Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Lexington, KY
Find HBOT providers in Lexington, KY. UK HealthCare is the academic medical center for Central Kentucky. Medicare and insurance coverage explained.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Lexington, KY
Lexington is Kentucky’s second-largest city and home to UK HealthCare, the clinical enterprise of the University of Kentucky. UK HealthCare is Central Kentucky’s academic medical center and handles complex wound care cases from across a wide rural catchment area in Eastern and Central Kentucky. For patients in that part of the state, Lexington is often closer than Louisville and has comparable academic medical infrastructure.
Finding HBOT Providers in Lexington
Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html. Accreditation from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society indicates a facility has met clinical standards for physician oversight, safety, and equipment. That check takes two minutes and rules out programs that don’t meet medical standards.
UK HealthCare is Lexington’s dominant academic health system. UK Chandler Hospital and UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital handle complex referral cases including advanced wound care and HBOT. UK also serves as a referral destination for patients in Appalachian Kentucky who don’t have the same level of specialty care access locally.
Baptist Health Lexington is the other major health system in the Lexington market. It serves a large primary and secondary care population in the Bluegrass region.
For routine HBOT indications, Lexington offers multiple accredited options. For complex cases involving radiation injury, unusual wound presentations, or concurrent oncology care, UK HealthCare’s academic infrastructure is the stronger choice. Read our guide to choosing a clinic before deciding between programs.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Lexington
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. These rules are national. Covered conditions include diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue and bone damage, compromised grafts, arterial insufficiency ulcers, gas gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, and others.
Reimbursement rates change every year. Get current figures from the facility’s billing team.
Kentucky Medicaid, administered through managed care organizations, may cover HBOT for qualifying patients. Coverage depends on the plan and the condition. Ask the facility’s billing coordinator to verify and run prior authorization before scheduling.
Commercial insurers active in Lexington include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans generally follow Medicare’s clinical criteria for HBOT. Prior authorization is required. Off-label uses won’t be covered.
Our insurance guide covers how prior authorization works. Our cost guide covers typical out-of-pocket costs per session.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Your first visit starts with a medical intake evaluation. A hyperbaric physician reviews your history, confirms the HBOT indication, and screens for contraindications including untreated pulmonary conditions, certain ear and sinus problems, and some medications. This takes 30 to 60 minutes before any treatment.
Treatment is 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. Most visits are under two hours.
Ear pressure during compression is the most common experience for new patients. Staff teach equalization techniques before your first session. Most people adapt quickly after the first couple of visits.
Read our first session guide for a detailed look at what to expect from your intake evaluation through the full treatment course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Lexington?
UK HealthCare (University of Kentucky) is Lexington’s major academic medical center and the primary hub for complex wound care HBOT in Central Kentucky. UK Chandler Hospital is the flagship facility. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited HBOT facilities in the Lexington area.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Lexington?
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 Kentucky 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.
Is it better to get HBOT in Lexington or Louisville?
For most patients, proximity and accreditation status matter more than city choice. UK HealthCare in Lexington and UofL Health in Louisville are both academic medical centers with comparable wound care capabilities. If you’re equidistant between the two cities or your condition requires a specific specialty, ask your referring physician which program is better suited to your case.
See more providers in Kentucky: Kentucky 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.