A1AA Logo
“Our mission is to improve the health and well being of those affected by Alpha-1 through support to patients,
educating healthcare professionals and advancing public policy for the Alpha-1 Community.”

Won’t you sign up for membership? Simply click HERE

Be the First to know
sign up for our
TWITTER

Home
A1AA Donation Shoppe
Mission Statement
What is Alpha-1
Need Help Now !
Informational Resources
  • Support
  • Medicine Support
  • Personal Advocacy
  • Education
  • Public Policy
  • Alpha-1 Vets
    Health Tips
    FAQs
    Lending Library
    Caregivers
    Membership
    Management Team
    A1AA Published Archive
  • The Register - newsltr
  • Press Room
    Our Partners and Links
    Alpha-1 Advocacy Summary

    Our Partner's
    in the Alpha
    Community



    Testing for AAT Deficiency
    Simply click HERE
    Alpha One International Registry
    provides AAT Deficiency Testing. This AAT Deficiency Testing is a
    COMPLETE CONFIDENCIAL TESTING SERVICE
    and WITHOUT COST TO YOU.
    Please read the detail at: AAT Deficiency Detection Center
    What is a POC? and
    Air Travel Usage...

    This is the highlights of a Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance's weekly Conference Call. This conference discussion was presented by Skip Scribner, Advanced Aeromedical, VA BEACH, VA 23471 USA. Topic is Personal Oxygen Concentrator and their usage in traveling.

    Please join Skip:

    Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your group on the conference call this evening about POC's and airline usage.

    Here is an overview of our discussion topic this evening:

    Q.
    What is a POC?
    A. POC stands for Personal Oxygen Concentrator. To my knowledge, this is an acronym that was created by the FAA.

    Q. What units are currently approved by the FAA as a POC?
    A. As of this moment, the InogenOne (http://inogen.net) and the Airsep Lifestyle (http://www.airsep.com/medical/lifestyle.html) are the only products that the FAA approves for use.

    Q. Where can I find the actual document from the US government about the ruling on using these products on airlines?
    A. Here is a link to the Federal Registry of July 12, 2005
    http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13664.pdf
    This is the official document from the government!

    Q. Review of the different units:
    A. Airsep Lifestyle http://www.airsep.com/medical/portableoxygen.html Airsep also manufacturers the “Freestyle” portable concentrator. At this time the Freestyle is not approved by the FAA. More info on this unit can be found at http://www.airsep.com/medical/freestyle.html.
    InogenOne http://www.inogen.net Because of the superior battery life, I recommend this product first for approved airline travel. Also, This unit is “quiet, quiet, quiet…” as compared to any other POC.

    Q. What airlines currently allow the POC's?
    A. Below is a listing, but check with each airline as some will not allow them on their Commuter divisions…
    Various International carriers: We have had clients use the Inogen1 unit on Lufthansa and carriers in India. I have not been able to find information on the Lufthansa site in regards to using the POC's. More airlines continue to come on board approving the use. I suggest you always contact the carrier direct.

    Q. Does Medicare pay for rentals on this type of equipment ?
    A. Medicare pays only one provider at a time to provide your medical oxygen needs at home. They do not pay any additional costs associated to traveling with medical oxygen. Meaning that when you travel if your homecare provider has provided service at your destination, and you have not had to pay for this “away from home” service directly out of your pocket, that your provider has actually covered this cost for YOU out of their pocket. I suggest that you pose this question directly to your own home care provider to get a clear understanding of their policy on traveling with oxygen.

    Q. How do I get to the departure gate and from the arrival gate at an airport when I will be receiving oxygen from the airline on the airplane?
    A. Under the “Americans with Disabilities Act”, you may request a gate pass from the airline at the check-in counter for a friend to accompany you to/from the arrival/departure gate to retrieve/deliver your portable oxygen.
    There are also service companies like ours that can assist you for a fee when necessary. We can be reached at 800-346-3556 for questions.

    Q. When I go to Europe, can I just take my concentrator from home to use?
    A. No, in the USA, we use 110Volts with 60Hz. In Europe, they have 220Volts with 50Hz. While it is fairly simple to concert the 220 to 110, the problem arises when you run the 60Hz unit on 50Hz. Basically the motor is spinning at a lower speed due to the frequency. The motor will overheat and may shut down. Also, the sieve beds (that's what actually traps the nitrogen and allows the nearly pure oxygen to you) do not like heat and again, running the machine on this voltage may cause it to shut down.

    Again, thank all of you for allowing me to speak with you and feel free to contact myself, or my staff at 800-346-3556 to discuss any travel related questions. We also rent and sell portable and stationary respiratory equipment.

    Sincerely,
    Skip

    Skip Scribner
    Advanced Aeromedical
    PO BOX 5726
    VA BEACH, VA 23471 USA
    Tel# 800-346-3556 –or- 757-481-1590
    Fax# 757-481-2874
    Email – skip@aeromedic.com


    A1AA neither receives funds nor endorses any of these companies. Use your best judgement when ordering or purchasing any product or service.

    Lking for More Information... Need Help Now! Click Here

    Return Home | Return to Personal Advocacy | Return to Informational Resources


    Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance, PO Box 202, 103 Rapidan Church Lane, Wolftown, VA 22748
    Telephone: 540-948-6777 or 1-866-FOR-A1AA   (1-866-367-2122) Fax # 540-948-6763

    Copyright © 2009 Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance, All Rights Reserved

    Home | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy