Oxygen costs anywhere from $20 for an industrial tank refill to over $2,000 for a portable medical concentrator, depending on what you need it for. Most people searching this question fall into one of two camps: they or a loved one need supplemental oxygen at home, or they need oxygen for welding, aviation, or another non-medical use. Here’s what to expect across the board.
Home Oxygen Concentrators
A stationary home oxygen concentrator, the type most people with COPD or other lung conditions use, typically costs between $500 and $2,000 to purchase outright. Standard 5-liter-per-minute models sit in the $600 to $950 range. A few examples: the Phoenix 5 bundle sells for around $649, the Inogen Voxi 5 for $675, and the popular EverFlo concentrator (from Philips Respironics) for about $949 on sale. Higher-flow 10-liter-per-minute models for people with greater oxygen needs run $1,400 to $2,000.
Portable oxygen concentrators are significantly more expensive, generally starting above $2,000. These battery-powered units let you move freely outside the house, which is the main reason for the price jump. You’ll also need to replace batteries periodically, though exact costs vary by brand.
Top brands in the home concentrator space include Inogen, Philips Respironics, Caire, Drive Medical, and OxyGo. Certified pre-owned units can bring costs down to around $500 if budget is a concern.
Monthly Cost of Oxygen Therapy
If you’re renting equipment rather than buying, the typical monthly cost for home oxygen equipment and supplies runs about $300 without insurance. That figure covers the concentrator rental, tubing, nasal cannulas, and delivery. Over a year, that adds up to $3,600 out of pocket.
Recurring supplies like nasal cannulas and oxygen tubing need regular replacement (every few weeks for cannulas, every few months for tubing). These are relatively inexpensive individually, often a few dollars each, but the costs accumulate. If you’re renting through a supplier, these consumables are usually bundled into your monthly fee.
What Medicare and Insurance Cover
Medicare Part B covers home oxygen equipment through a 36-month rental structure. During those 36 months, your supplier provides the concentrator, all accessories (cannulas, tubing, masks, humidifiers, regulators), delivery, backup equipment, and maintenance. Everything is included in the rental allowance, with no separate charges for servicing or supplies.
After the 36 rental payments are made, the equipment is essentially yours for the remainder of its five-year useful lifetime. Medicare makes no further payments during that period, but the supplier is no longer obligated to provide services either. A new 36-month rental period only starts if the equipment is damaged beyond repair, stolen, or lost. Simply upgrading to a newer model or switching suppliers doesn’t reset the clock.
People who need more than 4 liters per minute get a higher reimbursement rate, while those needing less than 1 liter per minute receive a lower one. Under standard Medicare Part B, you’re responsible for 20% of the approved amount after meeting your deductible. Private insurance plans vary widely, but most major medical plans cover home oxygen with a prescription and documented medical necessity.
Industrial and Welding Oxygen
If you need oxygen for welding, cutting, or brazing, the cost is measured per tank refill rather than per month. Typical refill prices break down by cylinder size:
- 40 cubic feet: $15 to $25
- 80 cubic feet: $20 to $40
- 125 cubic feet: $30 to $50
These prices are for the gas only. If you don’t already own a cylinder, you’ll either need to buy one (typically $100 to $300 depending on size) or pay a cylinder rental fee on top of the refill cost. Many welding supply shops offer exchange programs where you swap your empty tank for a full one, which simplifies the process but may cost slightly more per fill. Prices vary by region and supplier, so it’s worth calling a few local shops.
Aviation and Recreational Oxygen
Pilots who fly above 12,500 feet and high-altitude athletes need supplemental oxygen too, and the refill costs land in a different range. Based on what general aviation pilots actually report paying, a refill for a small 24-cubic-foot aviation cylinder runs about $40, while larger systems typically cost $50 to $75 per fill. Some pilots save money by getting refills at dive shops, where the same medical-grade oxygen can cost as little as $20 plus tax.
Aviation oxygen systems themselves (built-in or portable units rated for aircraft use) are a larger upfront investment, often several hundred to over a thousand dollars for a complete portable setup with a mask and regulator. The ongoing refill costs, though, are modest compared to other flying expenses.
Buying vs. Renting for Medical Use
The buy-or-rent decision for medical oxygen depends on how long you’ll need it and whether you have insurance. If you’re paying out of pocket at $300 per month for rentals, a $700 concentrator pays for itself in about two and a half months. You’ll still need to buy replacement supplies, but the math favors purchasing for anyone with a long-term need.
Renting makes more sense for short-term recovery situations, like after surgery or a hospitalization, where you might only need oxygen for a few weeks or months. It also makes sense if you want the supplier to handle all maintenance, repairs, and equipment swaps. With Medicare’s rental model, the decision is made for you: you rent for 36 months with full service included, then keep the equipment.
One hidden cost to watch for with purchased concentrators is electricity. A stationary unit running 24 hours a day can add $30 to $50 per month to your electric bill, depending on the model and your local rates. That won’t show up on any product listing, but it’s a real ongoing expense.