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.
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- Denied insurance claims due to outdated information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.