Your dad's doctor just prescribed oxygen to use at home, and now you're wondering who pays for it. Good news on this one: Medicare does cover home oxygen. Medicare Part B treats oxygen as durable medical equipment, so you rent the gear from a supplier, and after you meet the Part B deductible you generally pay 20% of the approved amount. Here's how the rental and the costs actually work.

In This Guide

Does Medicare Cover Oxygen at Home?

Yes. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers oxygen and oxygen equipment for use at home, and it does so under the durable medical equipment benefit, the same category that covers wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds.

The one condition is that a doctor has to prescribe it for a real medical need. Medicare's coverage page describes the kind of situation that qualifies: you aren't getting enough oxygen, your health might improve with oxygen therapy, and your arterial blood gas level falls within a certain range. That last part is the number from a blood test your doctor orders, so this isn't something you self-diagnose. Your physician documents the need, and that documentation is what makes the equipment eligible.

Practically, that covers the concentrator or tanks, the tubing, and the other accessories that make the system work. It's meant for people with conditions like severe lung disease or chronically low blood oxygen, and it's for use in your own home.

How Medicare Covers Home Oxygen, Step by Step

This is where oxygen works a little differently from buying a one-time piece of equipment. Medicare doesn't buy you a machine. You rent it.

Here's the structure. You rent your oxygen equipment from a Medicare-enrolled supplier, and Medicare pays a monthly rental fee for 36 months. As the Medicare coverage page puts it, "If you have Medicare and use oxygen, you'll rent oxygen equipment from a supplier for 36 months."

The nice part is what that monthly rental includes. It's not just the machine sitting in your living room. Those payments also cover all your tank or cylinder refills, and any supplies, accessories, maintenance, and servicing the equipment needs to keep working. So if the concentrator breaks or a filter needs replacing, that's the supplier's job, not a separate bill you go hunting for.

What You'll Pay for Home Oxygen

So what does this cost you out of pocket? The cost-sharing works like most other Part B services.

First, you have to meet the annual Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. That's a once-a-year amount across all your Part B care, not something charged just for oxygen. Once you've met it, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the oxygen equipment and supplies, and Medicare pays the other 80%.,

Keep two things in mind on the money side. You also keep paying your monthly Part B premium ($202.90 for most people in 2026) to have this coverage at all. And your 20% share applies to the monthly rental, so it's a recurring cost, not a single charge. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap), it may pick up part or all of that 20% coinsurance, which is worth checking before you assume the full share is yours.

What Happens After the 36-Month Rental

A lot of families get nervous about what happens at the 36-month mark. The equipment doesn't get taken away.

After the 36 rental payments, Medicare's payment for the equipment ends, but the supplier still owns it and has to keep furnishing your oxygen and oxygen equipment for as long as you need it, up to 5 years from when you first started using it. So even though the rental fee stops, the supplier's responsibility to maintain and service your setup continues. You keep the same equipment and the same supplier through that period, and you don't start a fresh rental clock unless your medical situation changes and a new period begins.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Everything above describes Original Medicare, meaning Part B. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan instead, your oxygen is handled by that plan. Medicare Advantage plans have to cover at least the same equipment Original Medicare covers, but they may use their own supplier networks and prior-authorization rules. If Medicare Advantage is your coverage, call your plan before you pick a supplier so you know what your share will be and which suppliers are in-network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a specific supplier for Medicare oxygen?

Medicare only covers oxygen equipment from a supplier that's enrolled in Medicare. If that supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible; a supplier that doesn't accept assignment can charge you more. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, it may require you to use a supplier inside its network, so call the plan before you choose one.

Does Medicare buy the oxygen machine or rent it?

It rents it. Medicare pays a monthly rental fee to a Medicare-enrolled supplier for 36 months, and that rental covers the equipment, refills, supplies, accessories, maintenance, and servicing. The supplier owns the equipment, not you.

What do I pay for home oxygen under Medicare?

After you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and Medicare pays 80%. That 20% applies to the monthly rental, so it recurs each month. A Medigap plan may cover part or all of the coinsurance.

What happens after 36 months of oxygen rental?

Medicare's payment for the equipment stops after 36 rental payments, but the supplier keeps ownership and must continue furnishing oxygen for as long as you need it, up to 5 years from when you started. You keep the same equipment and supplier.

Who qualifies for home oxygen through Medicare?

Your doctor has to document a medical need. Medicare's page describes qualifying situations as not getting enough oxygen, a health condition that might improve with oxygen therapy, and an arterial blood gas level within a certain range measured by a test your doctor orders.

Learn More

MedicareHow Medicare Covers Durable Medical EquipmentHow Medicare durable medical equipment coverage works: the 5 rules for covered DME, your 20% cost, the enrolled-supplier rule, and rent vs. buy in 2026. MedicareHow Much Does Medicare Cost?How much does Medicare cost in 2026? Part A, B, C, and D premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance, plus IRMAA and ways to lower your Medicare costs. MedicareOriginal Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to ChooseCompare original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage on cost, networks, the $9,250 cap, and switching back. A neutral 2026 side-by-side to help you choose.

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The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.