Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Little Rock, AR
Find HBOT providers in Little Rock, AR. UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent serve Arkansas's capital. Medicare and insurance coverage explained.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Little Rock, AR
Little Rock is Arkansas’s state capital and its medical hub. UAMS, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is the state’s only academic medical center. It’s where the most complex wound care and HBOT cases in Arkansas are evaluated and treated. For patients across the state, Little Rock is the primary destination for specialty hyperbaric medicine.
Finding HBOT Providers in Little Rock
Start with the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society accredits facilities that meet clinical standards for physician oversight, equipment, and safety. Accreditation is the most reliable filter for finding a legitimate medical HBOT program.
UAMS is the dominant academic health system in Arkansas. Its wound care programs handle diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, compromised grafts, and other complex HBOT indications. As the state’s academic center, UAMS also receives referrals from hospitals across Arkansas that don’t have hyperbaric programs of their own.
Baptist Health is one of the largest health systems in Arkansas, with hospitals throughout the state and major facilities in Little Rock. CHI St. Vincent is another major Catholic health system serving the Little Rock metro. Both operate wound care programs that may include hyperbaric services. Use the UHMS directory to confirm which facilities are accredited before calling.
For a standalone or freestanding clinic, read our guide to choosing a clinic before scheduling. Ask specifically about the chamber pressure rating and the credentials of the supervising physician.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Little Rock
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Covered conditions include diabetic lower extremity ulcers, radiation soft tissue and bone necrosis, compromised grafts and flaps, carbon monoxide poisoning, arterial insufficiency ulcers, and others. These are national rules.
Reimbursement rates change annually. Get current figures from your facility’s billing team before scheduling.
Arkansas Medicaid may cover HBOT for qualifying patients. Coverage depends on the managed care plan and the condition. The facility’s billing coordinator can run a prior authorization check before your first appointment.
Commercial insurers active in the Little Rock market include Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, QualChoice, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans generally follow Medicare’s coverage criteria. Prior authorization is required. Off-label uses won’t be covered under any plan.
Our insurance guide walks through the prior authorization process. Our cost guide covers typical out-of-pocket costs per session and across a full treatment course.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Your first visit begins with a medical intake evaluation. A hyperbaric physician reviews your medical history, confirms the HBOT indication, and checks for contraindications. This takes 30 to 60 minutes before any chamber time.
Treatment runs 90 minutes at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. Compression takes about 10 minutes. Decompression takes another 10 minutes. Total visit time is typically under two hours.
Ear pressure equalization is the most common physical sensation for new patients. Staff demonstrate the techniques before your first session.
Read our first session guide for a full walkthrough of what to expect from the intake evaluation through the end of a treatment course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Little Rock?
UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) is Arkansas’s major academic medical center and the primary referral destination for complex HBOT cases in the state. Baptist Health and CHI St. Vincent also serve the Little Rock metro. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited facilities.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Little Rock?
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 Arkansas as in any other state. Off-label uses are not covered. Reimbursement rates change annually, so verify current amounts with your facility’s billing team.
Does Arkansas Medicaid cover HBOT?
Arkansas Medicaid may cover HBOT for qualifying patients depending on the condition and the specific managed care plan. Coverage follows FDA-approved indications. Ask the facility’s billing coordinator to verify eligibility and run prior authorization before scheduling. Off-label uses won’t be covered.
See more providers in Arkansas: Arkansas 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.