Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Montgomery, AL
Find HBOT providers in Montgomery, AL. Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital, and state capital area facilities. Medicare and insurance coverage explained.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Montgomery, AL
Montgomery is Alabama’s state capital and a mid-sized city with two major hospital systems serving the metro and surrounding counties. For most FDA-approved HBOT indications, patients in the Montgomery area don’t need to travel to Birmingham. An accredited program closer to home is the right starting point.
Finding HBOT Providers in Montgomery
The UHMS provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html is the right place to start. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society accredits facilities that meet clinical standards. An unaccredited program is a reason to ask more questions, not necessarily a dealbreaker, but accreditation is a meaningful quality signal.
Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital are the two main hospital systems in Montgomery. Both serve a large primary and secondary catchment area that includes parts of central Alabama. Hospital-based wound care programs, when available, are the most common setting for medical-grade HBOT.
For complex wound care cases, particularly those involving radiation injury or unusual presentations, UAB Medicine in Birmingham is about 90 minutes north and serves as the state’s primary academic medical referral center. Many Montgomery-area patients are referred there for specialty evaluation before treatment begins locally or at UAB.
If you’re looking at a standalone clinic rather than a hospital-based program, read our guide to choosing a clinic before deciding. Ask the clinic whether a board-certified hyperbaric physician supervises treatment and what pressure their chamber reaches.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Montgomery
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers that haven’t healed after four weeks of standard care, compromised grafts and flaps, radiation tissue damage, gas gangrene, crush injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning, and others. These are national rules and apply identically in Montgomery.
Reimbursement rates change each calendar year. Contact your facility’s billing team for current figures.
Alabama Medicaid may cover HBOT for qualifying patients depending on the condition and plan. Ask the facility’s billing coordinator to verify your eligibility and run prior authorization before your first appointment.
Commercial insurers active in the Montgomery market include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans typically follow Medicare’s clinical criteria for HBOT. Prior authorization is required. Off-label uses won’t be covered.
Our insurance guide explains the prior authorization process. Our cost guide covers typical out-of-pocket costs for patients with and without coverage.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Before your first treatment, a hyperbaric physician reviews your medical history and confirms you’re a candidate for HBOT. This intake process screens for contraindications, which include untreated ear or sinus problems, certain lung conditions, and some medications.
Inside the chamber, you breathe 100% oxygen while pressure rises to 2.0 to 2.4 ATA over about 10 minutes. You stay at that pressure for 90 minutes of treatment. Then the chamber decompresses over another 10 minutes. Total visit time is typically 90 to 120 minutes.
Ear pressure is the most common physical sensation. It’s manageable with equalization techniques that staff teach before your first session.
Read our first session guide for a detailed look at what to expect from your first visit through the end of a treatment course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Montgomery?
Baptist Health and Jackson Hospital are the two primary hospital systems serving Montgomery. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited HBOT facilities in the Montgomery area. For complex cases, UAB Medicine in Birmingham is about 90 minutes north and serves as the state’s major academic referral center.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Montgomery?
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 Montgomery 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.
Should Montgomery patients travel to Birmingham for HBOT?
For most FDA-approved HBOT indications, an accredited facility in Montgomery or the surrounding area will be appropriate. Complex or unusual cases that require specialized wound care or hyperbaric medicine expertise may warrant a referral to UAB Medicine in Birmingham. Ask your referring physician whether your condition is best handled locally or at an academic 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.