COPD and traveling with oxygen

Question

I'm sure I'm not the only one out here that has COPD and travels. The company that I use to supply/refill/replace my 0xygen tanks tell me that they need two weeks notice to set up a contact place for me to have my needs met.

We travel with a concentrator on board, but I use tanks when away from the Motorhome. Since leaving Florida on March 15th, we went to Philadelphia to attend a wedding, then traveled back south to Chincoteauge VA for a short stay, then on to Longs, SC. for while and then on to Lake Lure, NC where we presently are. I have needed to replenish my tanks twice so far, once in the Myrtle Beach Area and again in North Carolina.

We are from NJ and I use a nationwide company when at home, but when I called them from South Carolina, I was told that I had to notify them about my change in location, and what I would need, two weeks before time. I tried to explain that when we move around like this, I have no idea on where I am going to be in two weeks and what I will need at that time because my needs change according to what we have been doing and the amount of time spent away from the Coach. It took some work, but I was finally able to drive to one of their locations and exchange my tanks. Now that we have moved to N.C. I (we did not know in advance where we would be staying)went on line and found one of their dealers about 40 miles away. I called N.J. and asked if I could take my empty tanks to their facility to be exchanged. Again we went round and round about the two week thing. I tried to explain that two weeks ago I did not know that I would be in this particular area or the number of tanks I would need. I called the local dealer in Asheville and was told that if N.J. would fax down my RX, they could accommodate me. I don't see why this is so difficult that it would take two weeks notice.

If anyone out there has come across this problem and can give me any information, I would appreciate it. I'm thinking about changing companies when we get home, but I don't where to start looking.

Thanks in advance.

janss · Answer

Your story sounds exactly like ours!....on the west side of the country! My spouse uses the oxygen only at higher elevations. But we also travel with the concentrator and bottles, using and needing exchanges just like you. And just like you, have had the same runaround! Same thing about faxing the Rx. We carry a copy of the Rx with us in case that helps us (which it may or may not). The whole thing is so frustrating that we've considered buying a portable oxygen concentrator ourselves, to use instead of bottles, but they are quite expensive. Have you looked into them? Something like the Inogen G3.

So by any chance does your nationwide provider start with an "A"? I don't know if it's appropriate to name companies on this forum, just as part of discussion like this.

We've also had bad and frustrating experiences with this company at home. In our area, they just never seem to have their act together. My spouse is on Medicare, and unfortunately, has to wait 5 years (from the beginning) to change companies. It all has to do with the payment situation. Perhaps if you are on Medicare you know about this. Anyway, we will look into changing providers once the 5 years is up.

I wish I knew of a good solution. But if you ever find one, please post or PM me. We only know of one other nationwide provider, name starts with an "L". (Again, can we name the companies here on the forum?)

amandasgramma · Answer

I've had the same problem with supplies for my CPAP machine. And the company that starts with an A...Apria, does NOT have nationwide coverage. By that I mean, each office is different and you have to set up an account at each one....and that takes at least 1/2 hr. BUT, this last time I tried to get supplies...last month (first this year), I was told everything had to be shipped. That was BEFORE they found out my ins. company. No longer can go into their office. Might be (should be) different for oxygen.

Advice....carry a prescription from your doctor ALL the time. Do not let them take it from you.....have them make copies.

crabbin_cabin · Answer

WE travel with a portable concentrator - no bottles needed - at least for the levels I have. Recharges from the 12 volt accessory on the dashboard - or on 110 when parked.
Also approved by FAA for air travel when necessary, with a DR's note/certificate.

feeline · Answer

First I’d like to thank you guys for your information. It appears that it really doesn’t matter what company you use, the service, is less then I would expect from a SERVICE company.

The company that I use begins with a L, don't know how many may be out there. Yesterday, I thought that everything had been resolved. The RX had been faxed, I called the local (over an hours derive from where we are staying) and spoke to one of the reps, I told her exactly what I needed, the size of the tanks and the number of each size that I wanted to exchange. I was told that the tanks would be pulled and brought up front so that I could pick them up.

When I arrived today, the person that I spoke to was not available, but they said that they would try and help me. Well it turns out that they did not have any of the size tanks that I had told them I had. They did give me the same number of full tanks to replace my empties, the problem is none of them have the same capacity as the tanks I brought in, They did not fit my portable walking rack or the carry bags that I have. I took the tank, because I was out and needed them.

I'm going to try and conserve the tanks as much as possible so that I have enough to make it home without having to deal with these people again. I was not aware of the 5 year thing with Medicare. I will check on that.

The company that I use for my Cpap, has been good, when I called them, they will ship to where every I am, usually with a day or two.

As far as the portable concentrator, I have been doing some research, but don't know enough to make an educated purchase yet. if anyone can recommend a portable unit, I would like to here from you.

Well guy, thank all of you again for your help. Maybe one day there will be a SERVICE provider that will provide service.

clay_l · Answer

The Inogen One G3 mentioned above is one that a guy a few sites down from us winter before last had.
He used it both as a portable unit and also for night time use. It worked great, is much smaller than the big Invacare home unit my wife has and if we had continued full timing or snow birding we would have got one for her.
She just needs it at night but it is so much smaller that it could go in the bedroom instead of under the dinette like her Invacare unit. Not convenient under there and having to disconnect the hose and coil it up every morning was a pita.
You can see it HERE

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