Getting an Inogen portable oxygen concentrator involves three steps: qualifying with a prescription, choosing the right model, and deciding how to buy or finance it. You can purchase directly from Inogen, through an authorized dealer, or work with a durable medical equipment supplier that bills insurance. Prices start around $795 for the stationary home unit and reach $2,795 or more for portable models, though insurance and financing options can significantly reduce what you pay out of pocket.
You Need a Prescription First
A portable oxygen concentrator is a prescription medical device. You cannot legally purchase one without a doctor’s order, regardless of whether you pay cash or go through insurance. Your physician needs to document a specific diagnosis, the oxygen flow rate you require, how many hours per day you’ll use it, and the expected duration of need.
To write that prescription, your doctor will order a blood oxygen test. The standard threshold for coverage is an arterial oxygen level at or below 55 mm Hg, or a blood oxygen saturation reading at or below 88%, measured while you’re at rest and breathing room air. The test must be done while your condition is stable, not during a flare-up or acute illness. If your oxygen only drops during exercise or physical activity, your doctor may order a six-minute walk test, where you walk along a flat corridor while your oxygen levels are monitored. This demonstrates that you need supplemental oxygen when you’re mobile, which is specifically what a portable concentrator is designed for.
For insurance purposes, your doctor completes a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMS Form 484), which serves as the formal documentation linking your test results to the prescription. Even if you plan to pay cash and skip insurance entirely, you still need the underlying prescription from your physician.
Choosing an Inogen Model
Inogen currently sells four products at different price points and for different needs. All of their portable units deliver oxygen in pulse doses, meaning the device senses when you inhale and delivers a burst of concentrated oxygen at that moment rather than flowing continuously. This makes the devices lighter and the batteries last longer, but it means they aren’t suitable for everyone. Some people, particularly those who need oxygen during sleep or who breathe through their mouth, may require continuous flow. Talk to your doctor about whether pulse dose delivery will work for you before committing to a purchase.
Portable Models
The Inogen Rove 6 and Inogen Rove 4 are the current flagship portable units, both starting at $2,795. The Rove 6 weighs about 4.8 pounds and supports pulse dose settings from 1 to 6, with battery life up to 13 hours using an extended battery. The Rove 4 is a smaller option for people who need lower flow settings. Both are FAA-approved for air travel.
The now-discontinued Inogen One G5 is very similar to the Rove 6 in specs: about 4.7 pounds, settings 1 through 6, and up to 13 hours on a double battery. You may still find refurbished G5 units through authorized dealers at a lower price point.
Home and Budget Options
The Inogen At Home is a stationary concentrator starting at $1,695 that plugs into a wall outlet and delivers continuous flow oxygen for home use. It doesn’t run on batteries and isn’t meant for travel. The Inogen Voxi 5 starts at $795 and is the most affordable option in the lineup.
Buying Direct vs. Through a Dealer
You have two main paths: purchase directly from Inogen, or buy through an authorized third-party dealer. Each has trade-offs worth understanding before you spend several thousand dollars.
Buying from Inogen directly means your warranty and service relationship is straightforward. If something breaks, you deal with the manufacturer. The downside is that Inogen’s pricing tends to be fixed, and package deals may be limited.
Authorized dealers sometimes offer better overall value by bundling extras. Some dealers include additional batteries, carrying cases, or extended warranties as part of a package price. A transferable five-year warranty, free loaner units during repairs, and the ability to trade toward a different model if your needs change are all things dealers have offered that Inogen itself may not match. The key word is “authorized.” An authorized dealer can service and repair Inogen products. If you buy from an unauthorized reseller, you may find that Inogen won’t honor the warranty or provide service support.
Before you commit to either route, get quotes in writing from both Inogen and at least one authorized dealer. Compare the warranty duration, whether the warranty transfers if you sell the unit, what happens if you need a loaner during repairs, and what the return policy and restocking fee look like. Also confirm how many batteries are included. Extra batteries are essential for real-world mobility, and buying them separately later is more expensive than negotiating them into a package upfront.
Insurance, Medicare, and Financing
Medicare and most private insurers cover home oxygen equipment when you meet the clinical criteria described above. However, coverage for portable oxygen concentrators specifically can be complicated. Medicare classifies oxygen equipment under durable medical equipment and typically covers it as a rental through a contracted supplier rather than as a direct purchase. This means you may receive a different brand of concentrator than Inogen, depending on what your supplier carries. If you want an Inogen specifically, you may need to pay out of pocket or negotiate with a supplier who stocks that brand.
For portable oxygen, Medicare requires documentation that you are mobile within your home and would benefit from a portable system. If your oxygen qualification is based solely on blood oxygen levels measured during sleep, a portable unit won’t be covered.
If you’re paying out of pocket, Inogen offers several ways to reduce the upfront cost. Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) can be used since oxygen concentrators are qualified medical expenses. Inogen also offers financing plans that let you spread payments over time, and they advertise cash-pay discounts. Call their sales line directly and ask about current promotions, as pricing and financing terms change.
What to Do Before You Buy
Start with your pulmonologist or primary care doctor. Ask specifically about portable oxygen and whether pulse dose delivery is appropriate for your condition. Some people do well on pulse dose during the day but need continuous flow at night, which would mean you need two devices or a different setup entirely. Your doctor can also tell you what flow setting you’ll likely need, which determines whether a smaller, less expensive model will work or whether you need a unit that goes up to setting 6.
Once you have your prescription, request a trial if possible. Some dealers and suppliers let you test a unit before purchasing. Pay attention to how the device feels at your typical activity level. A concentrator that keeps up with your breathing while you’re sitting may struggle when you’re walking briskly or climbing stairs. When your breathing rate exceeds the device’s response rate, the pulse doses become diluted or the unit skips breaths entirely, reducing how much oxygen you actually receive. This is a real limitation of all pulse dose concentrators, not just Inogen, and it matters most for people with higher oxygen needs or active lifestyles.
Finally, factor in ongoing costs. Batteries degrade over time and will eventually need replacement. Filters require periodic cleaning or swapping. And if your oxygen needs increase in the future, you may outgrow a lower-setting model. Choosing a dealer with a trade-in or upgrade policy can save you money down the road.