Date 11/28/08

Dear Ozarks Oxygen Patients,

As your local home medical equipment provider, Lakeland Pharmacy is writing you with some serious concerns. We have become aware of proposed changes in the way Medicare reimburses suppliers of oxygen equipment.  If these changes become final, your home medical equipment provider may no longer be able to provide you the patient with all of the quality services that you have been accustomed to and deserve.  Please read the following for important information.

What has changed?

Recent legislation has placed a “cap” on the reimbursement rental payments we receive for beneficiary oxygen equipment. Specifically, in most cases, Medicare will only make payments for your equipment for the first 36 months of service.  While Medicare will continue to pay for your oxygen contents (refill of portable equipment and liquid containers), the reimbursement will no longer cover all services such as 24-hour emergency service, off scheduled maintenance, replacement supplies, and a normal maintenance schedule.  This affects all home medical equipment companies.  Collectively, we have concern that the array of services that you have become familiar with may be compromised.  Our goal is to ensure that you receive optimal quality care. 

How does this affect you, our patient?

• Seasonal traveling, or permanently relocating, may be more difficult due to your need of continued oxygen service outside of your normal service area.  While the legislation requires that we make arrangements for Medicare beneficiaries to continue receiving the equipment at a new place of residence, we have concern that a new oxygen supplier may not be willing to provide you with the full services to which you are familiar.   Depending of the length of time you have used your equipment, many of these suppliers may not accept you at all.
• The “24/7 on-call” services that we provide may no longer be available, or, we may be now required to charge you for these services.
• Your portable oxygen delivery may drop in frequency (e.g. weekly deliveries will go to monthly).
• The amount of portable oxygen tanks you receive (to enjoy your outside-of-home activities) may be reduced, and/or you may be required to pay out of pocket. 

What can you do?

The changes noted above are not yet final. However, we only have a limited time to contact our elected officials that can affect this Medicare legislation.  Please call your congressman in your home district and your two U.S. senators.  Urge them to repeal this “36-month cap” on your oxygen services.  Let them know that you are worried about how you receive care from your oxygen supplier. Here are your local elected officials that can make an impact on your oxygen services.

Sen. Claire McCaskill
324 Park Central West Ste.101
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone- 417-868-8745

Sen. Kit Bond
300 South Jefferson, Ste.401
Springfield, MO 65806
Phone- 417-864-8258

Rep. Roy Blunt
2740-B East Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone- 417-889-1800

Rep. Kenny Hulshof
33 East Broadway Ste.280
Columbia, MO 65203
573-449-5111

Unfortunately, Medicare has placed the supplier community in this position.  Again, please contact your legislators today and ask them to repeal the 36-month oxygen cap to allow continued full oxygen services. As a local provider we are gravely concerned about the health and safety of all area oxygen patients affected by these changes. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at 417-272-8064.

Sincerely,

Mike Stuart RPH
President/Owner
Lakeland Pharmacy