I've had Cluster Headaches for 15 years and have been using O2 with a non-breather mask and flow rate of 10 lpm. Problem is the lease on my "high capacity" concentrator is expiring, I am now on Medicare and they do not recognize using O2 as a valid treatment for Cluster Headaches, which means they will not pay for the lease on a new machine. I also have COPD, previous smoker like most Cluster sufferers, and based on various tests my Pulmonary doctor would prescribe a low lpm machine but cannot justify a "high capacity" one. I have gone around and around with him about getting the "high capacity" concentrator but he keeps telling me Medicare will NOT pay for it since my diagnosis only requires 1-2 lpm to treat the COPD, he cannot justify to Medicare a high capacity machine. To lease a new "high capacity" machine would cost $250 per month and being on Social Security I just cannot afford it.
QUESTION: Has anyone been able to get Medicare to pay for a "high capacity" 10 lpm Concentrator for Cluster Headaches? Or has anyone, with a conservative doctor like mine, figure out a way to flunk a test that could justify a higher lpm flow rate? I think you understand my problem, have a solution?