A small portable nebulizer machine is a convenient, effective way to get your nebulized therapy. But patients who are in need of portable nebulizers often wonder if the devices are covered by insurance, specifically Medicare.
Not everyone qualifies for Medicare. And even if you have it, there is no guarantee that it will cover your portable nebulizer machine. There are certain qualifications that need to be met in order to have your nebulizers covered by Medicare.
Our guide will help you understand more about Medicare, what coverage you will have, and whether your portable nebulizers will be covered by your plan.
Read on to learn more.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal government health insurance program for people 65 and older, and younger people with certain disabilities. If you are under 65 and want to know if you could qualify for Medicare if you have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for a minimum of 24 months.
What Does Medicare Cover?
There are three parts of Medicare – Part A, Part B, and Part D. Each part covers a different area of healthcare. Depending on your situation, you may get coverage from all three parts or just one or two.
Part A
This part covers hospital insurance, including inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
Part B
Part B covers various medical insurance needs like certain doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Part D
Finally, Part D helps to cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).
If you are able to qualify for Medicare coverage for your portable nebulizer, it would fall under Medicare Part B (medical supplies).
When you qualify for Medicare, you have a couple of options in how you get your insurance coverage. There are 2 main coverage plans that you can choose from.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare only covers (Part A and Part B) if you want additional prescription drug coverage you would have to add to that plan.
Medicare Advantage
This is an “all-in-one” plan. This plan typically includes coverage for all three parts of Medicare. It also adds extra benefits that the Original Medicare plan cannot, like vision, hearing, and dental.
You should talk to your family and a Medicare professional about your options to figure out which solution is best for you. If a nebulizer is a major part of your breathing treatment regimen, you should take that into consideration when choosing which Medicare plan to apply for.
Are Portable Nebulizers Covered by Medicare?
Portable nebulizers are covered by Medicare Part B if your doctor prescribes them for use in your home. The nebulizer must be medically necessary for the treatment of your condition, and it must be considered durable medical equipment (DME).
DME is defined as equipment that can withstand repeated use, is generally not useful to someone who does not have a medical condition, and is able to be used in the home. Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of renting or buying a portable nebulizer after you pay the annual Part B deductible.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage may vary depending on the specific plan. Some plans may cover 100% of the cost of a portable nebulizer, while others may only cover a portion of the cost.
Check with your plan provider to see what coverage you have for portable nebulizers.
What is a Portable Nebulizer Machine?
The best handheld nebulizers are one of the most effective breathing treatments for people with respiratory conditions. A portable nebulizer machine will take your prescribed liquid medication and transform it into a mist that can be easily absorbed into your lungs to deliver your medication quickly and effectively.
Traditionally, nebulizer machines have been big and bulky. Jet nebulizers have to be plugged in while in use, making people who use them feel stuck. But with a portable nebulizer, patients can get their nebulized therapy and breathing treatment no matter where they are.
Portable nebulizers are smaller devices that work just as effectively in treating respiratory conditions as traditional jet nebulizers. They can also be more effective than inhalers.
Many people tend to compare portable nebulizers to inhalers for getting respiratory relief. Nebulizers will give patients a more accurate dose of their medications, whereas with inhalers you risk the possibility of losing medication.
Are Portable Nebulizers Effective for Treatment?
A portable nebulizer is extremely effective in treating a number of respiratory ailments including asthma, COPD, and pneumonia. In a lot of cases, nebulizers are more effective for breathing treatment than inhalers.
Portable nebulizers are effective for both children and adults because of their size and ease of use. With the mask, your misted medication easily enters your lungs, allowing you to breathe easier even with chronic respiratory illnesses.
Even with our mouthpiece, it is very difficult to lose the medication. “Losing medication” means that the mist evaporates in the air before you’re able to breathe it in. This happens with inhalers more often than it happens with nebulized therapy.
How Does Nebulized Therapy Work?
Portable nebulizers are very easy to use. Because of their convenient design, you do not have to plug it in anywhere and there are no tubes or cords. As long as you put the correct battery in the device, you can use it anywhere at any time.
When the device is loaded with the correct batteries, you are ready to use your portable nebulizer machine.
Once you add your liquid medication into the cup and turn the device on, it will begin turning your liquid medication into a mist that you breathe in.
You want to make sure to keep the mouthpiece or mask securely to your mouth so that you are getting an accurate dose of your medication every time.
Once you have finished your dose of medication, you should clean and disinfect it. This is important in keeping your device sanitary and in good condition.
Follow these steps to clean and disinfect your machine.
- Remove the mouthpiece and any accessories.
- Add 6ml of distilled water to the medicine cup.
- Run a full cycle through.
- Shake out any remaining drops and allow the device to air dry.
Disinfect your nebulizer by following the first four steps but add 2 to 3 drops of white vinegar and run a full cycle.
After this solution is nebulized, run one more cycle of just distilled water. Wipe out the medicine cup with distilled water to ensure there is no vinegar residue left over.
What Respiratory Conditions Do Portable Nebulizers Treat?
There are many respiratory conditions that you can use nebulizers for. The most common conditions that patients use them for are COPD, congestion, and asthma.
Here are all the conditions that a small portable nebulizer can effectively treat.
COPD
When you have moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, your nebulizer will most likely be covered by Medicare Part B. Be sure to talk to your doctor to confirm this.
COPD is a common condition seen in people who have smoked for many years. This chronic respiratory disease is characterized by damaged lung tissues and exacerbations that can cause distress and constricted airways. Using nebulized therapy allows you to get an accurate dose of your COPD meds when you need them most.
Asthma
If you have severe asthma, this is another condition where your nebulizer could be covered by Medicare Part B. Asthma is a chronic condition where specific triggers cause the airways to constrict and produce extra mucus, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing. A small portable nebulizer is just slightly larger than the average inhaler, making it just as easy to use on the go.
Allergies
Allergies are not only just annoying, they can be detrimental to your overall health. It can trigger immune responses and potentially cause airway irritation and wheezing. Using a portable nebulizer machine provides immediate relief for your indoor, outdoor, allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies.
Bronchitis
Liquid steroids are a common treatment for Bronchitis. This condition is typically caused by a virus and causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes, resulting in symptoms like cough, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and excess mucus.
When you use a handheld nebulizer with your prescription for a liquid corticosteroid for your bronchitis, you can quickly and effectively get rid of the inflammation that is causing your breathing to be labored and shallow.
Congestion
Blocked nose and/or chest congestion occurs when the mucus membranes in the airways go into overdrive and produce excess secretions; it is generally caused by a virus and can be a side effect of other illnesses. A portable nebulizer is one of the best treatment methods for chest congestion, head congestion, and nasal congestion.
COVID-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, and sometimes breathing difficulties and pneumonia can manifest with this virus. Your doctor may recommend nebulized medications to help relieve symptoms. Portable nebulizers provide immediate relief from your COVID-19 and associated respiratory symptoms.
Croup
This is a common viral upper respiratory infection in younger children, causing swelling around the voicebox. Croup is accompanied by the famous “barking” cough. If your child or infant has croup, a small portable nebulizer can help with their worst respiratory symptoms and get them feeling back to normal in no time.
Pneumonia
While a nebulizer can’t get rid of your pneumonia, it can help relieve your respiratory symptoms and get you back to breathing easier in no time.
Pneumonia is an illness in which the small air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, get infected and filled with fluid or pus. The airways also produce extra mucus, and it is often dark in color. Pneumonia causes fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
RSV
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a very contagious and common respiratory virus that hits young children the hardest.
While mild cases manifest as cold symptoms, more serious cases cause significant inflammation in the small airways of the lungs. With even just one dose of nebulized RSV meds, you or your child will be breathing better.
Why Choose TruNeb™ for Your Portable Nebulizers?
Our premium medical-grade portable nebulizer machine uses advanced vibrating mesh technology to atomize liquid like saline and liquid medications into fine particles that you breathe into your lungs.
The TruNeb™ is a quiet and effective solution for the delivery of important medications to treat your worst respiratory symptoms.
With no tubing or air compressors, you can bring your TruNeb™ anywhere. Easily use it around the house without having to plug anything in, or take it with you to school, work, the gym, or out with friends.
Our small portable nebulizer is easy to slip into a purse or backpack, making it accessible anytime you need a breathing treatment.
Our portable mesh nebulizer machine works for both kids and adults, making it easy for anyone who needs nebulized therapy.
Each nebulizer is backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not 100% satisfied with your nebulizer, contact us to return it or get a replacement.
