Tag: Liquid oxygen
High-flow patients, providers caught in liquid oxygen squeeze
July 24, 2026Tracy Orzel, Managing Editor
PELHAM, Ala. – A new survey shines a light on limited access to high-flow home oxygen and the resulting delays in hospital discharges and added costs and risks to patients. O’Neal Medical is among a shrinking number of HME providers still offering it.
Vice President Woody O’Neal says reimbursement changes have made the service increasingly difficult to sustain, even as it remains medically necessary for certain high-flow patients.
HME News: Why does O’Neal Medical continue...
Survey finds oxygen access issues delay hospital discharges
July 8, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Limited access to high-flow home oxygen is delaying hospital discharges and adding costs and risks for patients and the health care system, according to a national survey by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). In the survey, 94% of 54 respiratory clinicians at 40 medical centers nationwide reported at least one discharge delay per month related to oxygen access issues. One-third reported six or more patients experiencing delays each month. Most delays added two or more...
In brief: Oxygen access issues, wearable adoption barriers, N.C. rate floor
July 2, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Limited access to high-flow home oxygen is delaying hospital discharges and adding costs and risks for patients and the health care system, according to a national survey by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). In the survey, 94% of 54 respiratory clinicians at 40 medical centers nationwide reported at least one discharge delay per month related to oxygen access issues. One-third reported six or more patients experiencing delays each month. Most delays added two or more...
Stakeholders urge House committee to advance SOAR Act
July 2, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare, the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) and the VGM Group are urging leaders of the House Energy & Commerce Committee to take up and pass the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR Act) before the August recess. In a June 30 letter to Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the organizations said H.R. 2902 should move independently from other pending DME-related legislation to avoid slowing its progress. “The issues it...
Group: Final rule didn't go far enough on liquid oxygen
November 6, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A group of patient and physician groups has expressed its disappointment that CMS did not carve out liquid oxygen from its competitive bidding program in a recently released final rule. “Despite CMS's acknowledgement of the problems facing patients, especially those who require liquid oxygen, we are disappointed that the administration chose not to use its full statutory authority to ensure that all patients who require supplemental oxygen receive the treatment they need, or even...
Respiratory groups issue rallying cry
October 10, 2018HME News Staff
CHICAGO - The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, American Lung Association, COPD Foundation and the American Association of Respiratory Care are asking individuals to call their lawmakers and ask them to support a proposed rule from CMS that would increase their access to liquid oxygen. Ever since reduced reimbursement went into effect as part of the competitive bidding program and the number of companies offering liquid oxygen subsquently dwindled, individuals who were on portable liquid oxygen have...
Coalition wants liquid oxygen out of bid program
September 7, 2018HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - A coalition of 20 patient and physician groups is asking CMS to remove liquid oxygen from its competitive bidding program.“For too long, patients who require a high-liter flow of oxygen have not been able to leave their homes, jeopardizing their physical and mental health and quality of life,” stated seven organizations leading the coalition. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and healthy life and, together, we ask CMS to use its existing authority to...