Airgas Receives Clarification for Home-Oxygen Deliveries
RADNOR, PA - December 2, 2009 - Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) today announced it has received clarification from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services that its long-standing delivery system for liquid oxygen and cylinders complies with the new Medicare Accreditation rules and the accreditation requirements of the new competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment (DME) providers. Airgas supplies medical oxygen, cylinders and related supplies to Medicare beneficiaries across the U.S. on behalf of Medicare-accredited home care companies.
"We're aware of confusion in the marketplace regarding Medicare Accreditation rules and home-oxygen delivery," said Kelly Justice, Airgas senior vice president - medical. "We have received confirmation from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services that Airgas home oxygen delivery systems and practices comply with the new accreditation rules under the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act, and we may continue making deliveries just as we have for more than 10 years now."
According to Justice, Airgas contracts with DME providers that are accredited under the Medicare standards. "In our partnership approach, our experience and skill in delivering oxygen and supplies combines with the care and expertise of the home care company staff to provide the best result for patients," Justice continued. "When surveyed, our home care customers agreed with our strategy, which helps ensure quality of care."
Robert Young, Airgas senior vice president and general counsel, added, "This clarification affirms that our program complies with the new accreditation regulations. It assures local home care and DME companies that they are complying with the law when using our long-standing program of home-delivery of oxygen to Medicare patients, whereby the local home care companies provide the patient education as to the safe use of the oxygen."
With more than 350 FDA-certified medical gas fill plants serving hospitals, medical institutions, home healthcare distributors, physicians' practices, and other medical businesses, Airgas provides a full range of medical gases, medical gas equipment, medical facility certification, home respiratory therapy equipment and related supplies.
About Airgas, Inc.
Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base.
For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.
Media Contact:
Jay Worley
(610) 902-6206
jay.worley@airgas.com
Investor Contact:
Barry Strzelec
(610) 902-6256
barry.strzelec@airgas.com
Airgas, Inc.
259 North Radnor-Chester Road Suite 100,
Radnor, PA 19087-5283
