Missouri Medicaid Requires Thermal Fuses

Missouri—In a major advancement in fire safety, Missouri became the first state to require that durable medical equipment companies (DMEs) supply Medicaid oxygen patients with thermal fuses such as the Firesafe cannula valve. The requirement was championed by the Springfield Fire Department and Battlefield Fire Protection District, in partnership with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Missouri House of Representatives.

The requirement went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. DMEs will be compensated by MO HealthNet as part of the oxygen supplies, maintenance and repair classification fee included in the reimbursement rate from the state.

Thermal fuses are installed as part of an oxygen patient’s tubing, allowing for normal flow. The fuses save lives by stopping oxygen flow if downstream tubing is ignited‚ an occurrence experienced by 1,000+ people annually. A report covering 2017–2021 showed 567 home oxygen-related fires in the United States, with 316 fatalities. Home oxygen users in the U.S. are 19 times more likely to die in a fire than those in England, where thermal fuses are mandatory. The U.S. Veterans Administration has required the use of thermal fuses for all patients on home oxygen therapy since 2018. Thermal fuses are an ISO 80601-2-69:2020 standard.

In 2022, Washington’s Spokane Valley Fire Department launched an initiative to send oxygen patients home with thermal fuses—greatly reducing area fires. The Wyoming State Fire Marshals Office followed suit, promoting the installation and use of firebreaks as part of its Community Risk Reduction campaign.

“Congratulations go to Missouri’s Springfield Fire Department and Battlefield Fire District,” said Sunset Healthcare Solutions VP of Business Development PJ Ruflin. “Their committed advocacy led to a big breakthrough last month, and they join a growing group of U.S. firefighters who are successfully shaping the future of fire safety in this country.”