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Frequently Asked Questions
Get your questions about home oxygen answered
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Who can receive funding assistance from Home Oxygen?
Answer
In order to receive funding assistance for home oxygen, applicants must be a British Columbia resident with current BC MSP coverage and have an illness resulting in the need for long term oxygen therapy. Applicants must live in the Fraser Health area, but not in an acute, chronic, or residential care or assisted living facility.
Applicants with WCB, ICBC, NIHB, or VAC coverage for home oxygen therapy will not receive funding from Fraser Health Home Oxygen Program.
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How do I apply for Home Oxygen funding assistance?
Answer
To apply for funding assistance, complete an application form, including physician signature, and fax it to the Fraser Health Home Oxygen Program at 604-514-6079. The original application should remain in the client's medical chart.
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What are the medical criteria?
Answer
Applicants, both pediatric and adult, must demonstrate chronic hypoxemia on room air at rest, on exertion or nocturnally.
- At Rest:
PaO2 55 mmHg or SpO2 88% sustained continuously for 6 minutes. (Artifact must be removed) OR
PaO2 = 56-60 mmHg with evidence of Cor Pulmonale, Pulmonary Hypertension, or Congestive Heart Failure
- On Exertion:
Sp02 <88% sustained continuously for a minimum of one minute during the patient's usual type of ambulation on a level surface. Note: the maximum test time shall be 6 minutes and shall not include post-ambulation oxygen saturation
- Nocturnal:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) must be ruled out or maximally treated. Sp02 <88% for > than 30% of a minimum 4 hour nocturnal oximetry study OR Sp02 <88% for > than 20% of a minimum 4 hour nocturnal oximetry study, with evidence of one of the following conditions: Clinically Significant CHF, Cor Pulmonale, Pulmonary Hypertension or Polycythemia
- Infant:
Separate qualifying criteria may exist. Infants with chronic needs for oxygen must be prescribed by Neonatologists or Pediatricians.
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Will palliative care clients receive home oxygen funding?
Answer
Applicants receiving palliative care are required to meet the medical eligibility criteria (noted above) in order to receive home oxygen funding. Those not meeting the criteria will not receive funding assistance.
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What happens if the medical criteria are not met?
Answer
Applications not meeting the eligibility criteria will be rejected for funding assistance. A letter of notification will be forwarded to physician and home oxygen supplier. The applicant, under physician supervision, may obtain oxygen privately or by using their extended health benefits. In this instance, applicants may contact the home oxygen supplier of their choice.
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When will the application be reviewed and who will be notified?
Answer
The Medical Director reviews applications weekly. Once a decision has been made, notification is forwarded to the applicant, physician and oxygen supplier.
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Where do I get more application forms?
Answer
Printed copies of the application form are acceptable. If you require an original application form you can contact the Home Oxygen Program at 604-514-6106.
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How do I arrange the delivery of the home oxygen equipment?
Answer
All hospital and acute care facility applications must be faxed to the approved oxygen supplier, VitalAire Healthcare at 1-866-812-0202.
All physician offices and community applications must contact the Fraser Health Home Oxygen Program for selection of vendor prior to setup by calling 604-514-6106 OR faxing 604-514-6079. After the vendor is selected, the application can be faxed to the appropriate vendor.
MedPro Respiratory fax: 604-521-9286 or toll-free fax 1-888-310-1441.
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