I purchased a used Sequal POC 4 years ago for air travel & high altitudes. It cost about 2K. (I think some prices have come down since then). I just had it fully reconditioned for another 2K . If I had purchased new it would cost me the same amount that I have in it for 4 years. It is like new again & I keep it in my car to avoid trouble when I am alone.

Medicare pays my O2 supplier 514.00 a month for concentrator RENTAL for sleep & exercise. I am amazed at the cost of things !

I should say my O2 supplier CHARGES Medicare $514.00.

I also think my Sequal unit gives me a higher % of O2 because I feel better at lower settings.

I have an AC, DC, + 2 batteries for 4 hours each with my Sequal. The batteries are $125.00 each.

I bought my reconditioned O2 concentrator from a local repair and supply shop for $300. My copay on the one provided by Preferred Homecare was $174 per month, so it just made sense to take them out of the loop.

My co-pay is 23.00 a monthwhich includes supplies. I use the rental equipment & save the hours on my owned unit.

I pay $37 a month for all my supplies also that includes 8 portable tanks. They replace my concentrator every January. Owning my own would be way higher in price.

I guess what matters is who your supplier is and what your insurance will pay.

i like renting just for the fact that they have to replace anything that breaks.
i do like the company i am with now; unlike the one i had when i took care of mom.
in my dinky little town we have 3 O2 companies, so it must be big business; have you thought of just changing companies?
in our little town our Medical Supply Store handles O2, Our local hospital has an O2 company & there is the private owned "Lincare" so you might want to check what your other options are if you aren't satisfied.
note on the little machines you purchase; i looked into those also, and they still interest me for traveling, but the small ones that you can carry only have the "pulse" mode of O2 and i need continuous flow at night. Also a freind of mine had to give hers up after she needed over 6L of O2---as that is as high as they go.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I have thought of changing companies. My insurance from work pays this company $720 per month and my co-pay is $36. This includes 2 back up tanks and supplies.....seems really expensive.....at the same time, I see the pros of renting. I could look into buying my own in case I needed back up too.....I'm a much happier camper than I was at 5 a.m. this morning:)

I have a Invacare Plattinum XL that I bought for $300 used about 4 years ago and it's been running 24/7 ever since except for turning it off when I leave the house. I have the homefill syatem that sit's on top and fills small sized O2 bottles.

Internal filters can be bought on the web for $20 or so and they are fairly easy to change. I changed them about 3 years ago. I spose it's time again.

tom