Does Medicare Cover Inogen?

Inogen units are lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators. Medicare does cover Inogen units for qualifying beneficiaries. 

Does Medicare Cover Inogen? 

Medicare covers portable oxygen concentrators, including Inogen, for beneficiaries who qualify under Medicare rules. Inogen is covered as durable medical equipment under Medicare Part B.

Medicare may cover Inogen portable concentrators for enrollees with COPD, pneumonia and other lung conditions. However, Medicare only provides coverage if the following conditions are met: 

• A doctor states that the enrollee has severe lung disease or is not getting sufficient oxygen. 
• The enrollee's health would improve with supplemental oxygen. 
• The enrollee's arterial blood oxygen saturation must be below 88%.
• Other measures have not improved the enrollee's oxygen intake.

Medicare Part B covers the portable oxygen concentrator and necessary equipment such as tubing and connectors. 

How Much Does Medicare Help With Inogen Price?

Original Medicare does cover Inogen, but the beneficiary is responsible for the Part B deductible and a 20% copay. Medicare Part B generally requires beneficiaries to rent, rather than purchase, an oxygen concentrator. The concentrator and supplies must come from a Medicare-approved supplier.

What Is Inogen?

People who need supplemental oxygen therapy may be interested in portable oxygen concentrators such as Inogen. These units continuously concentrate oxygen from the air. The unit's user breathes in the supplemental oxygen, usually through a nasal cannula attached to the Inogen unit.

Portable oxygen concentrators can be used instead of large oxygen tanks, which can be heavy and difficult to move around. Portable concentrators are small and often use a rechargeable battery for power. 

Inogen portable oxygen concentrators are particularly small and lightweight. The newest model weighs only 3.3 pounds and can run for several hours on a single battery charge. Inogen is small enough to be worn over the shoulder in a small carrying case, and some are TSA-approved for use on airplanes. These concentrators give those in need of supplemental oxygen the freedom to shop, drive and travel. 

Inogen Oxygen Concentrator Cost Without Insurance

The price of portable Inogen units vary by model, but the company's smallest and lightest portable option costs around $3,600. The initial cost is higher than for a less-portable traditional oxygen canister system. However, Inogen doesn't require the user to purchase more oxygen, and Inogen units last for many years.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement plans and find a plan that could help pay the out-of-pocket Medicare costs for your Inogen or other brand of oxygen concentrators.