Mobility is the default setting in home oxygen

Home respiratory is a cornerstone of the HME industry, but manufacturers and providers are redefining what success in the market looks like: Oxygen therapy that keeps pace with patients, durable equipment for everyday demands, and service models that protect margins. 

“Since COVID, we have seen rapid adoption of portable oxygen concentrators (POC) as patients, clinicians and providers increasingly choose POCs over legacy modalities like tanks and transfill,” said Mitch Yoel, COO of Rhythm Healthcare. “The market is prioritizing technology that unlocks mobility and quality of life, not just oxygen delivery. As a result, technology-forward modalities—particularly POCs—have become the fastest-growing segment of the home oxygen market.” 

The old playbook is broadening 

The growth drivers for home respiratory are familiar: an aging population, chronic respiratory and sleep conditions, and care continuing to move into the home. But patient complexity is reshaping the market, says George Koos, vice president of product, marketing and strategy at React Health. 

“Home respiratory care now spans younger patients, post-acute populations, neuromuscular disease and pediatrics,” he said. 

Josep Fernandez, vice president, global sales at CAIRE, sees the same widening lens, plus a shift in how patients play a larger role in their health care. 

“The demographic is broadening: More users are digitally comfortable, more active and more engaged in their therapy decisions,” said Fernandez. 

And that shift changes what patients want in a device. 

“Patients consistently tell us they want clinically robust therapy in compact, lightweight solutions that can be worn discreetly and keep up with their daily lives,” Fernandez said. “Increasingly, they also value smart features that personalize oxygen delivery to their breathing patterns and support confidence and independence.” 

Tech is earning its keep 

As more patients manage oxygen therapy in the background of everyday life, connectivity is increasingly expected, not optional, says Kevin Smith, president and CEO of Inogen. 

“Looking ahead, the shift will be toward connected next-gen POCs, with broader use of gateways to connect the in-market devices,” said Smith. “We also expect deeper integration of biosensors and data services, enabling more proactive, continuous care models.” 

But when it comes to tech like artificial intelligence (AI), the goal is to reinforce strained teams without thinning out the human side of care, Yoel says. 

“AI is valuable when it reduces touches, improves speed and lowers cost, not when it is bolted on for marketing,” said Yoel. “Currently, I see it playing a role in predictive service triage, call center and case processing efficiency, and in inventory and parts forecasting.” 

Inogen’s Smith expects, longer term, that tech will also have impact clinically, once connectivity and data are mature enough to support it at scale. 

“Over time, AI’s biggest impact will be on the clinical side, where population-level data can support diagnosis, therapy optimization and earlier intervention – driving more data-driven, scalable respiratory care,” he said. 

Uptime is the margin 

For providers, the economics of oxygen are straightforward: Devices create value when they are in use supporting patients, not when they are off the board waiting on service. That reality is putting new emphasis on uptime and on the systems that keep fleets performing consistently over time, Yoel says. 

“DME providers today are being squeezed by rising labor costs, tighter margins, and a repair model that creates downtime, administrative drag, and unnecessary capital tied up,” he said. 

Rhythm orients warranty support around fast replacement – swapping qualified warranty issues with brand-new units instead of routing them through repair or refurbishment – and extending coverage on core stationary and POCs from three years to five. 

CAIRE’s approach is to keep equipment in service longer through repair capacity and trained technicians. 

“Extending the life of equipment responsibly is a key lever in today’s environment,” said Fernandez. “CAIRE supports this through our own and Authorized Service Center Network for in- and out-of-warranty repairs, offering regional convenience and predictable turnaround.” 

As for Inogen, Smith says uptime starts with the device itself, pointing to an expected service life of up to eight years for POCs, buttressed by extended warranty coverage. 

A reimbursement lever to watch 

Technology is moving fast, but payment still shapes what providers can sustainably deliver. Smith points to a bill currently under consideration called the Supplemental Oxygen Reform Access (SOAR) Act that could lead to higher reimbursement and help stabilize Medicare support for POCs and similar equipment. 

“If this bill advances to a vote in the full House or Senate, it could benefit patients who rely on long-term oxygen therapy,” he said.