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 |  | With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copays, 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $100-$1,000+ Per Treatment |
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In hyperbaric oxygen therapy pure oxygen is breathed in a pressurized room, which enables the lungs to gather more oxygen and increases the level of oxygen that the blood can ferry to organs and tissues. It was initially used for decompression sickness, among other things, but according to medical researchers[1] hyperbaric oxygen therapy is now prescribed for an increasing list of conditions, though in some instances there may be a lack of scientific evidence to support it.
Typical costs: | - Whether hyperbaric oxygen is covered by health insurance typically depends on the particular condition a patient has, and whether the therapy is widely considered to be an experimental or established treatment for it. As the Mayo Clinic[2] notes, although hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an established treatment for conditions such as decompression sickness, serious infections and wounds that won't heal as a result of diabetes or radiation injury, there's insufficient scientific evidence to support claims for its use for other conditions including allergies, arthritis, autism, cancer or stroke.
- Aetna[3] , for example, considers the treatment medically necessary for some conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning and non-healing infected deep ulceration, but not for others like Crohn's disease or Bell's palsy. For patients with insurance coverage, there may be a copay of $10-$50 or coinsurance of about 10%-50%.
- The cost of hyperbaric oxygen therapy per individual treatment for patients without health insurance coverage can vary between more than $100 at a HBOT clinic, to more than a $1,000 for at a large medical hospital, according to the South Bay Hyperbaric Center[4] in Irvine, CA. For example, at the Hyperbaric Wellness Center[5] in Germantown, TN, treatment costs $125 per hour (treatments typically last about two hours).
- Depending on the condition, some patients may require dozens of treatments. For example, according to New York Presbyterian Hospital[6] , long-standing infections and other wounds may need 20 to 60 treatments over the course of several weeks.
Related articles: Chest X-Ray, Blood Tests
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What should be included: | - According to New York Presbyterian Hospital[7] , patients sit or recline inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber during the treatment, which is generally painless. They may experience, however, ear discomfort similar to flying in a plane or diving underwater.
- Some patients may briefly feel light-headed following the treatment, or develop temporary changes in eyesight.
Additional costs: | - Diagnostic tests, including blood tests ($8-$150) and a chest x-ray ($50-$1,000), among other exams, may be needed prior to therapy.
Discounts: | - Some providers offer discounts to veterans or for several treatments administered in a row, while others may offer a sliding scale for patients paying out of pocket.
Shopping for hyperbaric oxygen therapy: | - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy requires a prescription from a physician.
- The Nebraska Medical Center[8] offers several patient resources regarding hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including a patient guide, videos and photos.
- The Mayo Clinic details the risks[9] associated with the procedure.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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External Resources: | - qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/97/7/385.2.full
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/my00829
- www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/100_199/0172.html
- www.hyperbaricanswers.com/hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment-costs.cfm
- www.hyperbaricwellnesscenter.com/faq.htm#faq4
- nyp.org/hyperbaric.html
- nyp.org/hyperbaric.html
- www.nebraskamed.com/hyperbaric/patient-information
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/MY00829/DSECTION=risks
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