Home oxygen
Under the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS), subsidies are available for eligible adults and children towards a range of home oxygen packages. Home oxygen may be prescribed for adults and children with:
- hypoxaemia
- life-threatening asthma or croup
- cardiac conditions
- neurological conditions
- other medical conditions.
Eligibility
To apply for assistance under MASS, you must:
- be a permanent resident of Queensland
- have a permanent/stable condition or disability
- hold a pensioner concession card, health care card or Queensland Government Seniors Card.
You need to be assessed by one of the following registered clinicians:
- thoracic physicians
- specialist general physicians
- oncologists
- palliative care physicians
- cardiologists
- neurologists
- general practitioners (rural and remote areas only).
Subsidy amounts and criteria
MASS will supply a subsidised home oxygen package. The subsidy varies according to the item needed.
These limits and the assessment criteria are listed in the Subsidy Levels section of the Home Oxygen Application Guidelines (PDF, 239 KB).
Exclusions
MASS does not subsidise oxygen when:
- oxygen is required solely for the purpose of nebulising
- portable oxygen is needed for adult community access
- oxygen is required for dyspnoea without hypoxaemia
- the person requiring oxygen is currently a smoker.
However, if you fit into one of these categories and would like to apply, contact MASS to discuss your options.
Terminally ill patients who need home oxygen should contact their local hospital or health service about available palliative care programs.
Adult applications
You will be assessed for the initial supply, again after 4 months, and then every 12 months.
You can either download and complete the application forms before your appointment, or wait until you see your clinician and ask them to help you complete the forms.
Initial application
You will need to complete:
- Part A of the MASS 45 Adult Oxygen Initial & 4 Month Application Form (PDF, 586 KB)
- MASS 84 Proxy Access to Centrelink Information Form (PDF, 586 KB) or include a photocopy of both sides of your concession card.
Your clinician will complete Part B, attach any supporting evidence and submit your completed application to MASS.
After 4 months
You will need to reapply. Complete Part A of the MASS 45 Adult Oxygen Initial & 4 Month Application Form (PDF, 586KB). Your clinician will complete Part B, attach any supporting evidence, and submit your completed application to MASS.
The completed form must be received by MASS 2 weeks before the finish date, or MASS will not continue your oxygen subsidy.
Every 12 months
Complete Part A of the MASS 46 Adult Annual Re-Application Form (PDF, 532 KB). Your clinician will complete Part B, attach any supporting evidence, and submit your completed application to MASS.
The completed form must be received by MASS 2 weeks before the finish date, or MASS will not continue your oxygen subsidy.
Child applications
You can either download and complete the application forms before your appointment, or wait until you see your clinician and ask them to help you complete the forms.
You will need to complete Part A of the MASS 47 Child & Paediatric Oxygen Application Form (PDF, 532KB). Your clinician will complete Part B, attach any supporting evidence, and submit your completed application to MASS.
Reassessments
Children under the age of 6 must be assessed every 6 months.
Children between 6 and 15 years are assessed again after the first 6 months, and then again every 12 months.
The completed form must be received by MASS 2 weeks before the finish date, or MASS will not continue your oxygen subsidy.
More information
Contact MASS if you have any questions about applying for home oxygen.
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