Oxygen Patients Worried

Those who use oxygen tanks are concerned after a new Medicare plan was announced.

Under the plan, supply providers will no longer be reimbursed for rental or unscheduled maintenance of equipment for patients who have been on oxygen for 36 months or longer.

This has raised concern for oxygen patients in the Big Country.

Hendrick Medical Supply Director Pam McElrath says, "We want to make sure that there's emergency coverage...that those patients are taken care of just like they are now.  We're working to make sure that their service is still going to be quality; that there's still going to be service available."

McElrath describes some of the key differences in the new plan, saying, "Refills on oxygen are going to be billed...you're going to see providers trying to send those all at one time in the month, instead of one at a time."

Administrators with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have sent a letter to Washington requesting that the final ruling be delayed. 

They are concerned with some of the details that will effect the quality of care for the patients.  Some of their other concerns include the sensitive administration of oxygen and the complex maintenance and repair of the equipment.