Medicare's guidelines for in-home oxygen therapy qualification are very straightforward. (For your information, "in-home" means in a patient's place of residence. That can be their own home, an apartment, a continuing care retirement community, a board and care home, an assisted living facility, a nursing home or any other type of permanent residence.)

To qualify for in-home oxygen therapy under Medicare, two conditions must be met:

• Oxygen therapy must be medically necessary for the treatment of your medical condition, AND
  
• Your doctor must give you a written order for oxygen therapy.

If you do qualify, your oxygen supplies, basic equipment and related accessories (such as oxygen tubing) will be covered under Medicare's Part B as durable medical equipment and medical supplies, according to the Medicare's guidelines.

What will you pay? After you have paid your Part B deductible each year (in 2008, that's $135) for all Part B covered services or items, including doctor's visits, oxygen therapy supplies and equipment, etc., Medicare will pay 80% of the costs. You (or your supplemental insurance company) must pay the remaining 20% of the ongoing charges for your oxygen therapy.

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