Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in San Francisco, CA

Q: Where can I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in San Francisco?

UCSF Health is the primary academic medical center serving San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Hospital-affiliated wound care and hyperbaric programs operate at UCSF and through other Bay Area health systems. Wellness clinics offering mild hyperbaric sessions exist in affluent San Francisco neighborhoods and across the Bay Area. Search the UHMS directory at uhms.org by zip code to find accredited clinical facilities.

Q: Does Medicare cover HBOT in San Francisco?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Coverage rules are federal and apply in San Francisco the same as everywhere else. Wellness clinics offering low-pressure or off-label sessions are not covered.

Q: How do I tell a legitimate medical HBOT clinic from a wellness clinic in the Bay Area?

Ask two questions: what pressure does the chamber operate at, and is a physician supervising treatment? Clinical HBOT runs at 2.0–3.0 ATA under physician oversight and treats FDA-approved conditions. Wellness HBOT typically runs at 1.3–1.5 ATA without physician supervision. The Bay Area has many wellness-focused clinics marketing HBOT for recovery, focus, and longevity. These are legal services, but they're not the same as clinical treatment and aren't covered by insurance.

UCSF Health is the anchor of clinical hyperbaric medicine in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area. Hospital-affiliated wound care programs connected to Bay Area health systems serve patients across San Francisco, Marin, the East Bay, and the Peninsula. The tech culture of the Bay Area has also produced a dense layer of wellness clinics offering HBOT for recovery, cognitive performance, and longevity — a very different category from clinical treatment. Knowing which type of facility you need is the first step.

Finding HBOT Providers in San Francisco

If you have a physician referral and an FDA-approved condition, hospital-affiliated programs are the right starting point. UCSF Health operates academic-level hyperbaric medicine programs and is a major referral destination for complex wound and radiation injury cases across Northern California. Other Bay Area health systems, including those serving the East Bay and Peninsula, maintain hospital-based wound care and hyperbaric programs as well.

San Francisco proper is a small geographic area. Bay Area patients often cross county lines for care — a program in Oakland or Daly City may be more accessible than one in the city itself, depending on where you live. Search by zip code rather than city.

The Bay Area startup culture has shaped the wellness HBOT market here. Clinics in neighborhoods like Pacific Heights, the Marina, and other affluent areas market mild hyperbaric sessions for recovery, anti-aging, and cognitive benefits. These clinics often don’t require a physician referral and don’t bill insurance. They operate at 1.3-1.5 ATA, not the 2.0-3.0 ATA pressure used for FDA-approved treatments. Ask any clinic clearly: what pressure does the chamber run at? If the answer is below 2.0 ATA, you’re looking at a wellness service, not clinical HBOT.

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 Francisco

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient departments. Federal rules apply in San Francisco the same as everywhere else.

California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) may cover HBOT for the same approved indications. San Francisco County residents are typically enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care plan. Coverage eligibility and in-network facility lists vary. Call the facility’s billing department before scheduling to confirm your plan is accepted.

Commercial insurers in the Bay Area generally follow Medicare’s criteria. Given the high cost of Bay Area healthcare overall, prior authorization requirements are strict. Get authorization confirmed in writing before starting treatment.

Off-label uses — including TBI, anti-aging, long COVID, and athletic recovery — aren’t covered by any insurer in San Francisco 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. Most patients describe the main sensation as ear pressure during pressurization, similar to descending in an airplane. Staff will walk you through equalization techniques before your first session.

San Francisco’s hospital campuses have limited parking. For treatments requiring multiple sessions per week over several weeks, check your facility’s parking situation in advance. Some hospital systems validate parking for outpatient treatment visits.

Read the full first session guide before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in San Francisco? UCSF Health is the primary academic medical center in the region. Hospital-affiliated wound care programs exist throughout the Bay Area. Search the UHMS directory at uhms.org by zip code — Bay Area patients often find accessible programs in adjacent cities. See our guide to choosing a clinic.

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

How do I tell a legitimate medical HBOT clinic from a wellness clinic in the Bay Area? Ask about operating pressure and physician oversight. Clinical HBOT runs at 2.0-3.0 ATA under a physician. Wellness HBOT at 1.3-1.5 ATA is a different service. Both types exist in the Bay Area. Insurance only covers clinical HBOT at hospital-based facilities.

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.