Should You Buy a New, Used, or Refurbished Portable Oxygen Concentrator?

If you’ve been prescribed supplemental oxygen, you’ve likely taken some time to research what options are available to you in the way of oxygen machines. On one hand, you could go with a standard oxygen tank which is heavy, bulky, and difficult to move around. Or on the other, you could go with a portable oxygen concentrator which is light and easy to maneuver.

 

Unfortunately, many people are quick to turn down portable oxygen machines because they believe they will be too expensive. This is understandable, as just a quick Google search will bring up a whole variety of options, many of which can be as much as $3,000 or more. However, this is oftentimes misleading as many oxygen retailers are required to advertise the MSRP of a device, rather than the price that they’re actually selling it for which could be much less.

 

Another thing these price listings don’t show you are the many different conditions you can buy a POC in, as well as the financing options that make it much easier to pay for. We wanted to take the time to clarify the difference between used, refurbished, and new oxygen concentrators as well as different payment options such as financing. Read on to learn more and be sure to contact our respiratory specialists at 1-888-416-3855 if you have any questions.

 

New Portable Oxygen Concentrators

When you purchase a new portable oxygen concentrator, you are purchasing a unit that has never been opened or used. While the manufacturer might test the device before it is packaged and sent out to retailers, once the seal is broken on the packaging, it’s no longer considered a “new” portable oxygen device.

 

 

One of the biggest benefits of buying a new portable oxygen concentrator is that all of the components will be in pristine condition and it will be protected under a “manufacturer’s warranty.” What this means is that if the device stops working for whatever reason during an allotted period of time, you’ll be able to send it in for free repairs or a full replacement.

 

Manufacturer’s warranties vary based on the company that made the oxygen machine and the specific unit you’re looking to buy. However, the standard warranty for POCs tends to be around 3 years. What’s more, these warranties can often be extended to 5-year or even lifetime warranties which protect the device forever as long as you’re the original owner.

 

Another benefit of purchasing a new portable oxygen concentrator is that all the accessories that come along with it will be new. This includes things like the carrying case, shoulder strap, batteries, oxygen tubing, filter, and charging cables.

 

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Used Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Just like it sounds, a used or pre-owned portable oxygen concentrator is one that has been previously owned by another oxygen patient. Contrary to popular belief, “used” is not synonymous with “untested.” Here at LPT Medical, we don’t accept any portable oxygen concentrator return and immediately ship it out to another buyer. Every returned POC we receive is sent through a rigorous testing procedure to make sure everything is in good working condition before being sent out to another buyer.

 

 

Of course, the benefit of buying a secondhand portable oxygen concentrator rather than a new one is that you will be able to get a better deal. Depending on the unit that you’re looking at, you might be able to find a used POC that’s marked down several hundred to a thousand dollars less than what it retailed at leaving you with some great savings.

 

Refurbished Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Many people are confused about how a refurbished portable oxygen concentrator differs from a new or used one. Just like a used POC, refurbished ones have been previously owned by another oxygen patient. However, whereas used machines may have had minor repairs and cleaning done to them, a refurbished one has had more major repairs done to it that could significantly improve its lifespan.

 

 

For example, one of the most important parts of a POC is the sieve beds. These are special filters that remove nitrogen, argon, and other impurities from the air that make it possible for you to receive medical-grade oxygen. If we receive a unit that has faulty or worn-out sieve beds, they will be replaced and the unit will be sold as “refurbished.” This same process will be done with any other component that is worn out or not working properly.

 

Usually, refurbished portable oxygen concentrators cost a bit more than used ones because they are either sent back to the manufacturer or to a verified service center where they can be looked at by an expert. But they also won’t run you as much as a new portable oxygen concentrator. 

 

Renting a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

Portable oxygen concentrator rental is a lesser-known option, but it’s still something to consider. Renting is usually best for people who typically use oxygen tanks or home oxygen concentrators but they’re planning a trip and want something more portable to take along. In this situation, renting would be a cost-effective option because you won’t have to pay for the whole unit.

 

Renting is usually not advised if you’re planning on using the portable oxygen concentrator for more than a couple of weeks. There are a lot of factors to consider before renting a portable oxygen concentrator, so be sure to consult with your respiratory specialist to help you work out the math and ensure that you’re saving as much money as possible.

 

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Financing

For some people, paying for a portable oxygen concentrator over several months or years is much more convenient or manageable than paying for it upfront. Just like a car, portable oxygen concentrators can be financed, allowing you to make low monthly payments assuming you qualify based on your credit history. But don’t fret if you don’t qualify, because you can have a friend or a family member qualify for you, then you can simply pay them back. Be sure to consult with your respiratory specialist if you have any questions about POC financing.

 

 

Trading in an Oxygen Device

Another way to save some money on a new portable oxygen machine is to trade in an old oxygen device that you no longer need. Many people don’t realize that this is an option, so they leave their outdated oxygen machine sitting around the house gathering dust. Trading it to an oxygen retailer not only means making a little money, but it’s nice to know that you could be helping another oxygen patient too.

 

 

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Sales

Last but certainly not least, you’ll have the option of buying a portable oxygen concentrator while it’s on sale. We’re always looking for new ways to offer our customers great deals and promotions on our most popular units. Currently, we are offering a free Thrive ePulmonary Advanced Workshop with the purchase of any new portable oxygen concentrator. This is a $497 value!

 

 

With this course, you’ll receive step-by-step disease management and breathing technique routines, access to private support, e-books, guides, and much more. While this isn’t designed to replace pulmonary rehab or any other treatment plan that your doctor created for you, it does make it easier to learn about your disease and how to better manage it.

 

Tips For Choosing a Portable Oxygen Concentrator

 

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, finding the right portable oxygen concentrator for the right price is not always easy. You’ve likely already done some research and discovered that there are many factors to take into consideration such as the specifications of the unit itself, the condition of the unit, and payment methods like financing.

 

If you’re overwhelmed with all of the options available to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our respiratory specialists here at LPT Medical. We’ll start by understanding your medical needs as an oxygen patient, then we’ll zero in on the concentrator that’s right for you based on your lifestyle, preferences, and budget.