Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Birmingham, AL
Find HBOT providers in Birmingham, AL. UAB Medicine leads Alabama's wound care market. Medicare and insurance coverage explained for Birmingham patients.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Birmingham, AL
Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city and its medical center of gravity. UAB Medicine, the clinical arm of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is one of the Southeast’s top academic medical centers. It handles complex wound care and specialty cases from across Alabama and from neighboring states. For patients who need HBOT in Alabama, Birmingham is usually the strongest option.
Finding HBOT Providers in Birmingham
Start with the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society accredits facilities that meet standards for physician oversight, equipment, and safety procedures. Accreditation is the fastest way to separate legitimate medical programs from wellness operations that use low-pressure chambers.
UAB Medicine is Birmingham’s dominant academic health system. Its wound care program handles diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injury cases, and other complex HBOT indications referred from across the state. Children’s of Alabama, located on the UAB campus, handles pediatric wound care cases that may require hyperbaric treatment.
Birmingham also has multiple community hospital systems. Ascension St. Vincent’s and other regional systems operate throughout Jefferson County and surrounding counties. Some of these have wound care programs with hyperbaric services. Use the UHMS directory to confirm accreditation before calling.
Standalone hyperbaric clinics exist in the Birmingham market. If you’re considering one, read our guide to choosing a clinic. Confirm the chamber pressure rating and the credentials of the supervising physician. If your condition is FDA-approved, a hospital-based or accredited program is the safer choice for both clinical reasons and insurance coverage.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Birmingham
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Covered conditions include diabetic lower extremity ulcers that haven’t healed with standard care, compromised grafts and flaps, radiation tissue damage, osteoradionecrosis, carbon monoxide poisoning, and several others. These rules come from CMS and apply identically in Birmingham and everywhere else in the country.
Reimbursement rates change annually. Never rely on figures you find online, including here. Get current numbers from your facility’s billing team.
Alabama Medicaid may cover HBOT for qualifying patients. Coverage depends on the specific plan and condition. The facility’s billing coordinator can verify eligibility and run a prior authorization check before scheduling.
Major commercial insurers in Birmingham include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, which is the largest insurer in the state, plus Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans generally follow Medicare’s coverage criteria for HBOT. Prior authorization is required. Off-label uses, including treatment for traumatic brain injury, autism, or long COVID, won’t be covered under any plan.
Our insurance guide walks through how prior authorization works. The cost guide covers what Birmingham patients typically pay per session and total.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Your first session starts with a medical intake evaluation. A hyperbaric physician reviews your medical history, confirms the diagnosis and HBOT indication, and screens for contraindications. Contraindications include untreated pneumothorax, certain pulmonary conditions, and some medications including certain chemotherapy drugs. This process takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Treatment itself involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA for most FDA-approved conditions. Compression takes about 10 minutes. You breathe at full pressure for 90 minutes. Decompression takes another 10 minutes. Most visits wrap up in under two hours.
Ear pressure equalization is the most common thing new patients notice. It feels like descending in an airplane. Staff will demonstrate equalization techniques before your first session starts.
Read the full first session guide for everything you need to know before your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Birmingham?
UAB Medicine (University of Alabama at Birmingham) is the state’s premier academic medical center and the primary referral destination for complex HBOT cases in Alabama. Birmingham also has wound care programs at community hospital systems throughout the metro. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited facilities.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Birmingham?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Coverage rules are federal and apply the same way in Birmingham as in any other city. Off-label uses are not covered. Reimbursement rates change annually, so verify current amounts with your facility’s billing team.
Does UAB Medicine offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
UAB Medicine operates one of the Southeast’s most established wound care programs. For current HBOT program details and appointment scheduling, use the UHMS directory at uhms.org or contact UAB Medicine directly through their patient access center.
See more providers in Alabama: Alabama HBOT Provider Directory
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before pursuing any medical treatment.