BALTIMORE--CMS will expand Medicare home oxygen coverage criteria for beneficiaries enrolled in a CMS-approved clinical trial.

Under a final national coverage determination released last week, home oxygen will be covered for beneficiaries with arterial oxygen partial pressure measurements from 56 to 65 mmHg or oxygen saturation at or above 89 percent. These beneficiaries must be participants in a clinical trial sponsored by the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute.

"This is an important opportunity to improve the care of our seniors, and to get better evidence on how doctors and patients can achieve the best outcomes for this serious and hard to treat condition," said CMS Administrator Mark McClellan.

Medicare currently provides coverage for home oxygen for beneficiaries with partial pressure measurements at or below 55 mmHg or oxygen saturation at or below 88 percent. If certain other diseases/conditions are present, coverage is provided for patients with an oxygen partial pressure of 56 to 60 mmHg or an oxygen saturation of 89 percent.

To view the decision memo, click here.

The list of covered clinical trials will be available at www.cms.hhs.gov/center/coverage.

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