LTOT Study Finds Cost-Effective Reasons For Therapy

A
study published in the February 2009 issue of The American Journal of
Managed Care documents the cost-effectiveness of long-term
oxygen therapy. According to study author Yuji Ova, MD, Department
of Pulmonary and Environmental Medicine of the University of
Missouri, Columbia, “Continuous oxygen therapy for patients having
COPD with [severe resting hypoxia] is very cost-effective compared
with other technologies and surgical procedures used to extend life
or to improve the quality of life.”

In addition, she concludes, “The cost-effectiveness of LTOT can
be improved by prescribing LTOT to patients who will receive
substantial benefit, by improving patient adherence, by
re-evaluating the initial prescription in a timely fashion, and by
providing adequate support for services and maintenance. There is
substantial room for improvement in the current Medicare policies
regarding LTOT reimbursement.”

View a
PDF of the study.