What happens to my oxygen equipment after 5 years?
At the end of the 5-year period, your supplier’s obligation to continuefurnishing your oxygen and oxygen equipment ends, and you may elect toobtain replacement equipment from any supplier. A new 36-month paymentperiod and 5-year supplier obligation period start once the old 5-year periodends and the new oxygen and oxygen equipment you require is furnished.
What if I’m away from home for an extended period of time or Imove to another area during the 36-month period?
If you travel away from home for an extended period of time (several weeks ormonths) or permanently move to another area during the 36-month rentalperiod, ask your current supplier if they can help you find a supplier in thenew area. If your supplier can’t help you locate an oxygen supplier in the areawhere you are visiting or moving to, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.What if I’m away from home for an extended period of time or Imove to another area after the 36-month period? If you travel or move after the 36-month rental period ends, your supplier hasbeen paid for furnishing your equipment for 5 years and is generallyresponsible for ensuring that you are provided with oxygen and oxygenequipment in the new area. Your supplier may choose to make arrangementsfor a different supplier in your new area to provide the oxygen and oxygenequipment. However, a supplier may not charge you for the equipment,supplies, accessories or other services identified above that are provided afterthe 36-month rental payment period. The only exceptions to this rule arenoted above.
What if my supplier refuses to continue providing my oxygenequipment and related services as required by law?
If your supplier is not following Medicare laws and rules, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. A customer service representative will refer your case to the appropriate area.
Showing posts with label Question and answer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Question and answer. Show all posts
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Medicare will pay for rent or purchasing DME ?
How will I know if I can buy durable medical equipment or whether Medicare will only pay for me to rent it?
If your supplier is a Medicare-enrolled supplier, they will know whether Medicare allows you to buy a particular kind of durable medical equipment,or just pays for you to rent it. Medicare pays for most durable medical equipment on a rental basis. Medicare only purchases inexpensive or routinely purchased items, such as canes; power wheelchairs; and, in rare cases, items that must be made specifically for you.
Buying equipment
If you own Medicare-covered durable medical equipment and other devices, Medicare may also cover repairs and replacement parts. Medicare will pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for purchase of the item. Medicare will also pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount (up to the cost of replacing the item)for repairs. You pay the other 20%. Your costs may be higher if the supplier doesn’t accept assignment. Note:The equipment you buy may be replaced if it’s lost,stolen, damaged beyond repair, or used for more than the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment.
Renting equipment
If you rent durable medical equipment and other devices,Medicare makes monthly payments for use of the equipment. The rules for how long monthly payments continue vary based on the type of equipment. Total rental payments for inexpensive or routinely purchased items are limited to the fee Medicare sets to purchase the item. If you will need these items for more than a few months, you may decide to purchase these items rather than rent them. Monthly payments for frequently serviced items, such as ventilators, are made as long as the equipment is medically necessary. The payment rules for other types of rented equipment,called “capped rental items,” are on page 10. Medicare will pay80% of the Medicare-approved amount each month for use of these items. You pay the other 20% after you pay the Medicare Part B deductible ($135 in 2009).The supplier will pick up the equipment when you no longer need it. Any costs for repairs or replacement parts for the rented equipment are the supplier’s responsibility.
The supplier will also pick up the rented equipment if it needs repairs. You don’t have to bring the rented equipment back to the supplier.
If your supplier is a Medicare-enrolled supplier, they will know whether Medicare allows you to buy a particular kind of durable medical equipment,or just pays for you to rent it. Medicare pays for most durable medical equipment on a rental basis. Medicare only purchases inexpensive or routinely purchased items, such as canes; power wheelchairs; and, in rare cases, items that must be made specifically for you.
Buying equipment
If you own Medicare-covered durable medical equipment and other devices, Medicare may also cover repairs and replacement parts. Medicare will pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for purchase of the item. Medicare will also pay 80% of the Medicare-approved amount (up to the cost of replacing the item)for repairs. You pay the other 20%. Your costs may be higher if the supplier doesn’t accept assignment. Note:The equipment you buy may be replaced if it’s lost,stolen, damaged beyond repair, or used for more than the reasonable useful lifetime of the equipment.
Renting equipment
If you rent durable medical equipment and other devices,Medicare makes monthly payments for use of the equipment. The rules for how long monthly payments continue vary based on the type of equipment. Total rental payments for inexpensive or routinely purchased items are limited to the fee Medicare sets to purchase the item. If you will need these items for more than a few months, you may decide to purchase these items rather than rent them. Monthly payments for frequently serviced items, such as ventilators, are made as long as the equipment is medically necessary. The payment rules for other types of rented equipment,called “capped rental items,” are on page 10. Medicare will pay80% of the Medicare-approved amount each month for use of these items. You pay the other 20% after you pay the Medicare Part B deductible ($135 in 2009).The supplier will pick up the equipment when you no longer need it. Any costs for repairs or replacement parts for the rented equipment are the supplier’s responsibility.
The supplier will also pick up the rented equipment if it needs repairs. You don’t have to bring the rented equipment back to the supplier.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)