What you need to know about home oxygen

If you have been told by your Respiratory Therapist that you would benefit from using home oxygen, a CPAP or BiPAP machine, there are things to consider before you agree to purchase equipment or services:

  • Has the Respiratory Therapist told you if s/he will be compensated if you decide to purchase the service or equipment?
    It is a conflict of interest for a Respiratory Therapist to receive any sort of additional compensation from the company that will provide you with the home oxygen or equipment unless s/he tells you in advance that this type of arrangement exists.

  • Has the Respiratory Therapist told you that you are not obligated to purchase home oxygen or equipment from her/him? 
    There are many home care or home oxygen companies that can provide respiratory equipment or services to you.  You are not obligated to purchase home oxygen or equipment from the Respiratory Therapist who informs you that you would benefit from it. Your continued care with this Respiratory Therapist cannot be affected by your decision to purchase home oxygen or equipment from elsewhere.

  • Has the Respiratory Therapist told you that you may be eligible for a subsidy from a third-party?
    Many patients/clients are eligible for full or partial funding of their home oxygen or respiratory equipment from a third-party.  Third-party subsidies may come from: the Assistive Devices Program/Home Oxygen Program under the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, Veterans Affairs, or private insurance companies.  Before agreeing to purchase home oxygen or respiratory equipment you may wish to find out if you qualify for any of these resources.

  • Has the Respiratory Therapist suggested that you contact other companies that sell home oxygen or respiratory equipment to compare prices?
    Respiratory Therapists should be selling home oxygen or equipment to you at the current market value.  If your Respiratory Therapist does not provide you with the names of other companies you may wish to ask him/her for this information or find it in the Yellowpages™, through an online search under “Oxygen Therapy Equipment” or via the Ontario Home Respiratory Services Association (OHRSA).  As a point of reference the Assistive Devices Program pays $397/month for “full service” in Southern Ontario.