CMS proposes changes to NCD for oxygen

WASHINGTON – CMS wants to modify the national coverage determination (NCD) for home use of oxygen to expand patient access to oxygen and oxygen equipment and permit the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to cover their use to treat cluster headaches and other acute conditions, according to a proposed decision memo. 

The agency also wants to remove the NCD for home oxygen use to treat cluster headache, ending coverage with evidence development. 

The scope of the decision does not include: any consideration of home use of oxygen in approved clinical trials; and any consideration of hyperbaric oxygen for any indication. 

CMS wants to make the changes “given new information in the peer-reviewed medical literature.” 

The agency is collecting comments on the proposed changes until Aug. 1. Then it plans to publish a finalized NCD for home use of oxygen.