Does Medicaid and or Medicare cover a Pulse Oximeter?

I was wondering if anyone knows if medicare or medicaid will cover the cost of a pulse oximeter? I would like to know if my o2 levels are improved but I can't really afford to buy a pulse oximeter outright. Or does anyone know of a pulse oximeter that can record all night that is under $40, I could probably afford that if I saved up for a few months. Thanks in advance.

I do not believe so.

While there are procedure codes for pulse oximetry testing, I do not believe there is a procedure code for the device itself.

From a quick google search:

http://www.ppsc.com/MedicareGuidelines/ ... .01.11.pdf

Medicare will allow payment for oximetry when accompanied by an appropriate ICD-9-CM code for a pulmonary disease(s) which is/are commonly associated with oxygen desaturation. Routine use of oximetry is non-covered.

..

In outpatient or home management for patients with chronic cardiopulmonary problems, pulse oximetry determinations once or twice a year are considered reasonable. In all instances, there must be a documented request by a physician/nonphysician provider in the medical record for these services. Regular or routine testing will not be allowed for reimbursement.

Many here recommend http://www.pulseoxstore.com. These devices have really come down in price in the past few years and may be less expensive than you think..

- Joe

Thanks jdr999 I had no clue beyond asking here what to search to find out about this. The links will be helpful.

Granted it has been several years, but my doctor (at that time) told me that insurances do NOT cover a pulse ox meter, even if a prescription is written.

I bit the bullet and bought my own, $230 at the time. They've gotten a lot less expensive since then.

Yikes Madalot $250! I can't bite that bullet that's for sure! But I may be able to save up for one I saw on the link jdr999 gave, it was $70, or perhaps I can check around for a used one.
By the way Madalot your avatar is so adorable, again!

I paid about $80 for my CMS50E a couple of years ago. It has served me well.

2nd wind has one for $49. under accessories.

photodork wrote:2nd wind has one for $49. under accessories.

What is 2nd wind? I googled it and there were sports companies and several other sites, I looked at the sports one and could not find a pulse oximeter on there site at all, so I'm guessing I looked at the wrong place. If you have a link to the pulse oximeter you mentioned that would be great.

secondwindcpap.com

simplyme wrote:What is 2nd wind? I googled it and there were sports companies and several other sites, I looked at the sports one and could not find a pulse oximeter on there site at all, so I'm guessing I looked at the wrong place. If you have a link to the pulse oximeter you mentioned that would be great.

http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Accessories.html
It's all the way down at the bottom of the page but from I read it doesn't record overnight. It's just for spot checking while awake. No mention as to software that is needed with a pulse oximeter records data through the night and that is what you want. You might want to call them and ask for sure.
You have to be careful because there are a lot of cheaper models that don't record all night.

I think there are some recording pulse oximeters on EBay but they may come from China.. $45 and up range.

cobra4x4 wrote:secondwindcpap.com

Oh, that makes a lot more sense thanks cobra4x4

Pugsy wrote:http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Accessories.html
It's all the way down at the bottom of the page but from I read it doesn't record overnight. It's just for spot checking while awake. No mention as to software that is needed with a pulse oximeter records data through the night and that is what you want. You might want to call them and ask for sure.
You have to be careful because there are a lot of cheaper models that don't record all night.

I think there are some recording pulse oximeters on EBay but they may come from China.. $45 and up range.

I was kinda wondering if it would be a spot check one. I will have to investigate…
Edit-- the pulse oximeter on secohdwindcpap.com is just a spot check one, no overnight recording capabilities, oh well the search continues.

simplyme wrote:Yikes Madalot $250! I can't bite that bullet that's for sure! But I may be able to save up for one I saw on the link jdr999 gave, it was $70, or perhaps I can check around for a used one.

As I said, this was a couple years ago and I know the cost has come way down. At that point, I felt *I* needed to be more involved in my care & monitoring and bit the bullet and bought it. I got the CMS50F (wrist model) and have been very pleased with it.

I did a comparison between it and the monitor my DME used (my doctor frequently ordered *official* tests) and the results were about the same on both monitors. Even my doctor agreed to take the results from my monitor if I did a test and felt she needed the results.

simplyme wrote:By the way Madalot your avatar is so adorable, again!

Thanks. Pretty obvious that I love cats & dogs. If I'm in a really bad mood, I have a picture of our Bull that I can use as an Avatar, but people here told me they didn't like him...