December 2025 - Rotech Healthcare

A COPD Awareness Month Guide

Every November, COPD Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of the most common and often misunderstood chronic health conditions in the United States: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, and millions more may have it without knowing.¹ Because COPD develops slowly, its early warning signs often go unnoticed or are mistaken for normal aging, allergies, or simply being “out of shape.”

If you or someone you love has been experiencing persistent breathing issues, knowing what to look for can make all the difference.

What Is COPD?

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It’s a long-term lung condition that makes it hard to breathe over time. COPD isn’t just one disease. It is a group of progressive lung diseases¹, mainly these two conditions:

Chronic bronchitis, which causes a long-term cough and mucus due to inflamed airways
Emphysema, which damages the tiny air sacs in the lungs, making it hard to get enough oxygen

What Causes COPD?

Most cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs. Common causes include²:

Smoking cigarettes or cigars
Breathing in secondhand smoke
Air pollution, dust, or workplace chemicals
Long-term asthma or respiratory infections
Rarely, a genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Smoking is the most common cause, but even nonsmokers can develop COPD.

Why Early Diagnosis Is So Important

COPD gets worse over time, but early treatment can slow down the damage. If caught early, people with COPD can:

Breathe easier with the right medications or oxygen therapy
Reduce flare-ups and infections
Stay active and independent longer
Avoid trips to the ER or hospital

Knowing the warning signs can help you get care before your symptoms interfere with daily life.

7 Early Signs of COPD You Shouldn’t Ignore

These warning signs are your body’s way of signaling that your lungs might need help. If you notice several of these symptoms³ regularly, it’s time to speak with a healthcare provider.

1. A Persistent Cough That Won’t Go Away

A lingering cough, sometimes called a “smoker’s cough,” is one of the earliest and most common signs of COPD. It might be dry or bring up mucus (phlegm), especially in the mornings.

What it means: Your lungs may be irritated or inflamed, trying to clear out built-up mucus.

2. Shortness of Breath During Normal Activities

Do you get winded climbing stairs, walking to the mailbox, or doing chores you used to do easily? This kind of breathlessness, especially if it’s new or getting worse, is a key sign of COPD.

What it means: Your lungs may not be exchanging oxygen properly, especially if air is getting trapped inside them.

3. Wheezing or Whistling When Breathing

If you hear a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe, especially at night, it may be caused by narrowed or blocked airways.

What it means: Wheezing can happen with asthma, but in adults over 40, it’s also linked to COPD. Don’t ignore it.

4. Frequent Chest Colds or Infections

Getting sick often with bronchitis, pneumonia, or other respiratory infections? It could be a red flag.

What it means: COPD makes it harder for your lungs to clear viruses and bacteria. You might find yourself catching colds more easily or taking longer to recover.

5. Feeling Tightness or Pressure in the Chest

Chest discomfort in COPD doesn’t usually feel sharp like a heart attack. It may feel more like heaviness, pressure, or tightness, especially when moving around.

What it means: Your lungs might be overinflated, straining your breathing muscles and making it harder to take a deep breath.

6. Mucus That’s Hard to Clear

Are you coughing up more mucus than usual? Is it thick, sticky, or colored (yellow or green)? You may be producing too much mucus, even without an infection.

What it means: This is a common sign of chronic bronchitis and can make breathing more difficult.

7. Constant Fatigue or Low Energy

Feeling exhausted all the time, even after a full night’s sleep, is another early clue.

What it means: Your body may not be getting enough oxygen, which can lead to tiredness, weakness, and trouble focusing.

What to Do if You Think You Have COPD

If any of these symptoms feel familiar, here’s what you can do:

Track your symptoms. Write down when they happen and what makes them better or worse.
See your doctor. A simple breathing test called spirometry can measure how well your lungs are working.
Get a diagnosis. If COPD is suspected, your doctor may recommend medications, inhalers, lifestyle changes, or oxygen therapy.
Ask questions. Learn what type of COPD you have and what treatments can help.
Don’t wait. The earlier you start managing COPD, the more control you’ll have over your breathing and your future health.

Getting help sooner really makes a difference. Studies show that getting diagnosed and treated for COPD earlier can help keep you out of the hospital, stop your symptoms from getting worse, and make it easier for you to feel better day to day.⁴

How Rotech Healthcare Supports People with COPD

At Rotech Healthcare, we believe no one should struggle to breathe or navigate their care alone. We specialize in helping patients manage COPD with reliable respiratory equipment, personalized support, and compassionate care.

Here’s how we help:

Oxygen Therapy, Customized for You

Portable and home oxygen concentrators
Fast local delivery and setup
24/7 phone support to answer your questions and troubleshoot equipment

Sleep Therapy (CPAP and BiLevel)

For patients with an overlap of COPD and sleep apnea
Resupply services to keep your therapy consistent

Trusted Clinical Support

Licensed respiratory therapists who work directly with your doctor
Educational support for you and your caregivers
Ongoing therapy monitoring

Insurance Coordination Made Easy

We work with most major insurance plans and Medicare Part B
We handle the paperwork, so you can breathe easier

Visit www.rotech.com to find your local office or start your oxygen referral today.

Find a Local Rotech Near You

Rotech Is Here to Help You Breathe Easier

If you recognize any of these early COPD symptoms in yourself or a loved one, don’t wait! Take control of your lung health today. COPD may sound scary, but with the right care, you can live a full, active life.

Schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to discuss your concerns and get the answers you need. And remember that you’re not alone on this journey. Rotech is here to support you with expert guidance, compassionate care, and quality respiratory equipment every step of the way.

This COPD Awareness Month, take the first step toward better breathing.

Contact your local Rotech office or visit Rotech.com to learn more.

References

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html

² American Lung Association. (2025, March 19). COPD Causes and Risk Factors. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/what-causes-copd

³ American Lung Association. (2023, April 28). COPD Symptoms. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms

4 Larsson, K., Janson, C., Ställberg, B., Lisspers, K., Olsson, P., Kostikas, K., Gruenberger, J.-B., Gutzwiller, F. S., Uhde, M., Jorgensen, L., & Johansson, G. (2019). Impact of COPD diagnosis timing on clinical and economic outcomes: the ARCTIC observational cohort study. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 14(14), 995–1008. https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S195382

Open enrollment is the perfect time to review and update your insurance plan. And if you rely on medical equipment and supplies at home, like a CPAP machine, oxygen system, or wound therapy supplies, updating your insurance details now can help you avoid billing issues, delays, or interruptions in care.

At Rotech Healthcare, we know it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to help you and your caregivers feel confident, stay covered, and keep your therapy on track.

1. Why Open Enrollment Matters for Home Medical Equipment

Each fall, open enrollment gives you the chance to update or change your insurance plan. Depending on your plan type, here are the key dates:

Medicare: October 15 to December 7
Employer or Marketplace Plans: Varies, but often in the fall

Even if you don’t switch plans, things can change, like plan ID numbers, coverage terms, or supplier networks. These changes can affect your home medical equipment (HME) coverage, so it’s smart to double-check and update your provider.

What can change with your insurance?

Plan ID or group number
In-network providers or equipment suppliers
Coverage frequency for supplies or rentals
Preauthorization rules or secondary insurance

If these aren’t updated with your HME provider, it could lead to billing problems or therapy delays.

Insurance Questions? Call Rotech for Help

2. What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Insurance

When home equipment is involved, it’s more than just “my plan changed.” Missing updates can cause real problems, especially for therapies you depend on every day.

You might experience:

Delays in receiving resupply items (like CPAP tubing, mask cushions, or wound dressings)
Rental coverage gaps for oxygen or wound therapy equipment
Denied insurance claims due to outdated information
Unexpected out-of-pocket costs
A pause in therapy if your new insurer isn’t coordinated with your provider

Important: Your equipment provider must be enrolled with your insurer and bill correctly, or your coverage won’t apply.

Need to confirm if Rotech accepts your insurance? Call our Patient Account Department at 877-389-1532 today or visit www.rotech.com.

3. What to Share with Rotech

To keep your setup smooth, be sure to update Rotech with the following:

Front and back of your new insurance card
Policyholder name and member ID
Effective date of your new plan
Any secondary coverage (spouse, Medicaid, employer, etc.)
Contact updates (address, phone, email)
A list of the equipment you use (CPAP, oxygen, wound therapy)

Even if your plan didn’t change, letting us know you’ve reviewed your benefits allows us to verify that everything is still aligned.

4. Why It Matters for CPAP, Oxygen, and Wound Care

Different types of therapy have different insurance requirements. Here’s how open enrollment could affect your care:

CPAP & Sleep Therapy

If you use CPAP, plan changes could mean new replacement timelines, different networks, or new rules for supply eligibility. We help verify those benefits, so your therapy continues without gaps.

Home Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen systems and accessories are typically covered under Medicare Part B or other plans, but network shifts could affect your setup.

We’ll work with your new insurer to keep things seamless.

Wound Care

Advanced wound care supplies or negative pressure wound therapy often need physician orders and preauthorization. If your plan changes, we’ll coordinate all the paperwork behind the scenes.

5. How Rotech Makes It Easy

Our job is to take the stress out of coverage and equipment coordination. Here’s how we help, during open enrollment and year-round:

We accept most Medicare and commercial plans
We walk you through submitting updated insurance info — just one call or portal upload is all it takes
If you switch plans, we coordinate directly with your new insurer
We schedule your supply shipments or oxygen deliveries once benefits are confirmed

Common Questions from Patients

Q: If I didn’t change my plan this year, do I still need to update Rotech?

A: Yes. Confirming your plan details each year helps us avoid billing or shipment delays. Better safe than sorry!

Q: My plan is changing networks. Will that affect my CPAP supplies?

A: Possibly. If your current supplier is no longer in-network, coverage may change. Call us today at 877-389-1532 or use our online chat, and we’ll help you check.

Q: I’m switching to a Medicare Advantage plan. Will I lose coverage for my CPAP or oxygen?

A: You’ll still have coverage, but network rules and billing processes may change. We can help you verify and update everything.

Quick Checklist: What to Do Next

Step 1: Know your enrollment period:

Medicare: Oct 15–Dec 7
Employer/Marketplace: varies

Step 2: Review your plan with your equipment needs in mind:

Do you regularly use CPAP, oxygen, or wound therapy supplies?
Will your new plan still cover them?

Step 3: Send Rotech your updated insurance info.

Step 4: Let us verify your benefits and resupply schedule.

Step 5: Keep your equipment in good working order and reach out with any questions.

Note: If you update your plan after enrollment but before January 1, be sure to let us know so we can make timely adjustments.

Stay Supplied, Supported, and Stress-Free

You already have enough to focus on with your health, your family, and your routine. Let Rotech take care of the insurance details behind the scenes.

Need help updating your insurance info or wondering how your plan affects your equipment?

Reach out to your local Rotech office. We’re ready to help.

Reach Out to a Rotech Location Near You

Blog posts from December 2025