The FDA categorizes air purifiers as Class II medical devices. Whereas Class III medical devices require FDA premarket approval, Class II medical devices only require clearance. Here's the difference between those two classifications: FDA clearance requires medical electrical safety testing and performance testing.
Eligible expenses include products and home improvements to treat severe allergies. Examples include: Electro-static air purifier. HEPA furnace filters and HEPA vacuum cleaner filters (only the difference in cost of the HEPA product minus the standard product can be reimbursed.)
Various types of air purifiers, such as HEPA, ionic, carbon, UV, and ozone, adsorbent purifiers offer distinct technologies and benefits. Philips air purifiers, for example, are well known for their advanced HEPA filtration and ability to remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles.
Getting an Air Purifier Paid for with Your Health Insurance
Health insurance typically does not provide coverage for air purifiers. The flexible spending account, or FSA, is an alternative.
Truemed makes the process easy by generating a letter of medical necessity for you. Basically, this letter explains why/how a Sans Air Purifier will help to address your symptoms or prevent your condition from getting worse. This is a formal document that must be issued and signed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Air purifiers can be reimbursed from your FSA or HSA account when accompanied by a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. In general, an FSA approved air purifier will be one that your doctor agrees will help with a medical condition made worse by bad air quality or improved by good air quality.
Medical grade HEPA filters are thick, pleated mechanical air filters that capture 99.97% of unwanted particulate matter in the air. The pleats create a barrier of fibers that are randomly arranged and used to trap pollutants like dust and debris.
Headaches, sore throat, coughing, Asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing are a few of the symptoms that can be brought on by some air purifiers.
Based on this testing, filters are classified according to their efficiency at PM10, PM2. 5 and PM1 - that is, particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 µm, 2.5 µm and 1 µm respectively. And these particle sizes are the basis for the four ISO 16890 groups: ePM1, ePM2. 5, ePM10 and Coarse.
Thanks to the Australian Government's temporary full expensing measure, eligible businesses can claim 100% of the cost of their commercial air purification systems as a tax deduction.
Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness. They don't include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.
Medical professionals suggest prioritizing maintaining a clean home and frequently sanitizing frequently used surfaces. Air purifiers should just be an accessory to your cleaning routine, not a priority.
What are medical devices? Brief definition: An article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose.
Understanding Air Filters
Common types of air filters used in medical devices include: HEPA Filters: Capable of trapping 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns, these filters are standard in environments requiring high levels of cleanliness.
However, when medically necessary, Medicare covers oxygen humidifiers used with certain covered durable medical equipment (DME), like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, respiratory assist devices, or oxygen equipment.
By eliminating factors that commonly disrupt sleep, such as allergens, odors, and respiratory irritants, air purifiers can help you have blissful, uninterrupted sleep. Consistent exposure to clean air can regulate the sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to maintain regular bedtimes and wake times.
Keep Your Air Purifier Away from Heat
Air purifiers work hard and can get hot after a period of use. To prevent overheating and potentially damaging your device, keep it away from vents or radiators. Avoid running your unit for sustained periods while it is in direct sunlight.
Many people think that switching it off during the night or when they're not present is a logical energy-saving measure, but it is recommended to keep it running constantly. Once you turn off your air purifier, the air quickly becomes contaminated again with mold, dust, dander, and other pollutants present in the air.
The Defender air purifier is recognized by the FDA as a Class II Medical device. To meet this requirement a company must put in months of research and interaction with the FDA. The Defender air purifier has FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II Medical Device and has had this classification for over 20 years.
If you decide to purchase a portable air cleaner, filtering air cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are recommended because these do not emit ozone but do remove particulate matter from the air.
H13-H14 Medical-Grade HEPA Filters
While true HEPA filters effectively target particles down to 0.3 microns, H13 filters are rated to capture particles as small as 0.1 microns. This makes them highly effective in environments with vulnerable populations, where the risk of airborne contamination must be minimized.
Instead of opening windows and letting the pollution enter your home, it is better to install trickle vents to purify and recycle the indoor air. Exhaust fans are a great alternative that help push pollutants outside.
People who buy ozone generators may not be aware that ozone can harm the cells in the lungs and respiratory airways. Exposure to ozone irritates and inflames the lining of the respiratory system. This causes symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and impaired breathing.