My mom lives in Kansas she just recently got diagnosed with COPD (continues oxygen) and cpap at night she has insurance through her job but the job may let her go now that she is on continuous oxygen so she may loose her insurance and job with that she won’t be able to afford her oxygen/medication so any info would help I was told hardship helps but I have no info on how to go about this.....HELP
You should be able to get emergency oxygen, as it is a life saving treatment (like insulin).
There are oxygen concentrators that take the oxygen out of the air and concentrate it through this machine. To buy it is a bit expensive ($500.) but you would never need to rent oxygen tanks from a company again.
Have you considered seeing an elder law attorney or one who handles disability issues? I would think that unless using oxygen interferes with her job responsibilities and/or activities, that firing someone b/c of oxygen use would fall under the ADA and could be considered discrimination. She may have a cast against this company, unless oxygen use interferes with performance of her job.
She could also ask her pulmonologist how to get help with oxygen supplies and equipment.
Also, does her job expose her to conditions that could cause or contribute to her COPD? Does she work in an area with a lot of dust? Is she exposed to asbestos or other respiratory toxins?
I don't understand continuous oxygen and CPAP at night though. If she needs CPAP at night, that's not continuous. And if she needs oxygen during the day, does she need a different level at night, which would justify the CPAP?
Pam is a respiratory therapist; perhaps she'll stop by and offer some insight into this.
If she gets let go, she will receive the Cobra paperwork in the mail. It’s the law.