Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in San Diego, CA

San Diego has one of the most developed hyperbaric medicine communities on the West Coast. The military presence — including Naval Medical Center San Diego and training infrastructure tied to Naval Special Warfare — built a foundation of diving medicine expertise that carries over into civilian care. UC San Diego Health provides academic-level hyperbaric programs for civilian patients. Wound care centers operate throughout the county through multiple hospital systems. Wellness clinics exist in coastal communities but serve a different purpose than clinical programs.

Finding HBOT Providers in San Diego

For clinical HBOT treating an FDA-approved condition, your starting point is hospital-affiliated programs. UC San Diego Health operates one of the region’s primary academic hyperbaric medicine programs. Community hospital systems serving the broader San Diego County area also maintain wound care and hyperbaric programs. These facilities require a physician referral, bill Medicare and commercial insurance, and operate at therapeutic pressures (2.0-3.0 ATA).

Military hyperbaric facilities at Naval Medical Center San Diego primarily serve active duty personnel, reservists, and eligible dependents. If you’re a civilian patient, don’t assume you can access military facilities — most civilian patients need civilian hospital programs.

San Diego’s diving culture creates a specific population of patients seeking HBOT for decompression illness. This is an FDA-approved indication. If you or someone with you shows signs of decompression sickness after a dive — joint pain, neurological symptoms, skin mottling, breathing difficulty — call DAN (Divers Alert Network) at 1-919-684-9111 immediately. DAN operates a 24-hour emergency line and can locate the nearest hyperbaric facility. Don’t search for clinics during a dive emergency. Call DAN first.

Coastal communities in San Diego, including areas near the beach and north county, have standalone wellness clinics offering mild hyperbaric sessions at lower pressures. These are not substitutes for clinical treatment and aren’t covered by insurance.

The UHMS (Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society) maintains a provider directory at uhms.org. Filter by zip code to find accredited facilities near you.

For a full list of questions to ask any provider before booking, see our guide to choosing a clinic.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in San Diego

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient departments. These are federal rules — they apply in San Diego the same as everywhere in the country.

California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) may cover HBOT for the same approved indications. San Diego County is served by multiple Medi-Cal managed care plans. Coverage varies by plan. Call the facility’s billing team before your first appointment to confirm your plan and coverage.

TRICARE covers HBOT for eligible military beneficiaries at approved facilities. If you have TRICARE, confirm the facility is in-network before scheduling. Not all civilian hyperbaric programs are TRICARE-contracted.

Commercial insurers generally follow Medicare’s criteria. Prior authorization is almost always required.

Off-label uses — including TBI, anti-aging, long COVID, and athletic recovery — aren’t covered by any insurer in San Diego or elsewhere.

Read the full coverage details in our insurance guide or see our cost guide.

What to Expect at Your First Session

Sessions last 60-90 minutes at pressure. You’ll breathe 100% oxygen through a mask or hood while the chamber pressurizes to 2.0-3.0 ATA. The main sensation most patients notice is ear pressure during pressurization, similar to descending in an airplane. Staff will walk you through equalization techniques before your first session.

If you’re a diver and have had prior decompression illness, mention that history at your intake. Your care team will want to know.

Read the full first session guide before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in San Diego? Search the UHMS directory at uhms.org by zip code. Hospital-affiliated wound care and hyperbaric programs operate through UC San Diego Health and community systems across San Diego County. Military facilities serve a separate patient population. See our guide to choosing a clinic for questions to ask before booking.

Does Medicare cover HBOT in San Diego? Yes. Federal Medicare rules cover HBOT for 14 approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. See our insurance guide for details.

Does San Diego have providers experienced with diving injuries? Yes. San Diego’s diving medicine community is strong. For a dive emergency, call DAN at 1-919-684-9111 immediately — don’t search for clinics. For non-emergency diving-related HBOT evaluation, a physician referral and search through the UHMS directory is the right path.

See more providers in California: /providers/california/

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.