Why Medicare won't pay for a generator
Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) under 42 CFR §414.202. To count, an item must, among other things, be primarily and customarily used for a medical purpose and generally not be useful to someone without an illness or injury. A generator runs a whole house for anyone, so it doesn't qualify, even if your doctor recommends one for oxygen or a ventilator. CMS's DME reference list (NCD 280.1) also denies similar items, such as air conditioners, air cleaners and dehumidifiers, as environmental control equipment that isn't primarily medical. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same DME as Original Medicare.
What Medicare does cover in an outage
- Oxygen: CMS says Medicare's monthly oxygen payment covers every type: concentrators, liquid and gas tanks, and portable contents. If an outage stops your concentrator, the supplier can switch you to tanks without extra Medicare payment.
- Replacement: equipment lost or destroyed in a tornado is usually replaced through a Medicare-approved supplier.
- Emergency care: ambulance and emergency room care when medically necessary.
Oklahoma utility protections
Under Oklahoma Corporation Commission rule OAC 165:35-21-10, if a shutoff for nonpayment would endanger someone's health, a licensed medical doctor or osteopath can certify the condition on the utility's medical certificate form. That suspends disconnection for 30 days, and the utility may extend it once for another 30 days, to give you time to pay or set up a payment plan. It doesn't cancel the bill, and it doesn't keep the power on during a storm. If your power comes from a rural electric cooperative or a city utility, ask it what medical-needs options it has.
Make a power-outage plan
- Call your oxygen or equipment supplier. Ask what backup tanks or batteries you have and how to reach them during a storm.
- Tell your electric company you use life-sustaining equipment, and ask about its medical certificate.
- Know where you'll go. Pick a place with power, such as a relative's home or a shelter, before ice storm season.
More in our guide to tornadoes, ice storms and Medicare. To review how your Medicare coverage handles equipment, with plans from the companies they work with, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
Related questions
Medicare after a tornado
Replacing equipment and drugs.
Early refills in a disaster
Medicines and outages.
Telehealth in rural Oklahoma
Visits from home.
Sources
- CMS — NCD 280.1, Durable Medical Equipment Reference List
- CMS — Replacing DME and Prescription Drugs after a Disaster (2024)
- Noridian (Medicare DME contractor) — Back-up equipment
- OAC 165:35-21-10 — Oklahoma Corporation Commission, delays to disconnection
More questions in this guide
- Can I get an early prescription refill before an ice storm or after a tornado?
- Does Medicare cover telehealth visits in rural Oklahoma?
- Is there a Medicare Special Enrollment Period after a disaster in Oklahoma?
- What happens to my Medicare coverage after a tornado in Oklahoma?
- What is a rural emergency hospital in Oklahoma and does Medicare cover it?
Part of the guide: Tornadoes, Ice Storms and Your Medicare in Oklahoma · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare pay for a backup oxygen concentrator or battery?
Generally not as a separate item. A Medicare equipment contractor says Medicare doesn't make an additional payment for backup equipment, and billed backup equipment is denied as not reasonable and necessary. Ask your oxygen supplier what emergency backup it provides under your current rental.
Can my Oklahoma electric company shut off power if I rely on medical equipment?
For utilities regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, a medical certificate signed by a licensed medical doctor or osteopath suspends a shutoff for nonpayment for 30 days, with one possible 30-day extension. You still owe the bill. It doesn't protect against storm outages.
Does Medicare cover a hospital stay if I lose power and can't use my equipment?
Medicare covers emergency room care and inpatient hospital care when it's medically necessary. It doesn't pay for a hospital or shelter stay only because your home has no power.
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