Charism, does your mother have Medicare? And is the "supplement" a Medigap Plan, or some other type plan? These are the first things to find out.
Have your contacted the office of the prescribing doctor? They should be able to help guide you through the DME oxygen channels to help you determine what your mother is entitled to through her insurance.
My father was scripted for oxygen, initially at night, then 24/7, through his pulmonologist's office. One nurse was well versed in oxygen supply, DMEs and what's available and what's not, as well as the criteria for oxygen 24/7. She was always helpful whenever I had questions.
At the time of my father's initial beginning use of oxygen, he qualified for it at night, but not during the day. However, eventually he qualified for 24/7 use.
The DME supplier of oxygen selected by the pulmonologist's office brought "E" (large, 6 hour tanks at 2 liters per hour flow) as well as the supplies, all of which were paid for by Medicare. Eventually they also provided a portable unit with interchangeable batteries, for out of home use.
This is another issue to address, i.e., whether a portable unit can be provided for transit during trips to medical facilities or elsewhere, or if your mother would need the larger E tanks. You should have them as backup anyway.
When my father's area suffered a several day long power outage, he couldn't stay in his home b/c at that time he hadn't been provided with any E tanks. He only had the 2 hour portable tanks, which had to be changed every 2 hours. That wouldn't have been a problem other than it required getting up every 2 hours to change the battery.
If Medicare doesn't cover the oxygen, and her secondary insurance doesn't cover it either *fully*, then your mother is on the hook for the remainder. My mother has Anthem PPA and her oxygen is NOT covered to the tune of $14/month so I have it paid automatically from her debit card monthly. I don't know what 'suggestions' there are to try except to pay for the oxygen out of pocket.
Medicare has been really weird with paying for o2 for the last few years, its annoying.
Have your contacted the office of the prescribing doctor? They should be able to help guide you through the DME oxygen channels to help you determine what your mother is entitled to through her insurance.
My father was scripted for oxygen, initially at night, then 24/7, through his pulmonologist's office. One nurse was well versed in oxygen supply, DMEs and what's available and what's not, as well as the criteria for oxygen 24/7. She was always helpful whenever I had questions.
At the time of my father's initial beginning use of oxygen, he qualified for it at night, but not during the day. However, eventually he qualified for 24/7 use.
The DME supplier of oxygen selected by the pulmonologist's office brought "E" (large, 6 hour tanks at 2 liters per hour flow) as well as the supplies, all of which were paid for by Medicare. Eventually they also provided a portable unit with interchangeable batteries, for out of home use.
This is another issue to address, i.e., whether a portable unit can be provided for transit during trips to medical facilities or elsewhere, or if your mother would need the larger E tanks. You should have them as backup anyway.
When my father's area suffered a several day long power outage, he couldn't stay in his home b/c at that time he hadn't been provided with any E tanks. He only had the 2 hour portable tanks, which had to be changed every 2 hours. That wouldn't have been a problem other than it required getting up every 2 hours to change the battery.