Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
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Short answer
Covered: Part B
Yes, for certain conditions: Medicare Part B may cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy given in a chamber if you have one of the conditions Medicare lists, such as acute carbon monoxide intoxication, decompression illness or certain diabetic wounds of the lower extremities.
For Medicare Part B-covered hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, and the $283 Part B deductible in 2026 may apply.
Medicare doesn't pay for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for conditions outside its list, such as thermal skin burns, multiple sclerosis, arthritic diseases or Alzheimer's disease.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Part B, for listed conditions only | Medicare.gov; CMS |
| Where | In a chamber, including a one-person unit | Medicare.gov |
| Diabetic wounds | Lower extremity wounds due to diabetes, Wagner grade III or higher, after standard wound therapy fails | Medicare.gov |
| Wound care timing | Covered only after at least 30 days of standard wound therapy without measurable healing | CMS |
| What you pay | Usually 20% of the Medicare-approved amount; the $283 Part B deductible may apply | Medicare.gov |
| Other conditions | Not covered | CMS |
| Topical oxygen for wounds | Coverage decided by your regional Medicare contractor | CMS |
When does Medicare cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Medicare Part B may cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which exposes your entire body to oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure, if you get the therapy in a chamber (including a one-person unit) and you have one of these conditions:
- Acute carbon monoxide intoxication
- Decompression illness
- Gas embolism
- Gas gangrene
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Crush injuries and suturing of severed limbs
- Progressive necrotizing infections
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
- Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts
- Chronic refractory osteomyelitis that doesn't respond to conventional medical and surgical management
- Osteoradionecrosis or soft tissue radionecrosis, as an add-on to conventional treatment
- Cyanide poisoning
- Actinomycosis, only as an add-on to conventional therapy when the disease doesn't respond to antibiotics and surgical treatment
- Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities that meet Medicare's wound rules
What are Medicare's rules for diabetic wounds?
Medicare Part B may cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a diabetic wound of the lower extremities only if all of these apply:
- You have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and a lower extremity wound that's due to diabetes.
- The wound is classified as Wagner grade III or higher.
- You've failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy, meaning no measurable signs of healing for at least 30 days in a row.
- The therapy is used in addition to standard wound care, and the wound is evaluated at least every 30 days. CMS says continued treatment isn't covered if there are no measurable signs of healing within any 30-day period.
What do I pay for hyperbaric oxygen therapy with Medicare?
You usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) may apply. What you owe also depends on other insurance you have, how much your doctor charges, whether your doctor accepts assignment, the type of facility and where you get the therapy.
What conditions doesn't Medicare cover for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Medicare doesn't cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for any condition not on its covered list. CMS names these, among others, as not covered:
- Cutaneous, decubitus and stasis ulcers
- Chronic peripheral vascular insufficiency
- Thermal skin burns
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction) and cardiogenic shock
- Sickle cell anemia
- Smoke inhalation with pulmonary insufficiency
- Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease and Korsakoff's disease
- Multiple sclerosis, arthritic diseases and pulmonary emphysema
- Organ transplantation and organ storage
Does Medicare cover topical oxygen for wounds?
It depends on your region: since April 3, 2017, the Medicare Administrative Contractor for your region may decide whether to cover topical application of oxygen for chronic non-healing wounds. CMS removed topical oxygen from its national coverage rule for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Does Medicare Advantage change hyperbaric oxygen therapy coverage?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers, and some offer extra benefits; rules and costs vary by plan. A plan may require approval (prior authorization) before it covers certain services, so contact your plan before treatment. See What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?.
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Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- CMS: National coverage determination 20.29, hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Medicare.gov: Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.