Skip to main content

Rotech Healthcare

Blog posts from November 2026

New Insurance Plan for January? What Home Medical Equipment Users Should Do Now

Maybe a new insurance card came in the mail. Maybe your employer switched carriers, or you picked a different Medicare plan during Open Enrollment. Either way, your coverage changes on January 1, and you probably have a lot going on before then.

If you use home medical equipment or receive regular supplies, add one more task to your list: Tell Rotech about your new insurance plan before January.

Sending your new information early gives our team more time to update your account and contact you if anything else is needed before your next supply order, delivery, or service visit.

Related Resource

Still comparing plans? Start with How to Update Your Insurance for Home Medical Equipment During Open Enrollment.

Quick Answer

What Should You Do If Your Insurance Changes in January?

Gather your new insurance plan details and effective date, then send them to Rotech before your next supply order or service need. Ask your insurer whether Rotech and your prescribed equipment are covered under the new plan. If your new plan asks for updated paperwork, contact your healthcare provider.


How Can a New Insurance Plan Affect Your Equipment and Supplies?

Every insurance plan works a little differently. A new plan, or even a different plan from the same insurer, may have its own rules for:

  • Networks: Your plan may have a specific list of in-network home medical equipment suppliers.
  • Covered equipment and supplies: Coverage may differ by item or service.
  • Documentation: A plan may request certain medical records, prescriptions, or prior authorization before covering an item.
  • Supply schedules: Coverage for replacement items, such as CPAP masks, cushions, filters, or tubing, may vary.
  • Your costs: Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance may change with the new plan.

A coverage change doesn’t necessarily mean your setup will need to change. However, your insurer may have different network, coverage, or documentation requirements.

If you use oxygen, CPAP or BiLevel therapy, a ventilator, a nebulizer, airway-clearance equipment, wound-care products, diabetes supplies, or other Rotech products and services, update your account and ask your insurer how the new plan covers your specific equipment or supplies.


Your January Insurance Checklist

Have these details ready:

  • ☐ New insurance company and plan name
  • ☐ Member ID number
  • ☐ Group number, if your card has one
  • ☐ Date your new coverage starts
  • ☐ Policyholder’s name and date of birth, if it’s not you
  • ☐ Photos of the front and back of your new card. The patient portal lets you upload them.
  • ☐ Details for any second plan you’ll have in January
  • ☐ Any phone number, address, or email changes

You can use the Rotech patient portal to update your information and upload images of your insurance cards.

When Should You Update Rotech?

Update Rotech as soon as your new plan information is available. You don’t need to wait until when your new plan is active.

Sharing the information before your next order, delivery, or service visit gives our team more time to update your account and let you know if additional information is needed. Early notice won’t head off every possible delay, but it can help you avoid last-minute surprises.

You can update Rotech in whichever way works best for you:

  • Online: Use the patient portal to update your information and upload pictures of your insurance cards.
  • Phone: Call the Insurance Change Team at 800-252-0671, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
  • Email: Use the email option on Rotech’s insurance changes page.
  • Local office: Contact your local Rotech location.
  • Mail: Write your new details on the back of your statement or payment coupon and mail it to Rotech.

How Do You Check Whether Rotech Is In Network?

Start with your insurer. Call the member-services number on your new card and ask whether your servicing Rotech location is in network for your specific plan.

Networks can vary by plan and location, so have your ZIP code and Rotech location information available when you call.

Then confirm the information with your local Rotech team. Rotech participates with most insurance companies and the majority of large nationwide plans, but accepted coverage should be confirmed for your specific plan and location.

You can find your closest office using Rotech’s location finder.


Will You Need a New Prescription or Paperwork?

You may, but requirements vary by plan, equipment, and supply.

Here’s who usually handles what:

Your insurer: Sets coverage, network, authorization, benefit, and documentation requirements.


Your healthcare provider: Writes prescriptions and provides medical records or other clinical documentation.


Rotech: Updates the insurance information on your account and lets you know when additional information has been requested for an equipment or supply order.

Rotech doesn’t make the final coverage decision. Contact your insurer for questions about benefits, network participation, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or authorization requirements.


What If Your New Insurance Card Hasn’t Arrived?

You can still let Rotech know that an insurance change is coming.

Check your insurer’s member portal, app, or enrollment materials to see whether your new plan name, member ID, and coverage start date are available. If those details aren’t available yet, contact the insurer for help.

Once the new card arrives or becomes available digitally, submit images of the front and back through the My Rotech Portal or another option listed on the insurance changes page.


What If You Have More Than One Insurance Plan?

If you’ll have two plans in January, tell Rotech about both. Common examples are Medicare plus a retiree plan, Medicare plus Medicaid, or coverage through your job and your spouse’s job.

When you have more than one plan, rules decide which one pays first. This is called coordination of benefits. Medicare’s Who pays first? tool explains common situations. Your insurer can confirm how it works for your plans.


Who Should You Call With Questions?

Contact your insurer or plan administrator for coverage questions, network status, deductibles and copays, and replacement or digital ID cards.

Contact your healthcare provider for prescriptions, medical records, and other documentation your plan asks for.

Contact Rotech for updating your insurance on file, orders and deliveries, supplies, and equipment service.


How Rotech Helps With Insurance Changes

Insurance changes can create a lot of small questions, especially when equipment or recurring supplies are part of your routine.

Our role is to help with the Rotech side of the process. Once you send us your new information, we can update your account and let you know if anything else is needed for an equipment order, supply request, delivery, or service visit.

You can also use the My Rotech Portal to update personal information, view documents you’ve signed, and get reorder reminders.

If you’d rather speak with someone, contact your local Rotech location. Our team can help you update your information and direct plan-specific coverage questions to the appropriate insurer.


Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Changes and Home Medical Equipment

When should I tell Rotech my insurance is changing?

Tell Rotech as soon as your new plan details are available. You don’t need to wait until the plan begins. Early notice gives the team more time to update your account before your next equipment, supply, or service need.


What insurance information should I send?

Send the new insurer and plan name, member ID, group number if applicable, coverage start date, policyholder information, and details for any additional plan. Rotech’s patient portal also allows you to upload images of the front and back of your insurance card.


Does Rotech accept my new insurance plan?

Rotech participates with most insurance companies and the majority of large nationwide plans, but acceptance depends on the specific plan and location. Ask your insurer and confirm with your local Rotech office.


Will my CPAP supplies still be covered?

Coverage depends on your new plan. Plans may have different network, documentation, authorization, and replacement requirements. Ask your insurer about your benefits, and update Rotech before your next supply order.


Can a new plan affect my home oxygen equipment?

It may. A new plan can have different network, coverage, cost, or documentation requirements. Submit your new insurance information to Rotech and ask your insurer how the plan covers your prescribed oxygen equipment.


Will I need a new prescription?

You might. Some plans ask for new or updated documentation, and requirements vary by plan and item. If your plan needs something, your healthcare provider supplies it, and Rotech can help coordinate the request.


What if my new insurance card hasn’t arrived?

You can still let Rotech know a change is coming. Check your insurer’s member portal or app for a digital ID card, or look at your enrollment materials for your member ID and start date. Send card photos once the card arrives.


What if I have Medicare and another insurance plan?

Tell Rotech about both plans. Coordination-of-benefits rules determine which plan pays first. Contact Medicare and your other insurer for guidance about your specific coverage.


Who decides whether my equipment or supplies are covered?

Your insurance plan decides what’s covered, based on its own rules. Rotech can update your information, check your plan details, and let you know if anything else is needed. Your insurer can answer questions about your specific benefits.


Could changing insurance delay my next order?

It’s possible, especially if your new information isn’t on file or your plan needs new paperwork. If you update your new insurance plan for home medical equipment early, Rotech has more time to sort out questions before your order is due.


Get Ready for January Now

A new insurance plan for home medical equipment starts with one simple step: tell Rotech. Gather your new card details, update your insurance information, and check with your insurer about your network. If you have questions about your account or next order, your local Rotech team can help.

This article provides general information. Insurance coverage, networks, costs, and documentation requirements vary by plan. Contact your insurer for details about your benefits.

Oxygen Concentrator vs. Oxygen Tank: What’s the Difference?

Maybe you have a machine humming in your living room, plus a smaller tank or portable unit by the door for appointments and errands. You might reasonably wonder why you need two pieces of equipment for the same oxygen, and what the difference is between them.

Knowing how your equipment works can help you feel more confident using it at home and on the go. This guide covers the oxygen concentrator vs. oxygen tank question in plain terms. It explains how each one supplies oxygen, how they differ in day-to-day use, and why your healthcare provider may have prescribed the setup you have.

Quick Answer

What’s the Difference Between an Oxygen Concentrator and an Oxygen Tank?

The main difference is where the oxygen comes from. A concentrator draws in room air and produces concentrated oxygen while it has power. A tank, or cylinder, holds a limited supply of stored oxygen. The systems also differ in power needs, portability, storage, and refilling or replacement. Your prescription and daily needs determine which system you use.

What Is an Oxygen Concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that makes oxygen-rich air from the room air around you. It draws in air, removes most of the nitrogen, and delivers concentrated oxygen through tubing and a nasal cannula.

Because it works with the air around you, a concentrator doesn’t run out the same way a tank does. It does need a reliable power source to operate, though.

There are two main kinds:

Home or stationary oxygen concentrators
These larger units plug into a wall outlet. They’re often prescribed for routine use at home, including during sleep if that’s part of your prescription.


Portable oxygen concentrators
These smaller units are designed for use away from home. Depending on the model, they may run on rechargeable batteries, household electricity, or another approved power source.

Portable concentrators aren’t all alike. Models differ in how they deliver oxygen, which settings they offer, and how long their batteries last. Many portable oxygen concentrators provide oxygen in pulses when you breathe in, while some provide a continuous flow or offer both options.

A setting on one device doesn’t necessarily provide the same oxygen output as the same numbered setting on another device. Your healthcare provider and equipment team should confirm that a specific device fits your prescription.

Rotech provides home oxygen therapy, including home oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen systems, and portable oxygen concentrators.


What Is an Oxygen Tank or Cylinder?

An oxygen tank, also called an oxygen cylinder, holds oxygen that has already been produced and stored, usually as compressed gas. It doesn’t produce oxygen from the air.

When the stored supply runs low, the cylinder must be refilled or replaced through the oxygen supplier. The exact process depends on the equipment.

Tanks come in different sizes. Larger cylinders may remain mostly in one place, while smaller cylinders can travel in an appropriate carrier or cart. Some systems use a device that releases oxygen when you breathe in, depending on the equipment and prescription.

How long a tank lasts depends on its size, your prescribed oxygen setting, its delivery device, and how it’s used. That’s why there’s no single answer to how long an oxygen tank lasts. Your equipment team can explain what to expect from your setup.


Oxygen Concentrator vs. Oxygen Tank: Key Differences

Feature Oxygen Concentrator Oxygen Tank or Cylinder
How oxygen is supplied Concentrates oxygen from surrounding air Holds a limited supply of stored oxygen
Power requirements Needs electricity or a charged battery, depending on the model Usually doesn’t require electricity to release stored oxygen
Portability Home units remain mostly in one place; portable models support mobility Depends on the cylinder size and carrying system
Refills or replacement Doesn’t require oxygen refills, but portable-unit batteries need charging Must be refilled or replaced when the supply runs low
Noise Produces some operating noise because it contains powered components Usually doesn’t produce motor noise
Backup planning Requires planning for outages, charging, and battery operation Requires monitoring the remaining supply and arranging replacement or refilling
Storage Needs room for airflow around the unit, following manufacturer instructions Needs secure storage away from heat, flames, and other ignition sources
Common role Often used for routine home oxygen; portable models may support mobility May support mobility, backup planning, or another prescribed need

Equipment models, prescriptions, insurance coverage, and local availability vary. This table explains general differences and doesn’t determine which system is appropriate for you.


Is an Oxygen Concentrator Better Than an Oxygen Tank?

Neither system is better for everyone.

A home oxygen concentrator may work well for someone who regularly uses oxygen at home and has reliable access to electricity. A portable oxygen concentrator or smaller oxygen cylinder may support mobility, depending on the prescription.

The appropriate system depends on:

  • Your prescribed oxygen setting and delivery method
  • When and how often you use oxygen
  • Your needs during rest, activity, and sleep
  • Power and backup requirements
  • Your daily routine and mobility needs
  • Coverage and local equipment availability

Your healthcare provider determines your medical oxygen needs. Your equipment team helps make sure the prescribed system is set up and operating correctly.


Why Might Someone Be Prescribed More Than One Oxygen System?

Some people use one system for routine home oxygen and another for mobility, travel, or backup planning.

For example, you may use a home oxygen concentrator for daily use and sleep, plus a portable oxygen system for appointments, errands, or time with family. A second system may also support another need your healthcare provider has identified.

Your oxygen needs may differ during rest, activity, and sleep. The American Thoracic Society’s oxygen-therapy guidance explains that healthcare providers may prescribe different oxygen settings for these situations. Use each system at the setting prescribed for that situation.

Not everyone needs more than one system. What you receive depends on your prescription, routine, coverage, and the equipment available in your area.

If you’re still learning how your equipment fits together, Rotech Healthcare can help explain how to operate and care for the equipment you’ve been prescribed.


What Should You Know About Power and Backup Planning?

Concentrators need power. A home concentrator usually runs on a wall outlet, while a portable concentrator may use a rechargeable battery or another approved power source, depending on the model.

Without electricity or a charged battery, a concentrator can’t produce oxygen.

Oxygen tanks don’t normally require electricity to release stored oxygen, but they hold a limited supply. Once that supply runs low, the cylinder must be refilled or replaced.

Because these systems have different power and supply needs, make a backup plan before you need it. Ask your healthcare provider and oxygen supplier what to do during a power outage, storm, or other emergency.

Your plan should be based on your prescription and equipment rather than a general rule. Rotech Healthcare’s patient resources include information about emergency preparedness and proper equipment use.


What Should You Know About Refills, Supplies, and Maintenance?

Every oxygen system requires some upkeep, but the type of care depends on the equipment.

Make sure you know:

  • Whether your system needs cylinder replacement or refilling, battery charging, or another process
  • Which supplies you use, such as tubing, nasal cannulas, or filters
  • How and when to reorder supplies
  • How to clean and care for your equipment using its approved instructions
  • Who to call with service or equipment questions

Follow the instructions provided with your equipment rather than a general maintenance schedule. Rotech’s home oxygen resources include patient information and instruction guides for certain oxygen equipment.


What Are the Basic Safety Rules for Home Oxygen?

Oxygen isn’t flammable, but it supports combustion. This means materials may burn more readily in an oxygen-rich environment.

Keep oxygen equipment away from smoking, heat, open flames, and other ignition sources. Store cylinders securely, keep concentrator vents clear, and follow the instructions from your healthcare provider, equipment supplier, and equipment manufacturer.


What Should You Ask About Your Oxygen Equipment?

Bring these questions to your healthcare provider and equipment team:

  • Which system am I prescribed to use at home?
  • Which equipment should I use when I leave home?
  • What oxygen setting has been prescribed for me?
  • Do my instructions change during activity or sleep?
  • What should I do during a power outage?
  • How do I check my battery or cylinder supply?
  • Who should I contact about equipment problems?
  • How do I reorder supplies?
  • What travel or storage instructions apply to my equipment?

The answers will be specific to your prescription and equipment. Write them down and keep them somewhere easy to find. If someone helps with your care, make sure that person knows where the instructions are kept.

Planning a trip? Going on Vacation With a CPAP or Oxygen Concentrator? explains what to confirm before traveling with oxygen equipment.


Can You Switch Between an Oxygen Tank and a Concentrator?

Don’t switch oxygen equipment or change your settings on your own. Different systems may deliver oxygen differently, so the same numbered setting may not provide the same oxygen output across devices.

If your equipment no longer works well with your routine or you think your oxygen needs have changed, talk with your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your symptoms, oxygen needs, and prescription.

For questions about how your prescribed equipment works, contact your Rotech team. We can help you understand your setup, care for your equipment, troubleshoot problems, and determine whether an equipment concern needs additional follow-up.


How Rotech Supports Home Oxygen Therapy

Starting home oxygen therapy can bring up plenty of practical questions. You may wonder where your concentrator should sit, which equipment to use when you leave home, how to check your portable supply, or what to do if an alarm sounds.

When your equipment arrives, our Patient Service Technicians explain how to operate and care for it, review important safety information, and answer questions about your setup. And our support doesn’t end there. You can contact your local Rotech team whenever you need help with equipment operation, alarms, batteries, cylinders, supplies, maintenance, or troubleshooting.

We can help with your equipment, while your healthcare provider manages your prescription and medical care.

Who Should You Call?

  • Contact your healthcare provider if your breathing or symptoms change, you have questions about your prescription, or you think your oxygen needs may have changed.
  • Contact Rotech if you have questions about your equipment, supplies, maintenance, alarms, service, or troubleshooting.
  • Call 911 for severe or quickly worsening breathing trouble or another medical emergency.

You can also explore our respiratory and home medical products and services or review our patient resources for additional equipment information and educational materials.


Frequently Asked Questions About Oxygen Concentrators and Tanks

Is an oxygen concentrator the same as an oxygen tank?

No. An oxygen concentrator produces concentrated oxygen from room air, while an oxygen tank holds a limited supply of stored oxygen.


Is an oxygen concentrator better than an oxygen tank?

No single system is better for everyone. In the oxygen concentrator vs. oxygen tank comparison, the right equipment depends on your prescription, delivery needs, routine, power access, coverage, and local availability.


What’s the difference between a portable oxygen concentrator and an oxygen tank?

A portable oxygen concentrator produces concentrated oxygen from surrounding air while powered. An oxygen tank carries a stored supply and usually doesn’t require electricity to release the oxygen.


Does an oxygen concentrator need electricity?

Yes. Home concentrators usually plug into a wall outlet. Portable oxygen concentrators may use rechargeable batteries, household power, or another approved power source, depending on the model.


Does an oxygen tank need electricity?

An oxygen tank usually doesn’t need electricity to release its stored oxygen. Some attached equipment may use batteries, so follow the instructions for your system.


How long does an oxygen tank last?

There’s no universal answer. Tank duration depends on the cylinder size, prescribed setting, delivery device, and how the oxygen is used. Ask your equipment team about your specific setup.


Can I travel with an oxygen concentrator or tank?

Travel may be possible, but requirements depend on your equipment and type of transportation. Confirm your prescription, equipment needs, battery plan, and carrier requirements before traveling.


Why was I prescribed more than one type of oxygen equipment?

One system may support routine home use, while another supports mobility, travel, backup planning, or another prescribed need. Your healthcare provider can explain how each system fits your care plan.


Can I switch oxygen systems on my own?

No. Talk with your healthcare provider and oxygen equipment team before switching equipment because delivery methods and prescribed settings may differ.


Can I change my oxygen setting if I feel short of breath?

No, not unless your healthcare provider directs you to. Contact your provider if your breathing worsens or you believe your oxygen needs have changed.


Who should I call if my oxygen equipment isn’t working properly?

Contact your oxygen equipment supplier for equipment help. Rotech Healthcare patients can contact their local Rotech location. Contact your healthcare provider about symptoms or treatment concerns, and call 911 for an emergency.


Understand How Your Oxygen Equipment Fits Your Care Plan

The main difference in the oxygen concentrator vs. oxygen tank comparison is that a concentrator produces concentrated oxygen from room air, while a tank stores a limited supply.

Each system fits into a care plan differently, and some people are prescribed both. Understanding what each system does, when to use it, and where to direct questions can help you follow your prescribed home oxygen therapy with more confidence.

Need help with your equipment, supplies, or local service options?