SOAR Act of 2025

This bill aims to make it easier for people on Medicare who need medical oxygen at home or in the community. It changes how Medicare pays for oxygen equipment and services, moving them out of the current bidding program and setting steady payments tied to inflation . It adds special support for liquid oxygen and for people who need high oxygen flow. It also covers care from respiratory therapists and adds extra payments for those services . Doctors will use a standard electronic form to show medical need, and reviews must use clinical judgment again. Patients gain clear rights, like choosing their supplier, getting easy-to-understand information, privacy, timely repairs, 24/7 help, and emergency plans .

Suppliers must meet new duties: evaluate patients; make sure people have portable oxygen for life outside the home; teach safety; deliver and set up equipment on time; check and maintain devices; provide backups; help with travel; and be on call 24/7 . Medicare must send clearer notices about costs, including an annual notice about the 36‑month rental limit and a monthly notice showing how many copay months are left. The government must set clear coverage rules for liquid oxygen by January 1, 2026, and review them every five years.

• Who is affected: People on Medicare who use oxygen, their caregivers, oxygen suppliers, and respiratory therapists .
• What changes:
  • Payment rules update and move out of the bidding program, with inflation adjustments starting in 2026 .
  • Liquid oxygen gets its own payment, temporary higher payments until new rates start, and extra help for high‑flow needs .
  • Respiratory therapist services are covered and get an added payment .
  • Standard electronic templates start to document medical need; audits must consider clinical judgment.
  • New patient rights and stronger supplier responsibilities, including travel support and 24/7 help .
• When:
  • Most payment and electronic‑form changes start January 1, 2026 .
  • Supplier duty rules take effect 1 year after enactment.
  • Temporary higher payments for liquid oxygen begin right after enactment and last until the new rates are in place; long‑term rules for liquid oxygen start by 2026 .