Medical-grade oxygen is a prescription drug in the United States, so where you can buy it depends on whether you need it for a diagnosed medical condition or for occasional, non-medical use. Most people searching this question have a respiratory condition and want to understand their options for getting oxygen equipment at home. The short answer: you’ll work with a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, buy an oxygen concentrator from a medical supply retailer, or in some cases pick up non-prescription canned oxygen from a general retailer.
You Need a Prescription for Medical Oxygen
Under federal law, oxygen is classified as a prescription drug. The FDA has consistently regulated it this way because of its potential for harm if used incorrectly, and the agency has formally declined requests to change that status. The labeling on medical oxygen must include the statement: “Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription.”
This means you cannot walk into a store and buy a medical oxygen tank or get a refill without a valid prescription from a licensed provider. Your doctor will typically order a blood oxygen test or overnight oximetry reading first. If your oxygen saturation falls below certain thresholds, or if you have a condition that demonstrably improves with supplemental oxygen, you qualify for a prescription.
Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers
The most common route for home oxygen is through a DME supplier. These companies deliver oxygen equipment to your home, set it up, and train you on how to use it. They also handle ongoing refills, pick up empty cylinders, and perform regular maintenance and service checks on your equipment. Many DME suppliers operate regionally, though some national companies serve broad areas.
Your doctor’s office will often have relationships with specific DME providers and can make a referral directly. You can also search for Medicare-approved suppliers in your area through Medicare’s supplier directory if you’re a beneficiary. The supplier handles most of the paperwork, coordinating with your insurance and your prescribing provider to get equipment delivered, often within a day or two of the order.
Buying an Oxygen Concentrator Directly
If you have a prescription, you can also purchase an oxygen concentrator outright from online medical supply retailers. This is a popular choice for people who want to own their equipment rather than rent it, or who need a portable unit for travel and daily errands.
There are two main types of concentrators. Stationary units plug into a wall outlet, weigh around 22 pounds, and run continuously as long as you have power. They’re designed to sit in one spot in your home and deliver a steady flow of oxygen. Portable concentrators are smaller, lighter, and run on rechargeable batteries. A single battery typically lasts two to six hours, while a double battery can stretch to five to 13 hours depending on the model and flow setting.
Prices for new portable concentrators range from about $1,995 to $3,295 as of early 2026. The lightest models weigh under 3 pounds, while larger portable units that offer continuous flow (not just pulse-dose delivery) can weigh 10 to 18 pounds. Certified pre-owned units with a two-year warranty start around $1,295. Some retailers sell bundles pairing a portable concentrator with a stationary home unit for $4,300 to $5,500.
Retailers like Main Clinic Supply, 1800Wheelchair, and similar online medical equipment stores carry these units. You’ll need to provide your prescription information before they ship.
What About Canned Oxygen?
You’ve probably seen small cans of oxygen sold at pharmacies, sporting goods stores, or on Amazon. These over-the-counter products deliver about 95% oxygen in short bursts through an attached face mask and come in cans ranging from 1 to 12 liters. They’re marketed for post-exercise recovery and mild altitude sickness, and they do not require a prescription.
These products are not regulated by the FDA as medical devices, and their labels explicitly state they are not approved for medical use. Despite this, a published review of consumer feedback found that many buyers were using canned oxygen as a substitute for prescribed medical oxygen, reporting use for shortness of breath, COPD, and asthma. Some people with home oxygen prescriptions were using the cans as a replacement for portable concentrators while running errands.
This is risky. Canned oxygen delivers only brief puffs and cannot sustain the continuous or pulse-dose flow that medical conditions require. For conditions like COPD or asthma flare-ups, oxygen alone isn’t even the primary treatment. If you’re relying on canned oxygen for a breathing problem, you need a proper evaluation and prescription instead.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part B covers home oxygen equipment as durable medical equipment, which means you typically pay 20% of the approved amount after meeting your deductible. To qualify, your medical record needs to document that you’re symptomatic and that your oxygen levels meet specific criteria, or that you have a condition that measurably improves with oxygen therapy. If you also have obstructive sleep apnea, the qualifying oxygen test must be done after your sleep apnea is being optimally treated.
Most private insurance plans cover home oxygen similarly, though the specifics vary. If you’re going through a DME supplier, they’ll usually verify your coverage before delivering equipment. If you’re buying a concentrator outright from a retailer, you may need to submit receipts to your insurer for reimbursement, and not all plans will cover a direct purchase the same way they’d cover a rental through an approved supplier.
Flying With Home Oxygen
If you travel by air, you cannot bring oxygen tanks on a plane, but you can bring an FAA-accepted portable oxygen concentrator. The FAA no longer approves individual models case by case. Instead, any concentrator that meets their acceptance criteria is allowed on board. The device must be legally marketed in the U.S. per FDA requirements, must not emit radio frequency interference, must not generate compressed gas, and must not contain hazardous materials beyond standard batteries.
Newer concentrators that weren’t listed under the original FAA rule must carry a red label stating the manufacturer has confirmed the device meets all FAA acceptance criteria. Airlines may ask to see this label, so check your unit before you travel. Most concentrators sold by major retailers in 2026 are already FAA-compliant, but confirm before purchasing if air travel is a priority for you.