ParisFlaneur

I would like to travel to Paris in May. I am an older woman and have to take oxygen at night only. I would appreciate any advice about how to get an oxygen supply while I am abroad. As much info as possible would be greatly appreciated. Also, is this covered by Medicare and/or supplemental insurance? If not, how expensive would it be to rent an electric oxygen machine (what I currently use). Thanks so much everyone !! I would so love to go back to Paris again ...

Envierges

Sorry, can't help with the rest of your request. Medicare coverage is not possible outside of the US. Your supplemental insurance provider would have its own rules regarding outside of US coverage. Best to check with your supplemental insurance source as policies differ.

janisj

http://oxygenworldwide.com/home.html

WoinParis

Seems in France as in Belgium : you need to go via a doctor to get oxygen.
I've been searching the net and didn't find, sorry. Why don't you ask your oxygen provider where/how to find O2 in France ?

janisj

WoinParis: http://oxygenworldwide.com/where/countries.html

France is listed

Christina

IS it possible for you to rent a portable one and take it with you? That could be the best idea. I don't know what kind you use, but something like this

https://www.1stclassmed.com/inogen-one-g2-rental

I really think you should discuss this with your physician, he or she should have ideas of what to do for patients like you when they travel, and maybe where you can get the portable unit. In fact, maybe then your insurance would cover it if you got it at home (presuming they are covering it now). But I suspect insurance may not cover units for travel, you just have to find these things out. Also, Medicare does not generally cover portable units but may if you are mobile within the home, and your doctor orders it (I think). You obviously must be mobile, so check into that with your doctor. And then you'd have to get the approval from the airline to carry it, also, if that's an issue.

I also would not expect a supplier to just rent it out to anyone in France or most places without a doctor's orders and your insurance coverage information. And you won't have insurance in France, it sounds like, depending on what your supplemental plan covers.

Here is a place in the US that says they rent to people without insurance. That may not be the kind you need, that's what you need to figure out, but $175 a week doesn't seem too bad if that's the only way you can travel.

https://www.noinsurancemedicalsuppli...FRdbhgod0WsNSA

Bedar

I also use oxygen at night but live at 7,000 ft. When I go down to sea level in CA or Europe, I don't use it. Check with your doc about this.

Kathie

I am guessing from what you have written that what you use is an oxygen concentrator. If this is correct, you need to get a portable unit (which either Medicare or your supplemental insurance may cover) and bring it with you to Paris.

nukesafe

How about oxygen while in flight? I start having difficulties on land over about 5,000/7,000 feet. Most airlines set the cabin altitude equivalent at between 6,000 to 8,000 feet. I'm not uncomfortable at that altitude as long as I don't try to do sit-ups in the isle or chasing the flight crew.

Your tolerance to altitude might differ, of course, so you should talk to your Doctor and perhaps your airline about supplemental oxygen for your flight.

PalenQ

If the OP has trouble with smoggy air keep in mind that Paris not untypically has serious problems with this - at times in the past few years the air rivaling that in Beijing.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/1/118...n-smog-traffic

ParisFlaneur

I can't thank everyone enough for your diligence in helping me solve this problem. You have all given me good advice, leads and links to follow up ... Once I have a good resolution, I will post it as it might be helpful to others ... I am hopeful now that I may be able to return at least one more time to Paris, the home of my heart and soul ... Merci

nytraveler

Definitely speak to your MD about this. You may well need it on the plane due to the altitude they set the cabin for. And it will probably be much easier to bring what you need from home that try to sort out in different cities.

Pvoyageuse

Contact your airline - some of them require an anuthorization to take an exoygen concentrator on board.

Sarastro

Onboard an aircraft, you can take an oxygen concentrator but if you need supplemental oxygen, you will not be allowed to carry your own bottles. You can arrange with the airline and have them supply 02 bottles for your use but this is something that needs to be done well in advance of your flight.

AJPeabody

Some of the more expensive Medicare supplemental plans cover foreign travel, Check the details of yours and switch to one that has this coverage if yours does not. I believe plans C D F G M and N do. We are coming up on open enrollment, so now is the time to do your research.

henricat

I don't know the answer, but here is some info (in French) about the subject. France is wonderful in providing at-home nursing assistance, at a very low cost, so maybe this would work for you:
http://www.sosoxygene.com/espace-patient.htm

Christina

Medigap policies that cover foreign travel only cover emergencies, they wouldn't cover oxygen supplies. Now it might be a good idea to get one to cover emergencies, anyway, but if you don't need those plans otherwise, it might be cheaper just to buy a travel insurance policy. And in fact, they won't cover charges if Medicare does not to begin with (except for the foreign emergencies). If Medicare won't cover a portable oxygen machine, Medigap won't either.

From Medicare.gov re oxygen coverage:
<<What happens if I travel by plane?
If you travel by plane, your oxygen supplier isn’t required to give you an airline-approved portable oxygen concentrator, and Medicare won’t pay for any oxygen related to air travel. You may be able to rent a portable oxygen concentrator from your supplier. Also, rentals are available through online companies that work with most airlines. These companies can give you the documentation needed for your travel.>>

nukesafe

I looked up portable oxygen generators online and saw them advertised for over $2,000. I then looked on eBay, and saw them going for between $200 and $300. If the eBay things actually work, and are allowed on aircraft, they might be more cost effective than some of the other options discussed so far.

Just saying ---