Meds and Medical Devices
Traveling with portable oxygen
Think you can’t travel because of medical equipment? Do not let that be a restraint!
I have to travel with an oxygen concentrator, which requires a little planning and documentation ahead of time.
Delta Airlines has an easy online form you can fill out. Email completed forms, print out the confirmation, and keep it with your travel documents (i.e. The Book). You only have to update the forms once every twelve months.
American Airlines allows you to call ahead of time, and they will document it on your ticket.
Other Airlines and international carriers like British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa, generally require a few more pages of paperwork, so make sure to get the process started early.
Plan on arriving at the airport early to get all documents and approvals sorted. And don’t be surprised or flustered if an individual gate agent balks or seems unfamiliar with the procedure. Just keep repeating that you have pre-approval and show your paperwork.
You cannot check in early with oxygen, and you aren’t allowed to sit in an exit aisle (Boo!). But you can board flights early in most cases, and you’re allowed to bring one other passenger with you.
If you need wheelchair assistance, you can also request that ahead of time.
Let’s talk prescription medications. If you are going to be due a refill while you are out of the country, you can go through your insurance company to get special approval for an early refill. Honestly, recently I have just used the GoodRx app to refill. The process, in my opinion, is a lot smoother, and I have all my medications for the trip ahead of time.
In short, you can still travel the world if you have special medical requirements. You are not limited because of your oxygen concentrator or other personal medical equipment. Being away from your pharmacist shouldn’t worry you, either. Just plan ahead and…
Go!