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 Yearning to see firsthand the majesty of the Grand Canyon? Dreaming of exploring San Francisco's breathtaking sights? Longing to take in the awesome beauty of fall on the East Coast? You can, even if you have health considerations.
Apria Great Escapes is the ticket. With our program, you'll discover that traveling with oxygen, medical equipment and/or infusion therapy can be comfortable and convenient. By planning and following a few important guidelines, you can travel almost anywhere, on short car trips or on longer journeys around the United States.* Call your local Apria Healthcare branch and request a program kit, email us, or download the Great Escapes Brochure yourself.
Through our extensive network of 475 branches nationwide, we can determine the best type of oxygen for your trip and plan how much you'll need and when. We can even meet you at the airport with oxygen. If your needs call for home infusion therapies, we can help you travel between our nearly 30 regional infusion pharmacies. We can arrange for prescription medications and equipment to be delivered to you or for you to pick them up at Apria branches along your route. (There may be a nominal charge in certain areas.) And we'll bill your insurance company or Medicare directly, which will reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Now, let's talk details.
Traveling Is as Easy as 1-2-3-4-5
Step 1: See your doctor. As soon as you decide to travel, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will need to know where you are going, how long you will be gone, and what form of transportation you will take. Knowing these specifics will enable your doctor to make any necessary changes in your prescription during your trip. For example, if you are visiting an area with a different altitude or climate, your prescription may need to be adjusted.
A current prescription and Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) are required for Apria to supply oxygen and prescription drugs. Your doctor will give you a copy of your prescription so you can obtain oxygen refills on your trip. Important: Keep a copy of your prescription with you, everywhere you go.
Step 2: Call Apria. Once you have seen your doctor and everything checks out, call your Apria branch four to six weeks before you plan on leaving. The time is needed to allow us to make arrangements, including ensuring that Apria branches are prepared to meet your specific needs.
Step 3: Make your travel arrangements. Apria's weekend hours vary by location. The easiest way to ensure a smooth trip is to schedule your arrival and departure Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Step 4: Complete your travel itinerary, which you'll find in the Great Escapes program kit. Give your itinerary to your Apria representative. He or she will use the information to coordinate your oxygen or other medical needs during your trip. A safety factor will be built in to allow for unexpected delays during travel. If you need refills, your representative will make advance arrangements with the Apria branches at your destination(s).
Step 5: Have fun!
Ask About Restrictions
Ask your Apria representative about restrictions that might apply in your destination state. If there isn't an Apria branch in your specific destination area, your Apria representative may help you locate an outside provider. *
Equipment and Supply Pick-Up
Most home medical equipment rentals, small respiratory therapy equipment rentals and oxygen supplies will need to be picked up at your destination Apria branch. A security deposit will be required for the loan of home medical equipment and small respiratory therapy equipment. An additional transportation fee so that you may have oxygen services delivered to you at an airport gate, or train or bus station during a layover or upon arrival, may apply. Other nominal travel coordination fees may apply if you are not a current patient of Apria Healthcare.**
* For international travel arrangements, call Mallinckrodt (Nellcor Puritan Bennett) at (314) 654-3454.
** Apria Healthcare is not required to service non-Apria patients and may decline services to non-Apria patients at the local branch's discretion. | 
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