Is the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora or Denver?

The University of Colorado Hospital is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, not Denver — though it's commonly referred to as the Denver area. It's one of Colorado's top academic medical centers and the flagship of the UCHealth system. For patients seeking clinical HBOT, the Anschutz campus is a primary referral destination for complex cases across the Colorado Front Range.

Does Medicare cover HBOT at the University of Colorado Hospital?

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at University of Colorado Hospital for qualifying conditions with a physician referral and documented medical necessity. The facility is a Medicare-participating provider. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers, chronic bone infections, delayed radiation injury, and decompression sickness. Rates change annually — verify current figures with the facility's billing department.

Why would someone be referred to Aurora's Anschutz campus instead of a closer hospital?

Academic medical centers handle complex or unusual cases that community hospitals may not. Patients with complicated wounds, rare conditions, radiation injuries from cancer treatment, or cases that haven't responded to standard care are often referred to academic programs for subspecialty expertise. The Anschutz campus also trains hyperbaric medicine fellows, which means access to faculty-level wound care and hyperbaric specialists.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Aurora, CO

Aurora is home to the Anschutz Medical Campus — and with it, the University of Colorado Hospital, one of Colorado’s most important academic medical centers. Despite being technically in Aurora rather than Denver, it functions as the top-tier clinical referral hub for the entire Front Range. For HBOT specifically, the UCHealth system at Anschutz offers the level of subspecialty expertise that complex wound care and hyperbaric medicine cases often require.

Finding HBOT Providers in Aurora

University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus is the anchor here. UCHealth operates one of Colorado’s most advanced clinical programs, and the academic setting means access to board-certified hyperbaric medicine physicians and specialty wound care teams.

Patients are referred to Anschutz from across the state — from Boulder, Colorado Springs, the Western Slope, and rural communities — when their condition requires academic-level care. If your wound or condition hasn’t responded to treatment elsewhere, or if you have a rare or complex case, this is typically where Colorado physicians send you.

Aurora also sits within the broader Denver metro, which means the same range of community hospital wound care programs and standalone wellness clinics that serve Denver are generally accessible from Aurora as well.

Use the UHMS provider directory to confirm current hyperbaric program details at Anschutz and other Aurora-area facilities. Program details change, and the directory is more accurate than static listings. See our provider selection guide if you’re comparing multiple options.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Aurora

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at University of Colorado Hospital for qualifying conditions. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, delayed radiation injury, gas gangrene, decompression sickness, and others. A physician referral documents medical necessity, and the facility must be Medicare-approved (University of Colorado Hospital is).

Commercial insurers covering Aurora residents — Anthem BCBS of Colorado, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna — may cover HBOT for FDA-approved indications with prior authorization. Academic medical center billing can be complex, so confirm your in-network status before starting treatment.

If you’re being referred from outside the Denver metro, verify that your out-of-area insurance covers services at the Anschutz campus specifically. Some regional and rural plans have network restrictions that require out-of-network exceptions for academic center care.

Wellness and off-label HBOT is self-pay regardless of location. See the insurance guide and cost guide for details. Medicare rates change annually — confirm with the facility.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At an academic medical center like University of Colorado Hospital, your first HBOT visit is typically part of a broader wound care or specialty clinic consultation. You may meet a wound care physician, a hyperbaric medicine specialist, or both. The intake is thorough — expect a detailed medical history review, a physical exam of the relevant area, and a discussion of your treatment plan before the first session.

Clinical sessions run 90–120 minutes. You’ll wear cotton clothing, follow the standard safety protocol for oxygen-rich environments, and be guided through equalizing ear pressure during pressurization. Academic programs are practiced at managing patients with complex medical histories in the chamber.

See the full first HBOT session guide for a complete walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Aurora’s altitude affect HBOT at Anschutz? Aurora sits at roughly 5,400 feet. Like the rest of the Denver metro, altitude has no effect on HBOT — the chamber environment is pressurized independently of outside atmospheric conditions. Sessions at Anschutz deliver the same therapeutic pressure as sessions at sea level.

Can I self-refer to the UCHealth hyperbaric program in Aurora? In most cases, no. Academic medical center hyperbaric programs typically require a physician referral. The program’s medical team will want to review your history and imaging before accepting you as a patient. If you don’t have a referring physician, your primary care doctor is the right starting point for getting a referral into the program.

How long is the wait for an HBOT appointment at Anschutz? Wait times at academic medical centers vary and can be longer than community programs. If your wound care is time-sensitive, ask your referring physician whether a community program can begin treatment while you wait for an Anschutz appointment, or whether the urgency warrants expedited referral. Don’t delay wound care while waiting for a specific facility if local options can begin treatment sooner.

See more providers in Colorado: Colorado HBOT Providers

Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. It’s not medical advice and doesn’t create a doctor-patient relationship. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy carries risks and isn’t appropriate for everyone. Talk to a licensed physician before starting any HBOT treatment. Always verify provider credentials and facility accreditation directly.