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Portable Oxygen Concentrator Statistics

An overview of portable oxygen concentrators, who uses them, and why demand is growing worldwide.

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Dave Focareta
Retirement Living Contributor

Dave is an accomplished writer and editor with years of experience writing about personal finance, e-commerce, and health and wellness. He has a background in policy research and has authored public policy briefs on local, state, and federal economic regulations. Dave is a veteran of the nonprofit sector, where he used his writing skills to raise funds and report on the accomplishments of charitable organizations.
Kelly Uhler
Edited By:
Kelly Uhler

Kelly Uhler
Editor

Kelly Uhler is a diligent researcher, writer, and fact-checker with a background in elder care. She has experience working with senior care organizations, including A Place For Mom, NCOA, and Homecare.com, where she worked closely with families to provide reliable information, helping them make informed decisions about their loved ones’ health, safety, and quality of life. As a health enthusiast interested in the ever-evolving world of medicine and wellness, she has collaborated with renowned medical experts, including Dr. Amy Myers and Dr. Izabella Wentz. She leverages her expertise to educate readers and support them in navigating their health challenges.

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At a glance:

  • Portable oxygen concentrators provide supplemental oxygen for people with conditions like COPD or other lung diseases that reduce blood oxygen levels.
  • Patients typically qualify for oxygen therapy when oxygen saturation falls below 89% or arterial oxygen pressure drops below 60 mmHg, based on medical testing.
  • Use of portable oxygen concentrators is growing globally due to aging populations and rising chronic respiratory disease rates, with most users being older adults diagnosed with COPD.

A portable oxygen concentrator (POC) is a medical device that delivers supplemental oxygen to a patient. Individuals might require supplemental oxygen if they have lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other conditions that make breathing difficult. Using a POC makes it possible to get supplemental oxygen on the go, outside the home or in a clinical setting.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator Statistics

Knowing whether an individual could benefit from supplemental oxygen requires testing of the blood oxygen level. The two most common ways to measure blood oxygen levels are an oximeter and a blood draw. A normal oximeter reading shows oxygen saturation anywhere from 95% to 100%, while normal arterial oxygen pressure is between 80 and 100 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). A patient could benefit from supplemental oxygen if their results show oxygen saturation below 89% or arterial oxygen pressure below 60 mmHg.

Portable oxygen concentrators are accessible primarily by individuals with a prescription from a physician. However, some devices marketed as POCs are also available over-the-counter. A recent study from UCLA Medical Center and the COPD Foundation found that only one-third of these over-the-counter devices would meet the oxygenation needs of patients. 

How Many Americans Use Supplemental Oxygen?

According to the American Thoracic Society, more than 1.5 million adults in the U.S. use supplementary oxygen. Supplementary oxygen can be a useful therapy for anyone suffering from hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the body). It can be a temporary solution for individuals suffering from a (potentially) short-term condition like COVID-19 or pulmonary hypertension. Supplemental oxygen can also be a long-term treatment for individuals with chronic conditions like COPD or interstitial lung disease.

Who Is Using Portable Oxygen Concentrators?

A study funded by Inogen, a manufacturer of portable oxygen concentrators, sheds some light on the demographics of individuals who use these devices. The vast majority were diagnosed with COPD, and more than two-thirds of patients were 65 years of age or older.

Although this study included a higher number of male patients, the proportion of female recipients of long-term oxygen therapy (and, therefore, users of portable oxygen concentrators) is projected to grow, due in part to the relative increase in smoking frequency among women.

Types of Concentrators

Outside of clinical settings, there are two primary types of oxygen concentrators: stationary and portable. Stationary oxygen concentrators are larger devices capable of higher oxygen output and are generally intended for in-home use. As the name suggests, portable concentrators are smaller and can be used away from a wall socket.

Market Size Projections

The global oxygen concentrator market (including both stationary and portable oxygen concentrators) reached an estimated $3.5 billion in 2023. In the U.S., POCs make up a growing share of the overall market, going from 8% in 2015 to 22% in 2021. Industry forecasters expect the oxygen concentrator market to see a further 5.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030. The POC market is expected to grow even faster, with a projected CAGR of 7.2%.

The projected growth is expected to be driven by several factors. Foremost is the growing population of aging adults — those more likely to require supplemental oxygen. According to the United Nations, the global population of adults over the age of 65 is projected to more than double between 2020 and 2050 (from 727 million to 1.5 billion).

The use of oxygen concentrators is also projected to be driven by the increasing incidence of chronic respiratory diseases. Globally, the prevalence of chronic respiratory disease increased by 39.8% between 1990 and 2017.

FAQs

Do you need a prescription for a portable oxygen concentrator?

Yes. Getting an FDA-approved portable oxygen concentrator requires a prescription. Over-the-counter versions are available, but reputable organizations like the American Lung Association caution against using them.

Does Medicare cover the costs of a portable oxygen concentrator?

Medicare does cover oxygen equipment and accessories. If a doctor prescribes an oxygen concentrator for home use, Medicare will cover rental costs of oxygen equipment or supply costs if you own oxygen equipment.

How long does a portable oxygen concentrator last? 

Most portable oxygen concentrators run on rechargeable batteries. Battery life can last anywhere between three and 16 hours, depending on the flow rate of oxygen.

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