How do I go about getting Oxygen?

[dskib]

We're headed down in October and taking my 83yo MIL. She uses oxygen off and on, and it looks like she might need soma while We're there. She's not on it full time, and she's traveling by train. We were thinking that for our trip of 5 nights (4 park days), we'd like to get maybe 5 or so little portable tanks so we could take one into the parks each day in case she needs it.

Can anyone tell me how to do this? Do I call rental companies myself? Her current O2 supplier? Does insurance cover it? Delivery?

Please, feel free to be specific and talk to me like I'm 5

Thanks!
Deb

 

[krisnme]

Ask your supplier if they can provide you with a "portable oxygen concentrator" If she is only using it part time I assume she uses a low flow rate and a POC is much easier to use than carrying tanks around. If you are traveling amtrak you don't need paperwork to carry on a POC like you do for tanks. also she can use it as often as needed and you won't run out. you might want to rent an extra battery or 2 if you think she may use it for long periods. My Mothers insurance covers hers and it is sooo much easier than when we had to worry about tanks and running out of o2 at the worst times. If your MIL rents an ECV or wheelchair bring bungie cords or a large backpack to attach it to the seatback.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In addition to what krisnme said, contact the current supplier. They will have a corresponding company in the Orlando area. That company will handle all of the oxygen needs and will work with her current company and the insurance so there will be no interruption of service.

And I know that Amtrak has electrical outlets in the compartments and may also have them in the long-distance coaches.

 

[dskib]

Ask your supplier if they can provide you with a "portable oxygen concentrator" If she is only using it part time I assume she uses a low flow rate and a POC is much easier to use than carrying tanks around. If you are traveling amtrak you don't need paperwork to carry on a POC like you do for tanks. also she can use it as often as needed and you won't run out. you might want to rent an extra battery or 2 if you think she may use it for long periods. My Mothers insurance covers hers and it is sooo much easier than when we had to worry about tanks and running out of o2 at the worst times. If your MIL rents an ECV or wheelchair bring bungie cords or a large backpack to attach it to the seatback.

We looked into renting a POC for the week and they told us it was $175 for the week including an extra battery, would be 20lbs and each battery would only last 2 hours. That sounded pretty high maintenance to me.

Does that sound right??

 

[bedogged]

We looked into renting a POC for the week and they told us it was $175 for the week including an extra battery, would be 20lbs and each battery would only last 2 hours. That sounded pretty high maintenance to me.

Does that sound right??

The open-aire one that I used for my mother weighed 10 pounds and the batteries (one) lasted four hours. http://www.open-aire.com/rentalcenter/products.php

 

[krisnme]

We looked into renting a POC for the week and they told us it was $175 for the week including an extra battery, would be 20lbs and each battery would only last 2 hours. That sounded pretty high maintenance to me.

Does that sound right??

My mom uses a Sequil Eclipse 2 at 3lpm it weights about 16lbs, is on a trolley which makes it easy to transport, and on full flow a battery lasts 3-4 hours. on titrate the battery lasts 5-6 hours (have not fully tested this). I really don't know what the going rental rate is as her insurance covers it. in the scheme of things, not having to carry bottles, change them out, and worry about running out is sooo much worth it. at night she plugs in her poc and we never worry about those middle of the night changes that always seem to happen when you travel. it can also be plugged in while at meals, or breaks to help preserve the batteries. My Mom does not use tanks at all now, she has a large unit at home, and uses the portable when she goes out. you should go to your local medical supply show room and they should be able to let you see what they look like. I know there are smaller more lightweight units than what my Mom uses, but this is the only one her ins. supplies. shop around and push the issue with the ins. company. it took a note from her Dr. recommending a poc to get the change done. good luck!

 

[bedogged]

We're headed down in October and taking my 83yo MIL. She uses oxygen off and on, and it looks like she might need soma while We're there. She's not on it full time, and she's traveling by train. We were thinking that for our trip of 5 nights (4 park days), we'd like to get maybe 5 or so little portable tanks so we could take one into the parks each day in case she needs it.

Can anyone tell me how to do this? Do I call rental companies myself? Her current O2 supplier? Does insurance cover it? Delivery?

Please, feel free to be specific and talk to me like I'm 5

Thanks!
Deb

Just another thought. Several years ago my mother was on oxygen 24 hours a day and had a tank at the house. She also had those portable tanks that were awful. They leaked and never worked right. We were all frustrated with them and the oxygen company told us that nothing else was available.

I looked around and found out that Medicare would pay for the POC. This was a new ruling at the time and even her doctor didn't know. I called the open-aire company after seeing a commercial on TV. They were very easy to work with. THEY handled everything over the phone and mailed one out for her. It was wonderful to have one that you could take on the plane. I remember the first time she flew. The flight attendants had never seen one before and all came over to look the unit over.

Since a few years have passed, I'm sure that there are other companies that are providing the same service. Maybe your mother qualifies to HAVE one full time and then you would have to pay a rental fee at all. You might want to check into that.