Portable Oxygen Concentrator Rentals

Why Do You Need Supplemental Oxygen?

Your health care provider has prescribed supplemental oxygen to you for a reason. This reason is where you should start, when determining if you should buy or rent. Your doctor will also determine if you need a POC long-term, or short-term.

So, just what does this contraption do, anyway? POCs are a type of delivery system that bring concentrated oxygen to your lungs, if your body is unable to do it without help. Supplemental oxygen is needed to reduce strain on the lungs and heart. It also helps prevent organ damage.

If you’re having trouble breathing you’re likely anxious, uncomfortable, and exhausted. You can’t walk far (or at all), relax at home, or sleep comfortably. POCs alleviate shortness of breath and fatigue. This increases quality of life for people with low blood oxygen levels.1

Short-Term vs. Long-Term POC Rentals: What Makes Sense for You?

Reasons to Rent Short-Term

Some of the reasons you might benefit most from renting instead of buying a POC include:

You’re recuperating from a short-term illness

Your doctor may prescribe a POC for at-home use if you have a temporary, reversible condition. You may benefit from a short-term POC rental if:2

• You’re undergoing post-surgery recuperation.
• You’re recuperating from a severe respiratory infection. These include pneumonia, COVID-19, and the flu.
• You get cluster headaches.
• You experienced an injury or trauma that adversely affected your ability to breathe.

You’re going on vacation or a short business trip

If you use a stationary oxygen concentrator at home and are planning on traveling, renting a light-weight POC for short-term use makes sense. Travel rentals are short-term, transaction-based arrangements. Many suppliers will give you daily or weekly pricing for a short-term rental.

A travel rental company will typically ship the unit to you before your departure, and you return it when you're back home.

You’ll still need to go through your doctor. Because the FDA classifies medical-grade oxygen as a drug, you must have a prescription to rent an oxygen concentrator, or any other oxygen-related medical device that produces oxygen.3 This is true regardless of rental duration, a prescription is always required.

You want to test the unit

If you’re considering a POC purchase, you may benefit from renting one on a short-term basis first. This lets you try out a specific oxygen flow rate, or weight class (size of unit).

Reasons to Rent Long-Term

You might need a long-term POC rental if you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic health condition, such as:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Congestive heart failure or late-stage heart failure
• Certain cancers, including lung cancer
• Asthma
• Obstructive sleep apnea that is not fully controlled with CPAP

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a POC?

POC rentals average $600 a month or more ($150 a week for short-term rentals).4 The type of unit and length of contract will both impact price. Batteries, tubing, and other supplies will also add to your overall cost.

Rentals are usually managed through a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. You can choose to rent a POC for full payment out-of-pocket, or, you can use health insurance to pay some or all of the costs.

Paying with Insurance

Medicare covers long-term POC rentals, but won’t pay for short-term rentals. If you have Original Medicare, Part B will pay 80 percent of the cost of a Medicare-approved DME rental for 36 months. You can continue to use the unit for an additional two years, for a total of five years. You’ll be required to pay 20 percent of the rental cost for 36 months only. The cost of supplies is also covered in part by Medicare.

If you have a Medigap supplemental plan in addition to Medicare, it will pay some or all of the remaining 20 percent of your rental, plus other out-of-pocket costs.

At the end of five years, you can opt into a new rental unit, and the five-year cycle begins again.

To get a POC, Medicare requires you to meet these eligibility criteria:5

• A Medicare-approved health care provider says you aren’t getting enough oxygen
• It is thought that your health may improve with oxygen supplementation
• Your arterial blood gas level is within a specific range

Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicaid, and private health insurers also pay for long-term POC rentals and supplies. Eligibility criteria and rates vary, so check with your plan provider, to determine what your portion of the fees will be.

Paying Out of Pocket

If you don’t have insurance, need a short-term rental, or wish to pay on your own for any reason, you can expect your average weekly fees to run around $150 for a basic unit.

Rental pricing varies by device, duration, and supplier. Your geographic area will likely pay a role. In some instances, you may find low-cost weekly rentals of under $100. Some high-tech units will be considerably more expensive at $450 a week, or more.

These fees refer to the base unit rental. Additional costs such as delivery and setup fees, maintenance and repair costs, and accessories like batteries should be taken into account when budgeting for a rental.

Rent vs. Buy: A Practical Cost Analysis

The rent-vs.-buy question comes down almost entirely to how long you'll need the device. Here's how the math typically plays out:

Renting an Inogen model at around $449 a month means that after approximately 6 to 7 months, you've paid roughly $2,694 to $3,143, which is similar to the purchase price. After that point, buying becomes more cost-effective. Keep in mind that if you buy, you’ll be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of your unit.6

Put simply: if you need oxygen for fewer than 6 months, renting is likely the more economical choice. If you need it long-term, purchasing or renting through insurance is likely to cost less over time.

Inogen's Rental Program

Inogen is one of the most widely recognized portable oxygen brands in the U.S. and offers a formal rental pathway through insurance.

Inogen works directly with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance to check coverage eligibility, partners with your physician to obtain required documentation, and then provides the Inogen One system along with a backup oxygen supply. If you're converting from portable oxygen tanks, your current equipment is removed and you begin service with Inogen. Co-payments and deductibles may apply depending on your plan.

This insurance-based rental pathway is distinct from the short-term travel rental market. If you're on long-term oxygen therapy and want to explore whether Inogen's rental program applies to your situation, contacting Inogen directly or working with your DME supplier is the right starting point.

Read our full Inogen review to learn more about this top POC brand.

How to Rent a POC: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get (or confirm) your prescription. You need a valid prescription from your physician that specifies your oxygen flow requirements. No rental company can legally fulfill your request without it.
2. Choose your rental supplier. Look for an FAA-approved rental fleet if you're traveling by air, and confirm the supplier is an authorized dealer for the brand you're renting. If you’re planning on having Medicare pay for your rental, make sure to choose a Medicare-approved DME supplier.
3. Book in advance. For travel rentals, most suppliers recommend at least a week of lead time, ideally two or more, to ensure the unit is shipped to arrive before your departure date.
4. Inspect the unit on arrival. Confirm the device is in working order, that all accessories are included, and that you know how to operate it before you need it in a real situation.
5. Return it promptly. Follow the supplier's return process. Most brands use a prepaid shipping label so you can drop the unit at a carrier location.

Final Thoughts

Renting a portable oxygen concentrator is a practical, flexible option for travelers, those in short-term recovery, or anyone not yet ready to commit to a purchase. The key is knowing which type of rental you need, understanding the real cost over time, and booking through a reputable, authorized supplier.