Air purifiers are a necessity for every household nowadays but their costs are high so one might think of getting insurance like me. A few years ago there wasn’t a thing like air purifier insurance but gradually officials begin to understand the importance of an air purifier and the wonders it can do. Air purifiers have remained controversial among medical professionals as some do not agree with their work so it is somewhat of a problem getting insurance.
Does health insurance cover air purifiers? The answer is both yes and no at the same time. In this article, I will discuss in detail the dos and don’ts of getting your air purifier approved by health insurance.
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Medical expert’s opinions about air purifiers
The air purifier has a controversial history with the medical department. Some experts claim that it is of utmost importance for better health while others deny the effectiveness of an air purifier. However, American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently issued a statement in favor of air purifiers. Similarly, American Lung Association has termed air purifiers as third-degree protection against the effects of air pollution.
Medical experts deny all claims by air purifier manufacturers based on the fact that some patients reported that the air purifier didn’t help with their allergies and asthma. In any case, every medical association accepts the effectiveness of a HEPA filter in that it removes 0.03-micron particles from the air, including dust, dust mites, mycotoxins, molds, asbestos, pet hair, and other harmful pollutants.
Which air purifier claims qualify for insurance reimbursement?
When you claim your health insurance for purchasing an air purifier, chances are your request will get disapproved. It is because most air purifiers are not accepted as durable medical equipment or DME. However, the same device can be covered by your health insurance if a professional doctor prescribes it. Unfortunately, doctors rarely prescribe air purifiers unless they are of dire necessity.
All health insurance companies accept air purifiers from IQAir and Austin as medicated devices. It is because the FDA accepts these brands as durable medical equipment or DME. Still, you need a letter of medical necessity (LOMN) by the doctor to claim the health insurance for the purchase. Moreover, it takes more than one attempt to get approval from any health insurance company.
Types of health insurance:
There are several types of insurance that you can get in America. In the case of health insurance, you can choose from three insurances from different companies. These companies have different terms and conditions for medical coverage. It would be best to read your contract and conditions in which the insurance is claimable from the insurance website.
FSA:
A flexible Spending Account or FSA is an employ-based savings account. You can ask your firm to set up an FSA account. This account takes some money from your monthly salary. The funds are there for spending on various health issues depending on the necessity. The benefit of an FSA account is that it is tax-free. However, there is a limit on how much you can add to your FSA account. So, an FSA account saves your money by cutting off taxes and is available in times of need.
HSA:
Health Savings Account or HSA is similar to FSA but comes with greater benefits. Moreover, you don’t need an employee’s approval to set up an HSA insurance account. However, you need to be part of any high-deductible health insurance plan (HDHP) to be eligible for an HSA account. HSA account is tax-free and saves your money from social security, income tax, and all other federal taxes. Moreover, the HSA account goes with you even if you switch job.
Private insurance:
The third type of insurance is offered by private firms. The amount and terms of insurance vary from company to company. However, all federal taxes apply to private health insurance.
How to get approval from health insurance for an air purifier?
Health insurance policies seldomly approve requests for air purifier claims. There are some tips that you can follow to increase your chances of approval. In any case, you have to pay for the air purifier out of your pocket at the time of purchase. The money is then returned if the insurance company approves your claim.
- Get a letter of medical necessity (LOMN) from your professional doctor. You need to be concerned with the doctor for at least one month before he can issue a LOMN.
- Purchase an air purifier from IQAir or Austin within 30 days of issuance of LOMN.
- Always purchase the air purifier through a debit or credit card and save the receipts for later. In case of an online purchase, save the hard copy that came with the device and print the online purchase receipt.
- Apply for a health insurance claim online and send the LOMN as well as all the receipts to the company.
- You can also visit the company office and submit your documents in hard form.
- However, the claim is only valid if it is made within 45 days of the date of issue of the LOMN.
- If the claim was disapproved the first time, always try for a second time before giving up.
Can I buy an air purifier with my HSA account?
No, it is not possible to purchase an air purifier using your HSA credit card. You have to purchase the device from your personal account the first time. The same is the case with FSA insurance. It is because no store accepts FSA or HSA cards for purchasing goods. You can then claim a refund by reimbursing your health insurance. You will still need a letter of medical necessity or LOMN from a professional health expert, the purchase receipts with dates, and clean credit background.
IQAir VS. Austin:
When choosing an air purifier approved by health insurance companies, you only have two options. Both IQAir and Austin are approved by FDA as durable medical equipment or DME. The air purifiers from both brands have H12/13 HEPA filters with medical-grade performance. Moreover, you can choose from a variety of products that best serves your needs. Usually, Austin air purifiers are widely used in hospitals and other health institutions.
Choose an air purifier
Air purifiers have become extremely popular in recent years. However, with so many different variations on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right unit for your home. Click on this link and I’ll walk you through how to choose an air purifier. I’ll also look at some of the pros and cons of each type of air purifier. Click on the link to learn more!
Conclusion:
Air purifiers are gradually becoming a necessity for all households. However, the authorities remain confused about the impacts of air purifiers on human health. Still, you can get approval from your health insurance if you are lucky and lay a strong case. You can increase your chances by following the tips as discussed in this article.
FAQs
Does an air purifier save my family from allergies and flu?
Modern air purifiers use a series of effective filters to remove air pollutants from the house. Most of these pollutants are allergens and disease-causing microbes. The HEPA filter removes the solid pollutants from the air while the UV filter kills all bacteria and viruses. So, an air purifier can effectively prevent allergic reactions and viral diseases.
Can I get approval for an air purifier from my health insurance?
Yes, major health insurances, including HSA and FSA, accept claims for DME air purifiers like IQAir and Austin if you have a letter of medical necessity from your doctor. However, the approval depends on your case, and the company isn’t obliged to cover for an air purifier.
How to get Medicare approval for an air purifier?
Medicare provides reimbursement for DME air purifiers. To get Medicare approval, get a LOMN from your doctor, save the purchase receipts and send all documents along with the claim for a medicated air purifier.
