Reform Supplemental Oxygen for Chronically Ill Patients

COMMENTARY

For the 1.5 million Americans living with chronic lung and heart disease and other respiratory conditions, supplemental oxygen is not a luxury or something that would be nice to have — it is a literal lifeline. Supplemental oxygen allows patients to live more active, independent lives despite the serious health challenges they face. 

For these individuals, having access to supplemental oxygen in the form and modality they need can mean the difference between being able to work, attend church, spend time with their families and take part in their communities or living homebound and isolated lives.

As tragic as it is, the latter of these scenarios is far too often the case for many patients.

Unfortunately, outdated Medicare rules and flawed reimbursement policies make it difficult for some patients to access the oxygen treatment modalities they truly need to maintain the active and full life they want. As America’s aging population grows, lawmakers must get ahead of this issue before it poses an even greater threat.

That is why Patients Rising is calling on Congress to pass the patient-centric reforms outlined in the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025 (S.1406/H.R. 2902). This bipartisan legislation would help reform the flawed Medicare payment policies that create unnecessary access barriers, reduce options and increase costs for vulnerable patients. 

For the past 14 years, supplemental oxygen has been part of Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment. By driving payments below market rates, this program has come at the unacceptable cost of patients being unable to access their medically necessary supplemental oxygen equipment, supplies and services. Sadly, that is particularly true for those patients who face the highest oxygen needs.

Many of these patients can’t use small, portable oxygen concentrators because the flow rates aren’t high enough. While liquid oxygen offers a higher flow to patients with greater needs, inadequate Medicare reimbursement rates — due to supplemental oxygen being a part of the competitive bidding program — have prevented many suppliers from offering liquid oxygen on a more widespread basis.

That leaves some of our most at-risk patients stuck using heavy tanks of compressed, gaseous oxygen that may only last for a few hours, when liquid oxygen may be more appropriate for their needs. Not only does the current system limit patients’ choices, but it often confines them to their homes. Patients want and deserve greater access to supplemental oxygen treatment modalities that allow them to get out of their homes and stay actively involved in their communities.

If passed, the SOAR Act would help increase patient access by removing supplemental oxygen from Medicare’s competitive bidding program and creating a stable reimbursement system so patients can access the right modality of treatment for their specific needs. That would help encourage more suppliers to offer a greater range of treatment options, including liquid oxygen.

This patient-focused legislation would also establish a set of protections and rights for Medicare beneficiaries. Among others, that includes the right to choose and change suppliers as needed; to be informed about the different modalities and equipment options available; and to be given the appropriate modality of oxygen, equipment, supplies and services to support patients’ mobility and independence.

Last but certainly not least, the SOAR Act would improve access to respiratory therapists for patients who rely on supplemental oxygen by finally creating a Medicare payment for these clinicians who play a vital role in helping patients breathe easier and improve their health and overall well-being. 

Lawmakers in Washington should work together to pass the SOAR Act without delay.

Doing so would help ensure patients battling a range of lung and pulmonary issues won’t have to struggle to access the critical care and support they need to maintain the highest possible quality of life. 

We stand with more than 30 patient and stakeholder groups in calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan and patient-focused SOAR Act.

Terry Wilcox is the co-founder and chief mission officer of Patients Rising. She can be found on X.