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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> An adventure in getting O2
        
(Message started by: Topical on Jul 6^th, 2005, 10:48pm)

Title: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 6^th, 2005, 10:48pm

I called the company who provided it to me last time and explained I did not have insurance any longer but I have the prescription. "Oh well we offer discounts only to people that have insurance. Being that you don't have any..."
Cost:
139 /mo for the regulator and mask.
39/mo for the oxygen (no limit on refills).
I think with the insurance it was a 70 dollar one time fee and then 30-40 dollars a month. Insurance picked up the cost. They referred me to another company.

I called, "We don't offer oxygen except to doctors, nurses, or other medical practitioners." They refered me to another company.

Given the prices at the first place. I did some checking around on prices on the web for the cylinders, regulator and mask.
Cylinder = 45 used / 250 new
Regulator = 25
Mask and tubing = 10-15

I thought I would take another tack and see what happens with this next place. I wanted to see how much if I bought the equipment outright.

If I brought in my own Oxygen tank, can you fill it up?
"We don't dont that. We don't sell the cylinders either. You will find it hard to have any place refill oxygen tanks you own even with a prescription."

"The regulator and cart are 39 dollars a month rental. We can sell you the regulator for 100 and the cart for 50 dollars. The oxygen would be a 25 dollars one time cost/per cylinder. When it was empty bring in ourcylinder and it will be another 25 dollars."

I thought I found my supplier, then he added, "Oh and if you buy the regulator and cart from us we will not be able to offer the oxygen to you."
WHAT? "We rent the equipment to make up for cost of the oxygen. It's a package deal." HUH?

I said, "It looks like I am going to be a welder for the next week then."
"OH, I wouldn't do that....blah, blah..." Ya right, right. He referred me to another company.

I wondered how it will look, this skinny wimpy looking guy driving to a welding supply place in his Ford Taurus. "I want to buy a welding tank and I want it filled. Can you put it in the car? I don't think I can lift it."

All this and I have the prescription. I just don't like getting taken advantage of. Hearing the "package deal" offered ticked me off but it seemed like a deal when a headache hit last night. I could rent it for only a few months but then I would need another prescription. I also wouldn't have it on hand ready to use.

Today, I called some patient advocacy groups looking for any advice. They only know about how to get insurance. Not too much help.

Finally, I looked in the yellow pages for medical suppliers and started calling the few companies remaining. "We don't sell any respitory equipment." Next....well eventually I found a place that said to come in.

I drove down there and managed to purchase a nice setup for 350 dollars total. I will have it around with me now and the O2 inside it should last me for at least 3 years. The tank is military grade and has 9 years left before it needs to be retested. It can also hold more oxygen than a regular med cylinder the same size. Something like 3600 PSI. I think it is rated at 3100 PSI so they gave me a little extra. Still within the safety limits.

Refills down the road will be 28 bucks. 10/L min here I come! Yes!

One slight problem, it weighs 200 pounds and is sitting in my trunk. Hmmm....time to design a pully system to get it up to the second floor. They would have delivered it but I didn't want to wait. I am wondering what my neighbors will think as I manhandle it inside my place. I think they would have freaked if it said "welding oxygen" on the side.

Spreading out the cost, roughly 32 cents a day for first 3 years. 10 bucks a month including a new rebreather.

Refills are 28 dollars. The cost will then become 1 dollar a month or 3 cents a day, including a new rebreather.

I wish I didn't have to plan ahead or could think the CH will go away permanently. If it goes into remission I would never consider the 350 bucks a wasted investment in my sanity and peace of mind.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by sarsie on Jul 6^th, 2005, 10:54pm

Hey, call some home medical equipment providers. Some of them will work with you BIG TIME.

The one I used is Apria (you may have a local dealer) when dh had to get a C-PAP machine for sleep apnea.

We did have insurance, but the copays were going to be pretty high and we are not really well off financially, yet it was something he really needed.

It took me many phone calls, but finally found this place that said, "Come in, bring your script, we'll work with you to get hooked up."

When we went in, they had us fill out financial affidavits as there are apparently different "charity" type things that help with home health care needs. I don't know who or what, as the home health place took care of all the official paperwork. We prepared the application to have our copays paid for us, they sent us out of there with everything we needed having not paid a dime, and three weeks later, we got a letter stating our application was accepted and we owed them nothing.

Good luck. I hope you can find something.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by sarsie on Jul 6^th, 2005, 10:56pm

oops-in my daze, I missed the part where you actually obtained something.

Sorry!

Hope my suggestion helps anyone else in the same boat!

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 7^th, 2005, 12:59am

:-* Yes, all is very good now.

Apria is wonderful I can confirm that....as long as you have insurance. They were the ones who wanted 180/mo. rental for the setup.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Kevin_M on Jul 7^th, 2005, 1:45am

Damn you're tenacious. Way to go!

:)

Unfamiliar with that kind of tank but how 'bout renting a good dolly to move it from the trunk? And bring a friend.

Kevin M

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 7^th, 2005, 5:53am

:-* I was ready to go down to Mexico. It's in a little corner now of my room. I managed to get up the fifth step when I asked my neighbor to help me out.

I learned a lot about different options for obtaining oxygen. I'll have to post on all I found. I am sure it may help others and haven't seen it mentioned.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by jcmquix on Jul 7^th, 2005, 10:17am

Well I am having a problem getting the script for the O2, I hope I get that solved today, when I see the Dr again. :)

But I live in Bradenton, Florida. I called Lincare Inc, I asked if anyone there knew about CH. They put a lady in the phone, who had a good knowledge of CH. I explained that I did not think my Ins Comp would pay for the O2, but I needed it for CH.

Well She worked a deal with me on the phone:
$195.00 complete system (E-Tank, Reg, Cart and Mask)
$10.00 to refill tank
or
$55.00 a month, If I decided that it worked for me, I could just pay the $55.00 a month till the $195.00 amount was reached and the system is mine.

She even told me how to have the Dr write the Scrit so there are no problems. (Before getting the script, make sure you know what the O2 company wants it to read).

Just need that Damn Script, I'll get that today. [smiley=bigguns.gif]

But I had to call around to a few places also, so do your shopping. Before I found the Lincare, the lowest price I got was $500.00 for a complete system or they would not do it because the Ins Comp was not paying for it, said "We do not want to be LIABLE".

Good Luck to all in your search for the O2...
Alot of people here seem to know how to get it, so post a message and someone will answer and help you.

PFDAN's to ALL !!! [smiley=headbanger.gif]

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by sarsie on Jul 7^th, 2005, 11:41am

on 07/07/05 at 00:59:43, Topical wrote:

:-* Yes, all is very good now.

Apria is wonderful I can confirm that....as long as you have insurance. They were the ones who wanted 180/mo. rental for the setup.

Yikes!!

Well, nonetheless, I'm glad you found something!

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 8^th, 2005, 12:26am

I am going to have to add 10 bucks to the bill for a larger crescent wrench. All tightened up now and ready to go.

jcmquix - that sounds like an excellent deal. Be sure to find out how long the tank will last in minutes at your prescribed flow rate.

My script stated something like
"Oxygen tank 10L/m
11 refills w/non-rebreather mask"

You do need the mask on the script. Like others have stated here, they won't sell the mask without a prescription.

I first looked a tank that went for 90 bucks. I thought of buying two of them. The guy who worked at the store said it at 10L/M it would only last me for 30 min. Looking around on the web it says the tank will last 4 hours at 2lpm, so it looks like he off by only a few minutes.

I went with a H size steel tank that has 391 CF. (About the size of a large welding tank.) I have no idea how long it will last but next time they will do the pick up and deliver. :) Lesson learned there.

It has US GOVT. stamped on the side of it. Meaning it could be used by the government. I am now in the national tracking system as the proud owner. Yes!!!

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by jcmquix on Jul 8^th, 2005, 6:11am

Well all went well at the Nero Dr (Thursday), I got the script for the O2. I got the entire setup. Script says:

O2 Treatment for CH
8-10LPM
Non-rebreather mask
99 months

The price I was quoted was for an E-tank setup, (which is kinda small, but when I went to pick up the rig, this is what they gave me for the price of $55.00 a month, If I want to buy it for $195.00 total. The $55 a month goes toward the purchase price, if it works for me.

I got :
2 E-tanks (the lady said that way I will not run out to fast at 8-10LPM) Refills $10.00 each.
1 0-15LPM regulator
2 non-rebreather masks
1 cart

So it turned out to be a pretty good deal.

I still have to practice with the O2 when I am getting hit, learning to remain calm until the O2 kicks in.

Warning: The Nero Dr & The Med Supply Place both warned me to start at about 6LPM until I get used to the O2, which was good advise.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by millie the episodic on Jul 8^th, 2005, 7:33am

Is there a difference between an O2 tank and the machine that turns air into pure O2?

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by paul_pero on Jul 8^th, 2005, 7:34am

Boy!!! I thought I had trouble getting O2 in Australia. My hardest part was getting the script from a doctor. Had to go to a couple before one would give me the script.

THe Gas co (BOC) had already set me up with an account and order before the doctor would even give me the script.

My costs in aussie dollars were:

regulator (up to 15lpm) and D size cylinder 1640 Litres and trolley.
setup costs $47.60 delivered
monthly rental $25.10
refills $47.60 delivered or $22 pickup yourself.

Account is monthly. When cluster cycle finishes return tank and last month is paid pro rata.

THe Oxygen works brilliantly for me.

PAul

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 8^th, 2005, 8:22am

Millie, the biggest problem is that the machines take 30 minutes before reaching the top oxygen saturation level. This turned me off on these systems although there are newer add-ons that can fill oxygen tanks at 92 percent purity.

The machines are not recommended for short periods of operation. The parts wear out faster if this is done according to the manufacturer.

The machines can not deliver 99 percent pure oxygen which is what the tanks give you. The top percentage I could find was 92 percent. Some manufacturers provide less purity at higher flow rates.

They top system I could find put out 10 liters/minute(after the 30 minute warmup). Some people who use O2 for CH use 15 liters per minute.

The 5lpm systems are approx 600 dollars.
The 10lpm machines are roughly 1600 dollars.
A system that includes the ability to fill tanks costs 2600 dollars.

I would think 10-15 lpm off of the bottle is possible with the right regulator but haven't seen this stated on their websites. The only info I saw was it included a 6lpm regulator with 2 tanks.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by Topical on Jul 8^th, 2005, 8:50am

jcmquix. excellent news and a great deal.

Psychologically knowing that it is there lowers the stress level big time. ;)

Next time I will definitely be getting a delivery. You can bring yours in easily. Had I known the struggle getting it mine inside, I may have gone for 3 of the smaller ones and used a reduced flowrate.

paul_pero, I can't figure out docs aversion to O2. I think word is just getting out about how effective it is.

Title: Re: An adventure in getting O2
Post by jcmquix on Jul 8^th, 2005, 9:03am

When I first heard the size of the E-tank they were offering me, I was kinda upset. Then the lady told me that with this being Hurricane season where we are, that I can take that one into the shelters if we have to go. I would be like the last person to go to a shelter, but we have made plans, just in case, after we saw what happened last year here.

We (pet owners in the city) even got permission to have a special place at the shelters, where we could be with our animals 24/7.

But anyways thats why I decided that the small tank would be better, just in case, I'll deal with it. If I do get stuck in a shelter, I will at least have O2. ;;D ;)

PFDAN's to ALL !!!