Oxygen Concentrator on Rent in India: Monthly Cost, Deposit and What to Check Before Renting

Family members of patients who have difficulty breathing may feel distressed, especially during cylinder refills.

The simplicity of renting an oxygen concentrator comes with the complexity of monthly charges, security deposit, the support service, and the condition of the machine.

To make matters worse, most people only compare the monthly rent and end up with additional charges for the delivery of the machine, accompanying accessories, and the repair. Some also rent a machine without considering the power accumulation and backup needs. It's always good to make a checklist before renting. This checklist helps compare rental cost, security deposit, and service level agreements.

This article helps families who need to rent an oxygen concentrator answer the questions of cost, security deposit, and service agreement level in India.

What Is an Oxygen Concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator is a medical equipment that draws room air and separates the oxygen from other gases. The instrument then delivers oxygen to a patient via a cannula or mask. Concentrators do not store oxygen and require a constant power supply.

Oxygen is prescribed by a medical doctor based on the symptoms, the patient’s medical condition, saturation of oxygen in the blood, and the required flow rate. Concentrators are not prescribed for every patient in every clinical circumstance. Some patients require a cylinder, liquid oxygen, hospital care, or some other form of respiratory support.

5-litre models are usually adequate for lower specifications, while higher specifications require selected units with medical advice. Flow rate adjustments should not be done without medical supervision.

What Is the Cost of an Oxygen Concentrator Rental in India?

The cost of renting a concentrator varies for each city, the brand, the oxygen-flow capacity of the machine, duration of rental and the service provider. Oxygen concentrator rentals are higher if delivery is to be done over a large distance, with added costs for equipment rented on an emergency basis. Accessories rented along with the concentrator also impact the rental cost.

Concentrator rentals in India fall in the range of:

• 5-litre concentrator: ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 per month
• 10-litre concentrator: ₹5,000 to ₹12,000 per month
• Premium or imported models: ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 or more per month

These are estimated costs, and rental costs in large cities, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, etc. are often different from rental costs in small towns. For rentals of a few days, higher daily costs are charged. Some service providers offer lower rental costs for a three-month minimum rental period.

Ask for written costs showing the base rent, GST, delivery fee, pick-up fee, installation cost and accessory costs. Also ask if the service provider has an additional cost for emergency delivery.

How Much Security Deposit Is Required?

A refundable security deposit is usually required by rental providers. The deposit can range from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000. Some companies ask for a deposit closer to the cost of the machine, and especially for new or imported models.

The deposit amount is determined by:

• The model and capacity of the oxygen concentrator
• The machine’s age and its current operational status
• The length of time the machine is rented
• The customer’s location
• The transportation arrangements the provider makes for the return of the equipment

Please pay special attention to the refund terms. The contract should include information on the length of time the refund will take, the amount that will be withheld to cover damages, and the person that the provider expects to handle the transport to return the equipment. Ask for a deposit receipt. Do not pay a significant amount without receiving a signed rental agreement, an invoice or a rental support contact.

What Does the Rental Include?

The terms and conditions of a rental are mostly different. One provider may include all the basic accessories, while another may charge for each item individually.

Please confirm if the rental includes:

• Oxygen concentrator
• Nasal cannula
• Oxygen tubing
• Humidifier bottle
• Filters
• Power cord
• User manual
• Delivery and pickup
• Technical support
• Replacement accessories

Potential customers should confirm the rental includes all the above listed items directly from the seller/renter before making a purchase, even if a purchase includes all the items listed on the page. A retail product package does not represent a rental package.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting an Oxygen Concentrator

What Is the Prescribed Oxygen Flow?

In order to obtain the flow rate prescribed to you, you must ask your doctor for that information. It is important to verify the use of continuous flow versus pulse dose delivery. That is an important difference. A concentrator for one type may not be adequate for the other.

What Is the Range of Oxygen Purity the Concentrator Delivers and Has It Been Serviced Recently?

Request a demonstration prior to accepting delivery. Although a pulse oximeter is very handy and can report on ongoing readings, it must be used in the context of the patient's condition and other factors to give an actual interpretation of the readings.

You can also get an AGEasy Advanced Sensor Pulse Oximeter . A pulse oximeter can provide useful readings, but those readings should always be interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms and overall condition.

What Is the General Condition of the Machine?

Look for obvious damage to the case, wheels and the power cord. Cleaning will cause damage to switches, displays, and sensors. Servicing and testing must be recent. Note the time and date of delivery and take photos to substantiate damage or missing parts claims.

What Is the Noise Level?

Many concentrators produce noise at a level that is disruptive to sleep. Make sure the device is a safe distance away from the patient. Ask for a demonstration prior to signing the lease agreement.

Check Power Requirements

Oxygen concentrators require power to operate. Find out how much power they use and what voltage is required. Find out what plans are in place for outages. Depending on the situation, families may need to obtain an inverter, generator, or backup oxygen cylinder through a medical supply company.

Keep the concentrator at least 3 feet from any heat source including a stove, candle, smoking space, incense, etc. The air vents should be open. Do not use power strips unless the provider approves them.

Understand Maintenance Responsibility

Make sure liability for servicing, breakdowns, replacement of filters and accessories is covered in the rental contract. Find out what the provider does to get you a replacement device if the current one stops working.

A low rental rate has little value if technical support is unavailable during an urgent situation. Choose a vendor with a clear phone number, support line, and plan in place for when support needs to be escalated.

Check Delivery and Pickup Terms

Confirm the cost for delivery and pickup. Ask the vendor if they can deliver to your zip code/town. Families in rural towns should consider the total transport time to and from the vendor before making a rental request.

Confirm the terms of the rental agreement, including the notice period before returning the device and the renewal policy.

Renting Versus Buying an Oxygen Concentrator

Renting is better when it is a short-term need due to recovery from surgery or during short-term respiratory needs. For long term needs it may cost less to buy it.

For families needing extended use, buying may be more suited. Crunch the numbers on the total cost of renting over 6 or 12 months, and compare that to the price, financing, and warranty. Purchased items still require cleaning, proper storage, and care.

AGEasy also provides a 5-litre oxygen concentrator with a built-in nebulizer, a digital display, and energy efficient operation with a variety of accessories.

There are times medical help needs to be sought immediately. The following symptoms warrant urgent medical assistance: low oxygen readings, increasing breathlessness, bluish lips or fingernails, chest pain, confusion, severe drowsiness, worsening or new symptoms, and sudden emergencies. A rented machine should never be assumed as the only aid for an assumed medical emergency.

Remain compliant to the prescription of flow and duration of oxygen usage. If at any time the patient remains breathless or the oxygen levels are still low, call the prescribing doctor or the emergency services as per regional protocols.

Final Machine Checklist

Before you start using the machine, make sure the following are correct:

• The prescribed flow rate for the device
• The machine’s oxygen output has been tested
• Serial number recorded
• All accessories present
• Cost of rent, GST and miscellaneous charges noted
• Security deposit and refund policy is known
• Breakdown support is available
• Power backup is arranged
• T&Cs for machine delivery and pickup agreed
• The doctor has given permission for the use of home oxygen

An oxygen concentrator works best when the machine, medical plan and support service fit together. Examine the entire cost, check the device thoroughly and keep the rental agreement and service contact details handy for the duration of the rental agreement.

Medical Advice

Oxygen is to be used only on the advice of a healthcare professional. Do not change the flow rate or duration without medical advice. If breathlessness worsens, oxygen levels remain low despite following the prescription, or the patient develops chest pain, confusion, bluish lips or fingertips, or severe drowsiness, seek urgent medical assistance.