Oxygen rental payments
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Bill (S 3814) introduced Aug. 3 by Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) would kill a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act that stops rental payments to oxygen tank providers after 36 months. The targeted provision in the DRA would have transferred ownership of oxygen equipment to the beneficiary after 18 months of use; however, Invacare rallied members of Congress to extend payments 1("The Gray Sheet" Jan. 2, 2006, p. 12). "The Home Oxygen Patient Act of 2006" would ensure that CMS rents the equipment on behalf of beneficiaries for as long as they require it. Sen. Roberts states that giving patients ownership of the tanks is "an unreasonable burden and worry for seniors who are very ill." Companion legislation was introduced in the House in May...