Yes, Medicare covers oxygen at home when your dad's doctor prescribes it. Part B treats it as durable medical equipment, so you rent the gear from a supplier and, after the Part B deductible, 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.

That covers the concentrator or tanks, the tubing, and the other accessories that make the system work, for use in your own home.

Do You Qualify for Medicare-Covered Oxygen?

You need to meet all three of Medicare's conditions:

  • Your doctor or other health care provider says you aren't getting enough oxygen.
  • Your health might improve with oxygen therapy.
  • Your arterial blood gas level falls in the range Medicare sets.

You may also be eligible if you have certain conditions, like cluster headaches, that aren't related to arterial blood gas levels. Medicare's page doesn't list the exact range, so ask the doctor's office whether your test result meets it.

Getting started. It begins with the doctor: they check whether you meet the conditions above and, if you do, prescribe the oxygen. Then you pick a Medicare-enrolled supplier to provide the equipment (more on that below).

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.

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 if you use gaseous or liquid oxygen, 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. The dollar amount depends on the monthly rental amount Medicare approves for your equipment, so ask your supplier what it is. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap), check what it covers before you assume the full share is yours: some standardized plans, such as Plan G, pay the Part B coinsurance.

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. Here's the timeline:

  • Months 1 to 36: you rent from a Medicare-enrolled supplier, and Medicare pays the monthly rental. You owe 20% after the deductible.
  • After month 36, up to year 5: Medicare's payment for the equipment ends, but the supplier must keep furnishing the equipment (and the oxygen, for tank or liquid systems) for as long as you need it. You may owe coinsurance for maintenance visits (below).
  • At year 5 and beyond: the supplier's obligation ends. If you still need oxygen, you get new equipment and a new 36-month payment period starts.

The supplier that furnished your equipment in the 36th month is the one on the hook. If you move outside that supplier's normal service area, it has to arrange for another supplier to take over. You can also choose to get your equipment from a different supplier before the 36 months are up.

The costs don't stop completely, though. If you use an oxygen concentrator or equipment that fills portable tanks at home, you may owe coinsurance every 6 months for maintenance and servicing, starting 6 months after the 36-month period ends. The supplier can't charge you for that service unless they come to your home to inspect and service the equipment.

At the 5-year mark, the supplier is no longer obligated to keep furnishing it, so if you still need oxygen then, you get new equipment and Medicare begins a new 36-month payment period. There's no limit to how many times you can get replacement equipment, and the new equipment doesn't have to come from the supplier you used before.

Does Medicare Advantage Cover Home Oxygen Too?

Yes, though the rules work differently. 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.

What If the Supplier Says No or Medicare Denies It?

Two different problems can come up. If a supplier won't accept assignment, you can ask another Medicare-enrolled supplier, since the supplier has to tell you up front whether it will accept assignment for the full rental. If Medicare itself denies a claim, you can appeal. For Original Medicare the first step is a redetermination, which you request within 120 days of the date you receive the claim decision on your Medicare Summary Notice. A free counselor at your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you file an appeal. For more, see how Medicare appeals work.

Your Next Steps

  • Ask the doctor whether your test results meet Medicare's oxygen conditions, and get the prescription.
  • Find a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), which has real people on the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.
  • Ask the supplier three things: Do you accept assignment for all 36 monthly rental claims? What is the approved monthly amount, so I can figure my 20%? Who do I call if the equipment breaks?
  • Get free, unbiased help from your local SHIP, which you can find at shiphelp.org or by calling 1-877-839-2675.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your supplier needs to be enrolled in Medicare, and that matters more than it sounds: for certain supplies and equipment, Medicare only pays if the supplier is enrolled and accepts assignment. Before it furnishes oxygen equipment, the supplier also has to tell you whether it will accept assignment for all of the monthly rental claims. If the supplier accepts assignment, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible. A supplier that doesn't participate in Medicare or won't accept assignment may charge you more. And because oxygen is rented rather than bought, you want a supplier willing to accept assignment for every one of the rental months, or you can end up paying the full cost of the equipment upfront and waiting on Medicare to reimburse you. 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.

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. Some Medigap plans, such as Plan G, pay the Part B coinsurance, so check yours.

What happens after 36 months of oxygen rental?

Medicare's payment for the equipment stops after 36 rental payments, but the supplier must keep furnishing your oxygen equipment for as long as you need it, up to 5 years from when you started. If you use a concentrator or a home tank-filling system, you may owe coinsurance for a maintenance visit every 6 months after that. If you still need oxygen after 5 years, you get new equipment and Medicare starts a new 36-month payment period.

Does Medicare cover portable oxygen or oxygen for travel?

Medicare's coverage page describes equipment for use in your home, and it doesn't spell out portable or travel setups. Before you sign on with a supplier, ask what portable equipment comes with the monthly rental and whether it covers trips away from home. Get the answer before you rely on it.

Who qualifies for home oxygen through Medicare?

You need all three: your doctor says you aren't getting enough oxygen, oxygen therapy might improve your health, and your blood gas test falls in Medicare's range. You may also qualify with certain conditions, like cluster headaches, that aren't tied to blood gas levels.

Learn More

MedicareHow Medicare Covers Durable Medical EquipmentHow Medicare durable medical equipment coverage works in 2026: the 5 rules for DME, your 20% share when the supplier accepts assignment, and rent vs. buy. MedicareDoes Medicare Cover a CPAP Machine for Sleep Apnea?Yes, Medicare covers CPAP for diagnosed sleep apnea, but in two stages: a 12-week trial you must pass, then 20% of the rental and supplies you pay yourself. 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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