Welding Oxygen Recommended by Neurologist after Insurance Denial

[Sub]

Insurance company denied my medical oxygen. My neuro recommended welding oxygen as an alternative.

Please, can anyone provide a starting point on seeking out safe, reliable welding-oxygen? Not necessarily looking for specific brands(?), but generally signs and what to look out for. I know literally nothing about this. Concerned about purity and unreliable equipment.

In Connecticut if that is relevant.

[Dallas Denny]

G'evenin @Sub.  I've been huffing weld ox for close to 20 years now.

So, weld ox has got to be contam free or the welds won't be good......if an O2 supplier deals in both med and weld ox, both types of cylinders are filled from the same spigot......med tanks are vacuumed prior to filling while weld ox cylinders just get a "sniff" test.

Costs are going to vary depending on location......when I began using it in Texas I was able to lease a large (48" tall x 9" dia) cylinder but sorry, I'm old and don't recall pricing.....when I moved to Okla I had to purchase my rig.....$300 for a full cylinder the same size as above, $50 for a weld ox regulator from Harbor Freight (last time I checked they were up to $75), and $25 for the clusterO2mask from ch dot com, and refills/exchanges were $23 ( it's been 4 years since it was refilled so not sure about current pricing.

The cons: You can't tell them you're gonna breathe it....you're taking up glass blowing as a hobby or selling minnows....their biz is selling welding stuff so they really don't care....the 2 I've dealt with didn't ask me anything.

As I said, no Idea what you'll run up against trying to source it in your part of the country.

Hope this helps...any questions just fire away!

Dallas Denny

 

 

[amon10]

@Sub I agree with DD, easy to get, just a little cost up front. The other pro, you own everything so it is there for you when ever you need it, no fighting with health insurance companies. I have had mine for about ten years, have not had to use  it in four. But it doesn’t go bad it worked just as good after 4 years. 
There are Tractor Supplies in your state, that’s where I go. Tank was in the $350 range with exchanges about $60 depending on what size tank you can handle. Don’t worry they don’t want to know for most part, but any excuse will work. Most people in retail are busy just trying to make it through their shift. 

[FunTimes]

If you found a medical oxygen company that would service your area and it is just the insurance that is not approving ask about out of pocket payment. I do not use insurance to pay for my oxygen and it is actually cheaper for me paying out of pocket. Still need a script from the doc tho.  

[CHfather]

you can fight the insurance company, of course.  i suspect they are legally required to cover it. it is said that a "certification of medical necessity" from your doctor will help. 

Tractor Supply could be a very good source.  Google something like "welding oxygen" or "industrial gas suppliers."  Many people use other big national suppliers, such as Airgas and Linde.  You can look them up, too.

this might help as you consider welding o2.  Notes about welding O2 - ClusterBuster Files - ClusterBusters 

 

[Luis]

I do not use insurance to get my oxygen. I just got the prescription from my neuro and took that to a medical supply store that sells oxygen. For me you can buy a small tank for 120 dollars, I live in Texas. Once you have your first tank, you can exchange the empty one for a new one for 20 dollars. I am sitting on a very comfortable 8 tanks at the moment. Is it expensive to start? yes. Is it worth it? yes. Oxygen saved my life. 

[FunTimes]

8 hours ago, Luis said:

Once you have your first tank, you can exchange the empty one for a new one for 20 dollars.

I have also seen on Craigslist and other facebook free stuff type places people getting rid of empty tanks they have from older family members that passed away or just found in the garage. I grab them and add them to the mix for getting refilled. I figured if they are bad the refill place will know and trash them. It just adds tot he supply chain if they are good. 

[Sub]

Thank you everyone. You've reminded me that there are options, giving me back some hope.

I'll ask my neuro about submitting another authorization, and fight it if denied.

The problem with my medical o2 supplier is they wouldn't lease me the tanks without the 2 machines... drove the cost way up to $230-280/mo. 

For the welding info and resource links -- thank you, very helpful. I'm less (or un-)concerned about cost, and more concerned about safety. But you all have re-assured me it's regulated...