Air purifiers, as we’ve seen, are divisive in the medical and scientific professions. This explains why, unlike humidifiers and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, which are deemed “durable medical equipment” (DME) by the FDA, doctors rarely prescribe air purifiers.
The quick answer is that most health insurance policies do not cover air purifiers. However, there are a few reasons why your health insurance company might cover an air purifier.
Qualifying for Reimbursement with a LOMN
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are used by about 55 million Americans (HSAs.) Consumers with FSAs or HSAs who have a letter of medical necessity (LOMN) may be eligible for reimbursement for air purifiers, according to FSA Store. The air purifier must be exclusively intended to treat, diagnose, alleviate, or cure a medical condition or disease, according to the LOMN. Even with a LOMN, those with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited care flexible spending accounts (LCFSA) are ineligible for reimbursement.
Patients might ask their doctors for a LOMN. A genuine LOMN should be well-written and signed by a medical professional who knows the patient. Learn more about what a LOMN should contain by clicking here.
Are air purifiers a medical expense?
A letter of medical necessity would also apply to an air purifier or water filter that is required to address a specific medical condition.
Are air purifiers HSA eligible?
Air filter reimbursement is eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), a Health Savings Account (HSA), and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) (HRA). A limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account do not qualify for air filter reimbursement (DCFSA).
Air purifiers that aren’t bought to treat or relieve a medical condition and don’t come with a Letter of Medical Necessity aren’t eligible.
Air filters are used to prevent dust, debris, and other pollutants from infiltrating the inside of a mechanical device and affecting its efficient performance. They are found in anything from automobile engines to household air conditioning systems. These pieces are often made of fibrous materials that collect these particles as they enter the device, but they will need to be replaced over time to ensure the appliance’s continuous good operation (National Center for Biotechnology Information).
Furthermore, air filters may be classified as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA), which is a form of mechanical air filter that uses a fine mesh to improve indoor air quality. Mold, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander can cause problems for people with allergies or asthma all year, but HEPA filters can capture these particles and improve the overall air quality of the home (WebMD).
The primary goal of an air filter must be to treat or alleviate a medical condition in order for it to be reimbursed. A note from a medical practitioner (Letter of Medical Necessity) recommending the item to treat a specific medical condition is usually necessary to establish that the expense is largely for medical care. Only the amount spent that is greater than the value added to the property will qualify if it is attached to the residence (such as central air conditioning). This letter must explain how the air filter will be utilized to solve the problem and for how long the treatment will be effective.
Expenses relating to the repair, operation, or maintenance of the appliance it’s installed in may also qualify if mentioned in the original Letter of Medical Necessity that is submitted to a benefits administrator if air filters are required to continue the efficient operation of an existing air conditioner or other air quality device.
Is an air purifier a medical device?
The FDA, as the government organization in charge of regulating items for public safety, must assess a wide range of consumer goods before they are released. The FDA classifies the air purifiers it examines as medical equipment, which are classified into three categories:
- Bandages, face masks, and tongue depressors are examples of Class I medical devices, which offer minimal risk to the user. Most of these are exempt from the FDA’s premarket approval process.
- Medical equipment classified as Class II represent a moderate danger, and include everything from motorized wheelchairs to the Apple Watch Electrocardiogram (ECG) app.
- The patient is at the greatest danger when using Class III medical devices. Pacemakers, breast implants, and replacement heart valves are examples of implanted medical equipment.
Air purifiers are classified as Class II medical devices by the FDA. Class II medical devices merely require clearance from the FDA, whereas Class III medical devices require premarket approval. The following is the distinction between the two classifications:
- Medical electrical safety and performance tests are required by FDA authorization. Following that, a company must file a 510(k), also known as a premarket notification. This enables the FDA to assess whether the device is safe “A legally marketed predicate is “essentially identical.” A device can be advertised and sold in the United States once it has been cleared, however it cannot be marketed as a medical device “FDA-approved,” or “FDA-approved,” or “FDA-approved,” or “FDA-
- A manufacturer has produced credible scientific data proving that the device is safe and effective for its intended application when it receives FDA approval. Manufacturers must submit a premarket approval application (PMA) along with the findings of human clinical trials in order to be approved.
Do medical grade air purifiers work for Covid?
Air cleaners and HVAC filters, when used appropriately, can help minimize airborne pollutants such as viruses in a building or small space. COVID-19 cannot be protected from COVID-19 by air cleaning or filtration alone. Filtration can be part of a plan to limit the risk for COVID-19 airborne transmission indoors when used in conjunction with other best practices advised by the CDC and other public health authorities, such as social distance and mask wearing.
The purpose of air cleaners and HVAC filters is to filter pollutants or toxins from the air that travels through them. Air filtration and cleaning can help minimize airborne pollutants, such as virus-carrying particles. When further ventilation with external air is not possible without compromising indoor comfort (temperature or humidity), or when outdoor air pollution is considerable, portable air cleaners (also known as air purifiers) may be very useful.
To be efficient at removing viruses from the air, an air cleaner must be able to remove small airborne particles (in the size range of 0.1-1 um). This capacity is reported in a variety of ways by manufacturers. They may also specify particle removal effectiveness for certain particle sizes (for example, “removes 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 um”). To rate air cleaner performance, several manufacturers use the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating method. Others say they employ HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air). Choose an air cleaner that: 1) is the right size for the space you’ll be using it in (this is typically indicated by the manufacturer in square feet), 2) has a high CADR for smoke (vs. pollen or dust), is designated as a HEPA unit, or specifically indicates that it filters particles in the 0.1-1 um size range.
How do I get a letter of medical necessity for an air purifier?
Your doctor will issue you a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) to authorize the air purifier as an FSA-eligible expense once you’ve received approval from them. Your IQAir system may be covered as an FSA-eligible item if your doctor writes a prescription for it.
What is a medical grade air purifier?
Because of their higher particulate retention rate, medical grade HEPA filters are often utilized in pharmaceutical manufacturing and electronic control rooms. This means that HEPA filters designed for medical use are more effective in removing dangerous pollutants from the environment. These filters have a web of fibers that is even denser than True HEPA, trapping the smallest particles at a higher rate.
Is air purifier FSA eligible?
Air purifiers are generally not covered by insurance. Only if you are utilizing an air purifier to relieve or alleviate a specific medical condition and would not have acquired it otherwise may you be eligible for FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). It is not eligible for reimbursement if you are using an air purifier to clean the air as a means of preserving overall good health, or if you previously owned the air purifier before having a medical condition.
Are humidifier filters HSA eligible?
Humidifiers are eligible for reimbursement for flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) (HRA).
Can I use my FSA for an air purifier?
Your FSA funds can be used to cover the cost of an air purifier if you’re using it to treat a medical condition like asthma, allergies, or COPD. Your doctor, on the other hand, will need to certify that your air purifier is a’medical necessity,’ meaning that it is required to treat your disease.
What makes a HEPA filter medical-grade?
The filter paper is airtight glued inside a steel filter case. HEPA filters are delicate and cannot be vacuumed or cleaned, but because of the large surface area of the filter paper, they can endure for three years or longer when used with proper pre-filtration. To prevent air from bypassing around the filter, HEPA filters must have an airtight seal or gasket on the external face.
NB: In Australia, most household HEPA air purifiers do not meet medical-grade HEPA criteria. There is no regulating body that oversees manufacturers’ claims that HEPA filters supplied in vacuum cleaners or air purifiers are indeed 99.97% efficient.
Most people buy air purifiers to remove dust and allergens from the air, and they want the most efficient model possible.
Medical-grade HEPA filters have the maximum efficiency, capturing 99.99 percent of particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns or greater. Dust mites, mould spores, pet allergens, pollens, and ultra small particles are all removed from the air using HEPA filters, which measure barely 1/10,000 of a centimetre.
HEPA filters for medical usage are made of a very fine paper (not polypropylene or synthetic materials) that catches microscopic particles so fine that bacteria and viruses are removed. HEPA filters are utilized in hospitals and medical settings, particularly operating rooms, for this reason.