While Medicare covers medical supplies when considered necessary for your treatment, it doesn’t cover air purifiers. Experts consider air purifiers environmental control equipment, not durable medical equipment (DME).
Air purifiers are portable systems that filter the air within your home to remove airborne particles, gases, and chemicals.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certain home air filters can offer a few benefits if you have respiratory and cardiovascular health conditions.
Although Medicare doesn’t cover air purifiers, it does cover some other forms of DME that may help if you have a condition that affects your breathing.
Also, you can improve the air quality in your home without purchasing an air purifier.
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Air purifiers are portable appliances that you can use to help remove airborne irritants that may lead to or worsen your symptoms.
There are different types of air purifiers, including:
- filtered air purifiers
- electrostatic air purifiers
- UV light air purifiers
Although these devices may help if you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, Medicare doesn’t cover them.
Medicare places air purifiers in the same category as appliances such as dehumidifiers and heaters. It doesn’t consider them DME.
A device must meet certain criteria for you to receive coverage under Medicare Part B’s DME benefits. It needs to be:
- durable
- useful for a medical purpose
- only useful if you’re sick or injured
- useful at home
- likely to last for 3 or more years
If you use a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that offers flex card benefits, you can use your card to purchase an air purifier. However, plans differ in their rules, and your coverage may have limitations.
Although Medicare doesn’t cover air purifiers, it does cover many home-use devices that may offer relief if you have certain respiratory conditions. These devices include:
- continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices
- respiratory assist devices
- oxygen equipment and accessories
- nebulizers and associated medications
If a doctor prescribes DME, you may typically pay 20% of the equipment cost if you buy or rent it from a supplier that participates in Medicare.
If you wish to buy an air purifier, you may have some options for cost assistance.
Air purifiers may be eligible for purchase using a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). However, you may need a letter of medical necessity or prescription from a doctor before doing so.
In rare cases, state Medicaid programs may help with costs. You can check with local resources to learn more.
Some charitable organizations or disease-specific foundations may offer grants or discounts for products like air purifiers.
If an air purifier isn’t within your budget, or if you wish to try additional strategies for improving your home air quality, there are other options.
You may try:
- testing your air quality to learn what specific irritants may be present
- cutting down on pollutants such as secondhand smoke and chemicals, such as those from certain cleaning products
- controlling allergens by washing pets, vacuuming, or replacing old carpets
- improving ventilation
- dehumidifying damp spaces
Also, if you believe your home air quality may be affecting your health, consider speaking with a healthcare professional.
Medicare generally doesn’t cover air purifiers. But if you have a respiratory condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, you may be eligible for other types of covered DME.
If you wish to buy an air purifier, there are ways to get help with costs or find covered alternatives. Explore alternative payment options, check Medicare Advantage benefits, and consult a healthcare professional about managing respiratory conditions.