Criteria for Home Oxygen Therapy

Home oxygen therapy can be helpful with long-term illnesses or temporary medical conditions, but not every condition necessitates the use of an oxygen tank at home. Talk to your doctor. A doctor's prescription, based on particular health issues, is needed for home oxygen therapy.

Types

There are three different home-oxygen systems in use, according to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. One uses compressed oxygen in tanks, another uses liquid oxygen, and one uses oxygen concentrators. All three require a nasal tube to transfer oxygen to the patient.

Prescription

Ask your doctor for a prescription. Because pure oxygen is considered a drug, Cleveland Clinic Foundation reports, it cannot be obtained without a prescription. A doctor's prescription also will specify the amount of oxygen to be used, whether it is needed intermittently or 24 hours a day.

Test Results

Most insurance carriers need to see, in conjunction with a doctor's prescription for oxygen, the results of laboratory tests that show the need for additional oxygen, Cleveland Clinic Foundation states.

Chronic Conditions

Chronic hypoxia, or a reduced oxygen level in body tissue, is considered one criteria that necessitates the use of home oxygen. In the case of chronic hypoxia, home oxygen use will generally be long-term.

Limited Conditions

Acute hypoxia, which can be caused by pneumonia or bronchiolitis, can necessitate the use of home oxygen therapy.

Neurological Conditions

A condition known as cluster headaches also may result in the prescription of home oxygen therapy. Cluster headaches are intense and usually occur in groups, according to WebMD.com. High-flow oxygen therapy may reduce headache pain and may also prevent more headaches from occurring.