. wants to put him on oxygen but he has no income or insurance can y'all help?
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Pam makes a good point, remember open enrollment is in October. My parents have a Medicare HMO which covered mom's oxygen and pretty much everything my dad needed during his illness......and that was quite a bit,
In the meantime do look into the County services and ask the Oxygen companies about hardship discounts.
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PAAD which is prescription assistant program might be able to help with the cost of your oxygen. I know medicare will also pay but if you live alone and need further help with the cost of meds or supplies talk to your general doctor who will or should have a social health nurse contact you
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Excuse me but not everybody can afford money to come off their social security check, that check might be all they have to live on..my Mom is lucky enough to be living with me and I feel so sorry for others who don't have anybody to help them at all
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It's too late now, but during the open enrollment for Medicare, you need to opt for better insurance coverage. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
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Try the following:
RxHope
Assistance for those who cannot afford medications that they need
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get medicines they need through public or private programs.
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my husband was placed on oxygen 5 years ago and at the time i had insurance to pay for it i have recently retired and have no insurance and can not pay for it wellstar came and repossed it the man took the canulas out of his nose where can i find help he can not get ssi because the say i draw too much
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Apply with
social services in your county for assistance. They will help.
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i filled out hardship papers with people who we recieve our oxygen from they said they maybe able to cut our payment in half. see if your copany does this service
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Try seeking help from the county that you live in.
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