HCPCS CODES:
EQUIPMENT:
Group 1 Codes:
E0424 STATIONARY COMPRESSED GASEOUS OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; INCLUDES CONTAINER, CONTENTS, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, NEBULIZER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0425 STATIONARY COMPRESSED GAS SYSTEM, PURCHASE; INCLUDES REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, NEBULIZER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0430 PORTABLE GASEOUS OXYGEN SYSTEM, PURCHASE; INCLUDES REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0431 PORTABLE GASEOUS OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; INCLUDES PORTABLE CONTAINER, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0433 PORTABLE LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; HOME LIQUEFIER USED TO FILL PORTABLE LIQUID OXYGEN CONTAINERS, INCLUDES PORTABLE CONTAINERS, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, CANNULA OR MASK AND TUBING, WITH OR WITHOUT SUPPLY RESERVOIR AND CONTENTS GAUGE
E0434 PORTABLE LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; INCLUDES PORTABLE CONTAINER, SUPPLY RESERVOIR, HUMIDIFIER, FLOWMETER, REFILL ADAPTOR, CONTENTS GAUGE, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0435 PORTABLE LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, PURCHASE; INCLUDES PORTABLE CONTAINER, SUPPLY RESERVOIR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, CONTENTS GAUGE, CANNULA OR MASK, TUBING AND REFILL ADAPTOR
E0439 STATIONARY LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; INCLUDES CONTAINER, CONTENTS, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, NEBULIZER, CANNULA OR MASK, & TUBING
E0440 STATIONARY LIQUID OXYGEN SYSTEM, PURCHASE; INCLUDES USE OF RESERVOIR, CONTENTS INDICATOR, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, NEBULIZER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
E0441 STATIONARY OXYGEN CONTENTS, GASEOUS, 1 MONTH’S SUPPLY = 1 UNIT
E0442 STATIONARY OXYGEN CONTENTS, LIQUID, 1 MONTH’S SUPPLY = 1 UNIT
E0443 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONTENTS, GASEOUS, 1 MONTH’S SUPPLY = 1 UNIT
E0444 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONTENTS, LIQUID, 1 MONTH’S SUPPLY = 1 UNIT
E0445 OXIMETER DEVICE FOR MEASURING BLOOD OXYGEN LEVELS NON-INVASIVELY
E0446 TOPICAL OXYGEN DELIVERY SYSTEM, NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, INCLUDES ALL SUPPLIES AND ACCESSORIES
E1390 OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR, SINGLE DELIVERY PORT, CAPABLE OF DELIVERING 85 PERCENT OR GREATER OXYGEN CONCENTRATION AT THE PRESCRIBED FLOW RATE
E1391 OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR, DUAL DELIVERY PORT, CAPABLE OF DELIVERING 85 PERCENT OR GREATER OXYGEN CONCENTRATION AT THE PRESCRIBED FLOW RATE, EACH
E1392 PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR, RENTAL
E1405 OXYGEN AND WATER VAPOR ENRICHING SYSTEM WITH HEATED DELIVERY
E1406 OXYGEN AND WATER VAPOR ENRICHING SYSTEM WITHOUT HEATED DELIVERY
K0738 PORTABLE GASEOUS OXYGEN SYSTEM, RENTAL; HOME COMPRESSOR USED TO FILL PORTABLE OXYGEN CYLINDERS; INCLUDES PORTABLE CONTAINERS, REGULATOR, FLOWMETER, HUMIDIFIER, CANNULA OR MASK, AND TUBING
Group 2 Paragraph: ACCESSORIES:
Group 2 Codes:
A4575 TOPICAL HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER, DISPOSABLE
A4606 OXYGEN PROBE FOR USE WITH OXIMETER DEVICE, REPLACEMENT
A4608 TRANSTRACHEAL OXYGEN CATHETER, EACH
A4615 CANNULA, NASAL
A4616 TUBING (OXYGEN), PER FOOT
A4617 MOUTH PIECE
A4619 FACE TENT
A4620 VARIABLE CONCENTRATION MASK
A7525 TRACHEOSTOMY MASK, EACH
A9900 MISCELLANEOUS DME SUPPLY, ACCESSORY, AND/OR SERVICE COMPONENT OF ANOTHER HCPCS CODE
E0455 OXYGEN TENT, EXCLUDING CROUP OR PEDIATRIC TENTS
E0555 HUMIDIFIER, DURABLE, GLASS OR AUTOCLAVABLE PLASTIC BOTTLE TYPE, FOR USE WITH REGULATOR OR FLOWMETER
E0580 NEBULIZER, DURABLE, GLASS OR AUTOCLAVABLE PLASTIC, BOTTLE TYPE, FOR USE WITH REGULATOR OR FLOWMETER
E1352 OXYGEN ACCESSORY, FLOW REGULATOR CAPABLE OF POSITIVE INSPIRATORY PRESSURE
E1353 REGULATOR
E1354 OXYGEN ACCESSORY, WHEELED CART FOR PORTABLE CYLINDER OR PORTABLE CONCENTRATOR, ANY TYPE, REPLACEMENT ONLY, EACH
E1355 STAND/RACK
E1356 OXYGEN ACCESSORY, BATTERY PACK/CARTRIDGE FOR PORTABLE CONCENTRATOR, ANY TYPE, REPLACEMENT ONLY, EACH
E1357 OXYGEN ACCESSORY, BATTERY CHARGER FOR PORTABLE CONCENTRATOR, ANY TYPE, REPLACEMENT ONLY, EACH
E1358 OXYGEN ACCESSORY, DC POWER ADAPTER FOR PORTABLE CONCENTRATOR, ANY TYPE, REPLACEMENT ONLY, EACH
Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment
For stationary and portable oxygen equipment furnished on or after January 1, 2006, a 36-month cap applies on monthly payments. A listing of the applicable HCPCS codes is available in Chapter 5 of the Supplier Manual.
For stationary and portable oxygen equipment and oxygen contents furnished prior to January 1, 2006, payments were made for the duration of use of the equipment when medically necessary.
Contractors began the 36-month count on January 1, 2006, for beneficiaries that were receiving oxygen therapy prior to January 1, 2006. Months prior to January 1, 2006, are not included in the 36-month count.
On the first day after the 36th month anniversary for which payment has been made, the supplier must transfer the title for the stationary and/or portable oxygen equipment to the beneficiary. On that same day, the title for the equipment is transferred to the patient and monthly payments can begin to be made for oxygen contents used with patient owned gaseous and liquid oxygen equipment.
Modifiers appropriate for oxygen and oxygen equipment are:
• RR Rental
• QE Use if the prescribed amount of oxygen is less than 1 LPM
• QF Use if the prescribed amount of oxygen exceeds 4 LPM and portable oxygen is prescribed
• QG Use if the prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 LPM
• QH Use if an oxygen conserving device is being used with an oxygen delivery system
Coverage Guidance
Coverage Indications, Limitations, and/or Medical Necessity
For any item to be covered by Medicare, it must 1) be eligible for a defined Medicare benefit category, 2) be reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member, and 3) meet all other applicable Medicare statutory and regulatory requirements. For the items addressed in this local coverage determination, the criteria for “reasonable and necessary”, based on Social Security Act §1862(a)(1)(A) provisions, are defined by the following coverage indications, limitations and/or medical necessity.
Medicare does not automatically assume payment for a durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) item that was covered prior to a beneficiary becoming eligible for the Medicare Fee For Service (FFS) program. When a beneficiary receiving a DMEPOS item from another payer (including Medicare Advantage plans) becomes eligible for the Medicare FFS program, Medicare will pay for continued use of the DMEPOS item only if all Medicare coverage, coding and documentation requirements are met. Additional documentation to support that the item is reasonable and necessary, may be required upon request of the DME MAC.
For an item to be covered by Medicare, a detailed written order (DWO) must be received by the supplier before a claim is submitted. If the supplier bills for an item addressed in this policy without first receiving the completed order, the item will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
For some items in this policy to be covered by Medicare, a written order prior to delivery (WOPD) is required. Refer to the DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS section of this LCD and to the NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES section of the related Policy Article for information about WOPD prescription requirements
Home oxygen is covered only when both the reasonable and necessary criteria discussed below and the statutory criteria discussed in the Policy Article are met. Refer to the Policy Article for additional information on statutory payment policy requirements.
Home oxygen therapy is reasonable and necessary only if all of the following conditions are met:
The treating physician has determined that the beneficiary has a severe lung disease or hypoxia-related symptoms that might be expected to improve with oxygen therapy, and
The beneficiary’s blood gas study meets the criteria stated below, and
The qualifying blood gas study was performed by a physician or by a qualified provider or supplier of laboratory services, and
The qualifying blood gas study was obtained under the following conditions:
If the qualifying blood gas study is performed during an inpatient hospital stay, the reported test must be the one obtained closest to, but no earlier than 2 days prior to the hospital discharge date, or
If the qualifying blood gas study is not performed during an inpatient hospital stay, the reported test must be performed while the beneficiary is in a chronic stable state – i.e., not during a period of acute illness or an exacerbation of their underlying disease, and
Alternative treatment measures have been tried or considered and deemed clinically ineffective.
In this policy, the term blood gas study refers to either an oximetry test or an arterial blood gas test.
Group I criteria include any of the following:
An arterial PO 2 at or below 55 mm Hg or an arterial oxygen saturation at or below 88 percent taken at rest (awake), or
An arterial PO 2 at or below 55 mm Hg, or an arterial oxygen saturation at or below 88 percent, for at least 5 minutes taken during sleep for a beneficiary who demonstrates an arterial PO 2 at or above 56 mm Hg or an arterial oxygen saturation at or above 89 percent while awake, or
A decrease in arterial PO 2 more than 10 mm Hg, or a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation more than 5 percent from baseline saturation, for at least 5 minutes taken during sleep associated with symptoms (e.g., impairment of cognitive processes and [nocturnal restlessness or insomnia]) or signs (e.g., cor pulmonale, “P” pulmonale on EKG, documented pulmonary hypertension and erythrocytosis) reasonably attributable to hypoxemia, or
An arterial PO 2 at or below 55 mm Hg or an arterial oxygen saturation at or below 88 percent, taken during exercise for a beneficiary who demonstrates an arterial PO 2 at or above 56 mm Hg or an arterial oxygen saturation at or above 89 percent during the day while at rest. In this case, oxygen is provided for during exercise if it is documented that the use of oxygen improves the hypoxemia that was demonstrated during exercise when the beneficiary was breathing room air.
Initial coverage for beneficiaries meeting Group I criteria is limited to 12 months or the physician-specified length of need, whichever is shorter. (Refer to the Certification section for information on recertification.)
Group II criteria include the presence of
An arterial PO 2 of 56-59 mm Hg or an arterial blood oxygen saturation of 89 percent at rest (awake), during sleep for at least 5 minutes, or during exercise (as described under Group I criteria), and
Any of the following:
Dependent edema suggesting congestive heart failure, or
Pulmonary hypertension or cor pulmonale, determined by measurement of pulmonary artery pressure, gated blood pool scan, echocardiogram, or “P” pulmonale on EKG (P wave greater than 3 mm in standard leads II, III, or AVF), or
Erythrocythemia with a hematocrit greater than 56 percent.
Initial coverage for beneficiaries meeting Group II criteria is limited to 3 months or the physician specified length of need, whichever is shorter. (Refer to the Certification section for information on recertification.) Group III includes beneficiaries with arterial PO 2 levels at or above 60 mm Hg or arterial blood oxygen saturations at or above 90 percent. For these beneficiaries there is a rebuttable presumption of non-coverage.
If all of the coverage conditions specified above are not met, the oxygen therapy will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Oxygen therapy will also be denied as not reasonable and necessary if any of the following conditions are present:
Angina pectoris in the absence of hypoxemia. This condition is generally not the result of a low oxygen level in the blood and there are other preferred treatments.
Dyspnea without cor pulmonale or evidence of hypoxemia
Severe peripheral vascular disease resulting in clinically evident desaturation in one or more extremities but in the absence of systemic hypoxemia. There is no evidence that increased PO 2 will improve the oxygenation of tissues with impaired circulation.
Terminal illnesses that do not affect the respiratory system
LONG TERM OXYGEN THERAPY CLINICAL (LTOT) TRIALS
Oxygen and oxygen equipment is covered for beneficiaries who are enrolled subjects in clinical trials approved by CMS and sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and who have an arterial PO 2 from 56 to 65 mm Hg or an oxygen saturation at or above 89 percent. The additional Group 2 coverage criteria do not apply to these beneficiaries.
Refer to the APPENDICES section of this policy for additional information about approved clinical trials.
CLUSTER HEADACHES (CH):
Only a stationary gaseous oxygen system (E0424) and related contents (E0441) are covered for the treatment of cluster headaches for beneficiaries enrolled in a clinical trial approved by CMS which are in compliance with the requirements described in the CMS National Coverage Determination Manual (Internet Only Manual 100-03) §240.2.2 for dates of service on or after 01/04/2011. This section states, in part:
Only those beneficiaries diagnosed with the condition of cluster headache are eligible for participation in a clinical study. CMS adopts the diagnostic criteria used by the International Headache Society to form a definitive diagnosis of CH. Therefore, the home use of oxygen to treat CH is covered by Medicare only when furnished to Medicare beneficiaries who have had at least five severe to very severe unilateral headache attacks lasting 15-180 minutes when untreated. (Intensity of pain: Degree of pain usually expressed in terms of its functional consequence and scored on a verbal 5-point scale: 0=no pain; 1=mild pain, does not interfere with usual activities; 2=moderate pain, inhibits but does not wholly prevent usual activities; 3=severe pain, prevents all activities; 4=very severe pain. It may also be expressed on a visual analogue scale.)
The headaches must be accompanied by at least one of the following findings:
Ipsilateral conjunctival injection and/or lacrimation; or
Ipsilateral nasal congestion and/or rhinorrhea; or
Ipsilateral eyelid edema; or
Ipsilateral forehead and facial sweating; or
Ipsilateral miosis and/or ptosis; or
A sense of restlessness or agitation
Claims for oxygen equipment not meeting the criteria above will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
Claims for stationary oxygen equipment other than E0424 and all portable oxygen equipment used for cluster headaches will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
Claims for E0424 and E0441 used to treat cluster headaches follow the same payment rules for all other covered oxygen equipment. Refer to the related Policy Article for information on statutory payment rules and coding guidelines to be used for these claims.
Refer to the APPENDICES section of this policy for additional information about approved clinical trials.
Reference Diagnosis Codes that Support Medical Necessity section for applicable diagnoses.
TESTING SPECIFICATIONS:
General
For purposes of this policy:
“Blood gas study” shall refer to both arterial blood gas (ABG) studies and pulse oximetry
“Oximetry” shall refer to routine or “spot” pulse oximetry
“Overnight oximetry” shall refer to stand-alone pulse oximetry continuously recorded overnight. It does not include oximetry results done as part of other overnight testing such as polysomnography or home sleep testing.
Refer to the Positive Airway Pressure Devises used for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea policy for information on sleep tests used for the diagnosis of sleep apnea.
The qualifying blood gas study must be one that complies with the Fiscal Intermediary, Local Carrier, or A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) policy on the standards for conducting the test and is covered under Medicare Part A or Part B. This includes a requirement that the test be performed by a provider who is qualified to bill Medicare for the test – i.e., a Part A provider, a laboratory, an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF), or a physician. A supplier is not considered a qualified provider or a qualified laboratory for purposes of this policy. Blood gas studies performed by a supplier are not acceptable. In addition, the qualifying blood gas study may not be paid for by any supplier. These prohibitions do not extend to blood gas studies performed by a hospital certified to do such tests.
The qualifying blood gas study may be performed while the beneficiary is on oxygen as long as the reported blood gas values meet the Group I or Group II criteria.
When both arterial blood gas (ABG) and oximetry tests have been performed on the same day under the same conditions (i.e., at rest/awake, during exercise, or during sleep), the ABG result will be used to determine if the coverage criteria were met. If an ABG test done at rest and awake is non-qualifying, but either an exercise or sleep oximetry test on the same day is qualifying, the exercise or oximetry test result will determine coverage.
All oxygen qualification testing must be performed in-person by a physician or other medical professional qualified to conduct oximetry testing. With the exception of overnight oximetry (see below), unsupervised or remotely supervised home testing does not qualify as a valid test for purposes of Medicare reimbursement of home oxygen and oxygen equipment.
Exercise testing
When oxygen is covered based on an oximetry study obtained during exercise, there must be documentation of three (3) oximetry studies in the beneficiary’s medical record. (1) Testing at rest without oxygen, (2) testing during exercise without oxygen, and (3) testing during exercise with oxygen applied (to demonstrate the improvement of the hypoxemia) are required. All 3 tests must be performed within the same testing session. Exercise testing must be performed in-person by a physician or other medical professional qualified to conduct exercise oximetry testing. Unsupervised or remotely supervised home exercise testing does not qualify as a valid test for purposes of Medicare reimbursement of home oxygen and oxygen equipment. Only the testing during exercise without oxygen is used for qualification and reported on the CMN. The other two results do not have to be routinely submitted but must be available on request.
Oximetry obtained after exercise while resting, sometimes referred to as “recovery” testing, is not part of the three required test elements and is not valid for determining eligibility for oxygen coverage.
Overnight Oximetry Studies:
Overnight sleep oximetry may be performed in a facility or at home. For home overnight oximetry studies, the oximeter provided to the beneficiary must be tamper-proof and must have the capability to download data that allows documentation of the duration of oxygen desaturation below a specified value.
For all the overnight oximetry criteria described above, the 5 minutes does not have to be continuous. Baseline saturation is defined as the mean saturation level during the duration of the test. For purposes of meeting criterion 3 described in Group I above there must be a minimum of 2 hours test time recorded for sleep oximetry. The result must reach a qualifying test value otherwise the Group III presumption of non-coverage applies.
Home overnight oximetry is limited solely to stand-alone overnight pulse oximetry performed in the beneficiary’s home under the conditions specified below. Overnight oximetry performed as part of home sleep testing or as part of any other home testing is not considered to be eligible under this provision to be used for qualification for reimbursement of home oxygen and oxygen equipment even if the testing was performed in compliance with the requirements of this section.
Beneficiaries may self-administer home based overnight oximetry tests under the direction of a Medicare-enrolled Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF). A DME supplier or another shipping entity may deliver a pulse oximetry test unit and related technology to a beneficiary’s home under the following circumstances:
The beneficiary’s treating physician has contacted the IDTF to order an overnight pulse oximetry test before the test is performed.
The test is performed under the direction and/or instruction of a Medicare-approved IDTF. Because it is the beneficiary who self-administers this test, the IDTF must provide clear written instructions to the beneficiary on proper operation of the test equipment and must include access to the IDTF in order to address other concerns that may arise. The DME supplier may not create this written instruction, provide verbal instructions, answer questions from the beneficiary, apply or demonstrate the application of the testing equipment to the beneficiary, or otherwise participate in the conduct of the test.
The test unit is sealed and tamper-proof such that test results cannot be accessed by anyone other than the IDTF which is responsible for transmitting a test report to the treating physician. The DME supplier may use related technology to download test results from the testing unit and transmit those results to the IDTF. In no case may the DME supplier access or manipulate the test results in any form.
The IDTF must send the test results to the physician. The IDTF may send the test results to the supplier if the supplier is currently providing or has an order to provide oxygen or other respiratory services to the beneficiary or if the beneficiary has signed a release permitting the supplier to receive the report.
Oximetry test results obtained through a similar process as described for home overnight oximetry (see above) while the beneficiary is awake, either at rest or with exercise, may not be used for purposes of qualifying the beneficiary for home oxygen therapy.
Overnight oximetry does not include oximetry obtained during polysomnography or other sleep testing for sleep apnea, regardless of the location the testing was performed. See below for information on sleep testing that may be used to qualify for oxygen coverage.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Polysomnography and Home Sleep Tests:
Some beneficiaries may require the simultaneous use of home oxygen therapy with a PAP device. To be considered for simultaneous coverage, all requirements in the Coverage Indications, Limitations and/or Medical Necessity for both the Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea LCDs must be met. Consequently, in addition to this Oxygen LCD, suppliers should refer to the Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea LCD and related Policy Article for additional coverage, coding and documentation requirements.
Coverage of home oxygen therapy requires that the beneficiary be tested in the “chronic stable state.” Chronic stable state is a requirement of the National Coverage Determination (CMS Internet-only Manual, Pub. 100-03, Section 240.2) and is one of the key criteria when determining coverage of home oxygen therapy. The NCD defines chronic stable state as “…not during a period of an acute illness or an exacerbation of their underlying disease.” Based on this NCD definition, all co-existing diseases or conditions that can cause hypoxia must be treated and the beneficiary must be in a chronic stable state before oxygen therapy is considered eligible for payment. In addition, the beneficiary must have a severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diffuse interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, widespread pulmonary neoplasm, or hypoxia-related symptoms or findings that might be expected to improve with oxygen therapy. In the case of OSA, it is required that the OSA be appropriately and sufficiently treated such that the beneficiary is in the chronic stable state before oxygen saturation results obtained during sleep testing are considered qualifying for oxygen therapy (see PAP LCD for additional information).
For beneficiaries with OSA, this means that the OSA must be sufficiently treated such that the underlying severe lung disease is unmasked. This must be demonstrated before oxygen saturation results obtained during polysomnography are considered qualifying for oxygen therapy.
For beneficiaries with OSA, a qualifying oxygen saturation test may only occur during a titration polysomnographic study (either split night or stand-alone). The titration PSG is one in which all of the following criteria are met:
The titration is conducted over a minimum of two (2) hours; and
During titration:
The AHI/RDI is reduced to less than or equal to an average of ten (10) events per hour; or
If the initial AHI/RDI was less than an average of ten (10) events per hour, the titration demonstrates further reduction in the AHI/RDI; and
Nocturnal oximetry conducted for the purpose for oxygen reimbursement qualification may only be performed after optimal PAP settings have been determined and the beneficiary is using the PAP device at those settings; and
The nocturnal oximetry conducted during the PSG demonstrates an oxygen saturation = 88% for 5 minutes total (which need not be continuous)
If all of the above criteria are met, for the purposes of a qualifying oxygen saturation test, the beneficiary is considered to be in the “chronic stable state.” To be eligible for Medicare coverage and payment for home oxygen therapy for concurrent use with PAP therapy, in addition to being in the chronic stable state, the beneficiary must meet all other coverage requirements for oxygen therapy. Beneficiaries that qualify for oxygen therapy based on testing conducted only during the course of a sleep test are eligible only for reimbursement of stationary equipment.
Overnight oximetry performed as part of home sleep testing or as part of any other home testing is not considered as eligible to be used for qualification for reimbursement of home oxygen and oxygen equipment (see overnight oximetry section above for additional information).
Claims for oxygen equipment and supplies for beneficiaries who do not meet the coverage requirements for home oxygen therapy will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
CERTIFICATION:
An Initial, Recertification, or Revised CMN must be obtained and submitted in the situations described below. The Initial Date, Recertification Date, and Revised Date specified below refer to the dates reported in Section A of the CMN.
Initial CMN is required:
With the first claim for home oxygen, (even if the beneficiary was on oxygen prior to Medicare eligibility or oxygen was initially covered by a Medicare HMO).
During the first 36 months of the rental period, when there has been a change in the beneficiary’s condition that has caused a break in medical necessity of at least 60 days plus whatever days remain in the rental month during which the need for oxygen ended. Refer to the Policy Article NON-MEDICAL NECESSITY COVERAGE AND PAYMENT RULES for additional information.
When the equipment is replaced because the reasonable useful lifetime of prior equipment has been reached.
When the equipment is replaced because of irreparable damage, theft, or loss of the originally dispensed equipment.
Irreparable damage refers to a specific accident or to a natural disaster [e.g., fire, flood]
Irreparable damage does not refer to wear and tear over time
Testing and Visit Requirements:
Initial CMN for situations 1 and 2
The blood gas study must be the most recent study obtained within 30 days prior to the Initial Date.
For situation 1, there is an exception to the 30-day test requirement for beneficiaries who were started on oxygen while enrolled in a Medicare HMO and transition to fee-for-service Medicare. For those beneficiaries, the blood gas study does not have to be obtained 30 days prior to the Initial Date, but must be the most recent qualifying test obtained while in the HMO.
The beneficiary must be seen and evaluated by the treating physician within 30 days prior to the date of Initial Certification.
Initial CMN for scenarios 3 and 4 (replacement equipment)
Repeat blood gas testing is not required. Enter the most recent qualifying value and test date. This test does not have to be within 30 days prior to the Initial Date. It could be the test result reported on the most recent prior CMN.
There is no requirement for a physician visit that is specifically related to the completion of the CMN for replacement equipment.
Recertification CMN is required:
12 months after Initial Certification, (i.e., with the thirteenth month’s claim) for Group I
3 months after Initial Certification, (i.e., with the fourth month’s claim) for Group II
Testing and Visit Requirements:
Recertification following initial certification situations 1 and 2
For beneficiaries initially meeting Group I criteria, the most recent qualifying blood gas study prior to the thirteenth month of therapy must be reported on the Recertification CMN.
For beneficiaries initially meeting Group II criteria, the most recent blood gas study that was performed between the 61st and 90th day following Initial Certification must be reported on the Recertification CMN. If a qualifying test is not obtained between the 61st and 90th day of home oxygen therapy but the beneficiary continues to use oxygen and a test is obtained at a later date, if that test meets Group I or II criteria, coverage would resume beginning with the date of that test.
For beneficiaries initially meeting group I or II criteria, the beneficiary must be seen and re-evaluated by the treating physician within 90 days prior to the date of any Recertification. If the physician visit is not obtained within the 90-day window but the beneficiary continues to use oxygen and the visit is obtained at a later date, coverage would resume beginning with the date of that visit.
Recertification following initial situations 3 and 4 (replacement equipment)
Repeat testing is not required. Enter the most recent qualifying value and test date. This test does not have to be within 30 days prior to the Initial Date. It could be the test result reported on the most recent prior CMN.
There is no requirement for a physician visit that is specifically related to the completion of the CMN for replacement equipment.
Revised CMN is required:
When the prescribed maximum flow rate changes from one of the following categories to another:
Less than 1 LPM,
1-4 LPM,
Greater than 4 LPM
If the change is from category (a) or (b) to category (c), a repeat blood gas study with the beneficiary on 4 LPM must be performed.
When the length of need expires – if the physician specified less than lifetime length of need on the most recent CMN
When a portable oxygen system is added subsequent to Initial Certification of a stationary system
When a stationary system is added subsequent to Initial Certification of a portable system
When there is a new treating physician but the oxygen order is the same
If there is a new supplier and that supplier does not have the prior CMN
Submission of a Revised CMN does not change the Recertification schedule specified above.
If the indications for a Revised CMN are met at the same time that a Recertification CMN is due, file the CMN as a Recertification CMN.
Testing and Visit Requirements:
None of the Revised Certification situations (7-12) require a physician visit.
Revised Certification situations 7 and 8
The blood gas study must be the most recent study obtained within 30 days prior to the Initial Date.
Revised Certification situation 9
There is no requirement for a repeat blood gas study unless the initial qualifying study was performed during sleep, in which case a repeat blood gas study must be performed while the beneficiary is at rest (awake) or during exercise within 30 days prior to the Revised Date.
Revised Certifications situations 10-12
No blood gas study is required
For situations 11 and 12, the revised certification does NOT have to be submitted with the claim.
General:
Beneficiaries do not change group classification going from an initial certification to a recertification based upon changes in blood oxygen testing results. For example: A beneficiary initially qualifies for group II with an 89% oximetry value. At the 3-month retest a result of 87% is obtained. Despite the group I retesting value, the beneficiary remains in group II. There is no reclassification to group I. Further recertification is not required unless:
A non-qualifying test result is obtained at the time of recertification but the beneficiary later obtains a qualifying test result; or,
The specified length of need (LON) is reached.
Generally only one recertification is required regardless of group classification unless the LON specified on the recertification CMN is some value other than 99 (indicating lifetime). If other than lifetime is specified the certification will expire when the specified LON time period elapses. A recertification will be required to continue coverage.
Recertification is required to be completed on or prior to the end of the initial certification period. If timely recertification is not completed by the end of the initial certification period, reimbursement ends until the recertification is completed. At such time that the recertification requirements are met, payment will resume at the month in the rental cycle where the rental was stopped due to the expiration of the initial certification. A new, initial rental cycle does not begin when the recertification requirements are met.
A completed and signed Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) is required to receive payment for oxygen. Claims submitted without a valid CMN will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
PORTABLE OXYGEN SYSTEMS:
A portable oxygen system is covered if the beneficiary is mobile within the home and the qualifying blood gas study was performed while at rest (awake) or during exercise. If the only qualifying blood gas study was performed during sleep, portable oxygen will be denied as not reasonable and necessary.
If coverage criteria are met, a portable oxygen system is usually separately payable in addition to the stationary system. See exception in the related Policy Article Non-Medical Necessity Coverage and Payment Rules, OXYGEN EQUIPMENT, Initial 36-Months section.
If a portable oxygen system is covered, the supplier must provide whatever quantity of oxygen the beneficiary uses; Medicare’s reimbursement is the same, regardless of the quantity of oxygen dispensed.
LITER FLOW GREATER THAN 4 LPM:
If basic oxygen coverage criteria have been met, a higher allowance for a stationary system for a flow rate of greater than 4 liters per minute (LPM) will be paid only if a blood gas study performed while the beneficiary is on 4 or more LPM meets Group I or II criteria. If a flow rate greater than 4 LPM is billed and the coverage criterion for the higher allowance is not met, payment will be limited to the standard fee schedule allowance. (Refer to related Policy Article for additional information on payment for greater than 4 LPM oxygen.)
MISCELLANEOUS:
Oxygen reimbursement is a bundled payment. All options, supplies and accessories are considered included in the monthly rental payment for oxygen equipment. Oxygen rental is billed using the appropriate code for the provided oxygen equipment. Separately billed options, accessories or supply items will be denied as unbundling.
Emergency or stand-by oxygen systems for beneficiaries who are not regularly using oxygen will be denied as not reasonable and necessary since they are precautionary and not therapeutic in nature.
Topical hyperbaric oxygen chambers (A4575) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. (IOM 100-03 20.29(B) & (C))
Topical oxygen delivery systems (E0446) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. (IOM 100-03 20.29(C))
REFILLS OF OXYGEN CONTENTS:
For Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) items and supplies provided on a recurring basis, billing must be based on prospective, not retrospective use.
Oxygen contents are reimbursed with a monthly allowance covering all contents necessary for the month. Supply allowances are not subject to the refill monitoring and documentation requirements specified by Medicare Program Integrity Manual section 5.2.6.
All other supplies, e.g. tubing, masks or cannulas, etc., are included in the monthly rental payment. Supplies that are not separately payable are not subject to the refill monitoring and documentation requirements specified by Medicare Program Integrity Manual section 5.2.6.
See the Non-Medical Coverage and Payment Rules section of the related Policy Article for additional information about coverage of oxygen contents.
Bill Type Codes:
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the policy does not apply to that Bill Type. Complete absence of all Bill Types indicates that coverage is not influenced by Bill Type and the policy should be assumed to apply equally to all claims.
N/A
Revenue Codes:
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the policy, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination. Complete absence of all Revenue Codes indicates that coverage is not influenced by Revenue Code and the policy should be assumed to apply equally to all Revenue Codes.
N/A
CPT/HCPCS Codes
Group 1 Paragraph: The appearance of a code in this section does not necessarily indicate coverage.
HCPCS MODIFIERS:
EY – No physician or other licensed health care provider order for this item or service
Q0 (Q-zero) – Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
QE – Prescribed amount of oxygen is less than 1 liter per minute (LPM)
QF – Prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 liter per minute (LPM) and portable oxygen is prescribed
QG – Prescribed amount of oxygen is greater than 4 liters per minute (LPM)
QH – Oxygen conserving device is being used with an oxygen delivery system
