Inogen

[Scooter]

Okay guys and gals. How did you get an Inogen? I have been trying for years to score one of those but keep running into the same problem. Called the company and they say you need a doctors script. Go to my family doctor and he says that I don’t have breathing issues so he won’t write a script. Called AOPA and they told me to get a bottle. Told them I didn’t want a bottle. So what’s the secret?

 

Thanks

Scooter

[toto]

Several people on MooneySpace have recommended Main Clinic Supply 

https://mainclinicsupply.com/

 

[Paul Thomas]

Tell the vendor you are a pilot and provide your credentials; there is an exemption based on what I've read. Some companies put an aviation friendly kit together and the cost seems to be in line with other vendors.

[MikeOH]

Honestly, if my doctor wouldn't cooperate on something like this, after I explained why pilots need it, I'd find a new doctor. I don't want that kind of arrogance from my healthcare providers.

[201er]

1 hour ago, Scooter said:

Okay guys and gals. How did you get an Inogen? I have been trying for years to score one of those but keep running into the same problem. Called the company and they say you need a doctors script. Go to my family doctor and he says that I don’t have breathing issues so he won’t write a script. Called AOPA and they told me to get a bottle. Told them I didn’t want a bottle. So what’s the secret?

 

Thanks

Scooter

How can someone even misuse it? Breathe too much?

[KLRDMD]

https://pure.puremedco.com/inogen-0

[Utah20Gflyer]

I bought mine off a local classified ad site called KSL.com.  Similar to craiglist.  I’d check whatever you have in your area and see if you can pick up a used one.  I paid 400 for a Inogen G3 and then spent another 100 replacing the cylinders in it a couple months later.    There are lots of people who want to sell them after their parent passes or they upgrade or get over something like Covid.   
 

Performance is very close to the G5 at a fraction of the cost.  

[dkkim73]

Huh. In my practice I don't usually prescribe oxygen, so maybe there's some twist. But it hardly seems unreasonable. If someone were going to high altitude on a trip and I were in a primary role (eg. when I was a flight doc) I would happily give them Diamox or Decadron if they didn't have a contraindication. Heck, I was trying to get the AF SOF guys to take diamox but they were all tough guys.  I don't think what I considered a painful headache is what they considered "pain"  

So, maybe it's a matter of explaining the context to your doc? 

 

[dkkim73]

I've got a built-in bottle and it lasts a long time with the Mountain High. But a concentrator is pretty elegant. Aithre has some systems, I think mostly for experimental but also certificated. Has anyone used those? A true hybrid system built-in would be the most elegant, I think. 

 

[Ragsf15e]

I had an inogen g5.  Got it through main clinic.  They asked for my pilots license.  No doctor required.  
It worked well up to about 12000’ for two people and 15000’ for one (based on keeping pulse ox in mid 90s).  It was expensive but id use it again in an NA airplane.  I like my built in system for the turbo.

[201Mooniac]

I got mine from:

Jon Abbotts | Pure Medical
www.puremedco.com
888.747.7590 Toll Free
828.544.1178 Direct
828.544.1173 Main
828.263.4945 Fax

Just needed to send a copy of my pilots license.

[Skates97]

15 hours ago, toto said:

Several people on MooneySpace have recommended Main Clinic Supply 

https://mainclinicsupply.com/

 

 

45 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

I had an inogen g5.  Got it through main clinic.  They asked for my pilots license.  No doctor required.  
It worked well up to about 12000’ for two people and 15000’ for one (based on keeping pulse ox in mid 90s).  It was expensive but id use it again in an NA airplane.  I like my built in system for the turbo.

I have the Inogen G5 and got it through Main Clinic like @Ragsf15e. All they required was a copy of my pilot's license. I've been at 13,000 with my wife and I both on it set at the max of 6 and we were both in the mid 90's. I have a 12v outlet in the baggage compartment we plug it into. I've been at 11,000' on it by myself and my sats stayed at 98-99. We use it anytime we're above about 8,000' (which is almost every flight out of SoCal) just because we both feel better after the flight and it doesn't cost us anything to use it.

[NickG]

I have an inogen G5 that I use anytime above 8k. I've been up to 18k with it and my sats are in the 90's. My Ovation doesn't have Factory 02. I have an Aerox bottle for passengers.

I love the Inogen - best solution out there. Refilling the Aerox bottle is a PIA and the prices are all over the map.

[00-Negative]

The easy button is to get a prescription for medical oxygen. Cash price for a full tank was $15 last year and exchanges are $15 as well. I don't worry about aging tanks. Your healthcare provider should be okay with prescribing because it is medically necessary when flying at altitude and I can't really foresee any downside or liability. Health insurance or HSA should not be used for this, just pay cash. My tank is equipped with a pulse regulator which works very well. I usually exchange 2 tanks when mine get down to about 1/3 for $30. If you can't get your healthcare provider to do this, reach out to me privately. I'm not sure about prescribing medical equipment across state lines, but if I can, I'll do it for free. 

-David

[Marc_B]

The medical issue is that the FDA treats oxygen as a drug and a prescription is needed to establish “medical necessity” and “dosage.”

Help out your PCP and just tell them you’re a pilot and would like a RX that has something like:

“RX: Inogen Rove 4 and cannulas, qty#1; indication: high altitude hypoxia; directions: use as directed when flying above 14,000 ft MSL to keep SPO2 > 90%.”

With a RX you can for sure use your HSA funds legitimately. But insurance may not pay for it as I’m not sure if “high altitude hypoxia” is a reimbursable diagnosis.  But no physician should have issues with writing a script like that. Medically it’s very reasonable. 

[N201MKTurbo]

If you need a prescription, ask your AME, they understand the situation. For what we pay them, it is the least they can do.

[1980Mooney]

On 6/11/2025 at 1:55 PM, NickG said:

Refilling the Aerox bottle is a PIA and the prices are all over the map.

Go to a dive shop. Easy and cheap. 

[jcolgan]

59 minutes ago, 1980Mooney said:

Go to a dive shop. Easy and cheap. 

Dive tanks are filled with compressed air, not pure oxygen. 

[varlajo]

10 minutes ago, jcolgan said:

Dive tanks are filled with compressed air, not pure oxygen. 

Deco tanks are 50/50 or pure oxygen. 100% is also used in diving rebreathers.

Edited June 13 by varlajo

[N201MKTurbo]

49 minutes ago, varlajo said:

Deco tanks are 50/50 or pure oxygen. 100% is also used in diving rebreathers.

Don’t forget NITROX.

[1980Mooney]

1 hour ago, jcolgan said:

Dive tanks are filled with compressed air, not pure oxygen. 

The dive shops I go to in the Houston area have pure oxygen. 

[varlajo]

5 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Don’t forget NITROX.

Very true. My point was that dive shops are accustomed to selling pure oxygen, not necessarily blended with air or air+helium. 

[Will.iam]

On 6/10/2025 at 8:23 PM, Scooter said:

Okay guys and gals. How did you get an Inogen? I have been trying for years to score one of those but keep running into the same problem. Called the company and they say you need a doctors script. Go to my family doctor and he says that I don’t have breathing issues so he won’t write a script. Called AOPA and they told me to get a bottle. Told them I didn’t want a bottle. So what’s the secret?

 

Thanks

Scooter

craig's list. Instant if you go pick it up and cheaper price too.  You can always send in the unit to aftermarket places to get it overhauled when the filter's wear out.

[Aaviationist]

All over Facebook and OfferUp are concentrators and compressors. Get a set of those and just fill your own bottle. 
 

Will be way cheaper and you can help your friends out that way. 

[NickG]

Majorcpap.com

 

Got a great deal on a remanufactured unit.