Many struggle with this foreign Medicare concept, yet it is a fundamental requirement of the Medicare oxygen benefit. For this reason, we felt the need to break it down into simpler terms. Medicare states a "chronic stable state is when a patient is not experiencing a period of acute illness or an exacerbation of their underlying disease."
Essentially, before Medicare will "cover" oxygen therapy we need to be sure temporary conditions are treated and that we only evaluate oxygen use when the lungs are performing at their "best". For instance, if a patient has an identifiable acute illness such as pneumonia, it must be treated before Medicare will pay for oxygen therapy. This is typically accomplished using antibiotics and steroids. If the lungs are still performing poorly after the pneumonia is treated, then Medicare may "cover" oxygen. However, until the pneumonia is treated and resolved, the patient is considered by Medicare to be unstable and ineligible for oxygen coverage through their insurance.
For Medicare, "chronic stable state" is critical to the question of coverage. By assessing medical records with this "coverage" distinction front-and-center, you can better evaluate instances where the insurance will not pay. For a more in-depth look at oxygen medical records and to further explore this concept of "chronic stable state", download Clearing the Air: Evaluating Oxygen Coverage with Medical Records today. Rewind and playback at your convenience!
Essentially, before Medicare will "cover" oxygen therapy we need to be sure temporary conditions are treated and that we only evaluate oxygen use when the lungs are performing at their "best". For instance, if a patient has an identifiable acute illness such as pneumonia, it must be treated before Medicare will pay for oxygen therapy. This is typically accomplished using antibiotics and steroids. If the lungs are still performing poorly after the pneumonia is treated, then Medicare may "cover" oxygen. However, until the pneumonia is treated and resolved, the patient is considered by Medicare to be unstable and ineligible for oxygen coverage through their insurance.
For Medicare, "chronic stable state" is critical to the question of coverage. By assessing medical records with this "coverage" distinction front-and-center, you can better evaluate instances where the insurance will not pay. For a more in-depth look at oxygen medical records and to further explore this concept of "chronic stable state", download Clearing the Air: Evaluating Oxygen Coverage with Medical Records today. Rewind and playback at your convenience!
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