Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Louisiana: How to Find a Provider

Louisiana has a well-developed HBOT market centered in New Orleans, with additional access in Baton Rouge and Shreveport. New Orleans is home to two major academic medical centers — LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Medical Center — making it the strongest market in the state for complex HBOT cases. Louisiana’s Gulf Coast also brings a diving and offshore oil industry population that creates additional demand for hyperbaric medicine.

Where to Find HBOT in Louisiana

Hospital-based wound care programs are the primary setting for medical-grade HBOT in Louisiana. These programs treat FDA-approved conditions — diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue injury, and chronic non-healing wounds — under physician supervision. They handle insurance prior authorization and coordinate with your care team.

New Orleans has a concentration of academic medical resources unusual for a city its size. LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Medical Center are both established academic systems with the clinical capacity to handle complex HBOT cases. University Medical Center New Orleans is the major safety-net hospital in the city and serves a broad patient population.

Baton Rouge is the state capital and has multiple hospital systems. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Baton Rouge General serve central Louisiana. Wound care programs at these facilities may include HBOT.

Shreveport in northwestern Louisiana has Willis-Knighton Health and Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport (formerly Christus Shreveport-Bossier). These serve northern Louisiana and patients near the Texas and Arkansas borders.

Louisiana’s Gulf Coast and offshore oil industry means that diving-related injuries (decompression sickness) are a real clinical concern in this state. If you’re dealing with a diving emergency, contact Divers Alert Network (DAN) at 1-919-684-9111 immediately.

The best starting point: use the UHMS (Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society) provider search at uhms.org. It lists accredited facilities across Louisiana.

Browse our full provider directory for more guidance on what to look for.

Major Areas in Louisiana Where HBOT Is Available

New Orleans is Louisiana’s primary HBOT hub. LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Medical Center anchor the academic medical market here. Most complex HBOT referrals from across the state eventually route to New Orleans.

Baton Rouge serves central Louisiana. Our Lady of the Lake and Baton Rouge General are the major systems. Residents between New Orleans and Baton Rouge generally have access to providers in either city.

Shreveport serves northwestern Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex region. Major hospital systems here provide wound care services that may include HBOT.

Lafayette has a growing medical infrastructure. Ochsner Lafayette General and other local facilities serve the Acadiana region. HBOT availability should be confirmed directly with specific facilities.

Rural Louisiana (outside these major metro areas) has limited local HBOT access. Patients in rural parishes typically need to travel to the nearest major city with a hyperbaric program.

What to Ask a Potential Provider

Before you book, ask every provider these questions.

• Is this a medical-grade hyperbaric chamber (2.0 ATA or higher)?
• Is there a board-certified or credentialed hyperbaric physician on staff?
• Is my condition FDA-approved for HBOT?
• Does your facility work with my insurance for prior authorization?
• Is the facility UHMS-accredited?

Louisiana’s mix of urban academic centers and rural communities means access varies significantly by parish. If you’re not in a major metro, start with a referral from your primary care physician rather than calling facilities directly.

Read our guide to your first HBOT session before you go.

Insurance Coverage for HBOT in Louisiana

Coverage for HBOT in Louisiana follows national standards.

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. This applies in Louisiana just as it does in every other state.

Louisiana Medicaid (Bayou Health) coverage for HBOT varies by condition and managed care plan. Contact the facility’s billing department to confirm coverage before scheduling.

Commercial insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Humana, and Aetna generally follow Medicare coverage criteria. Prior authorization is almost always required.

Off-label uses (including TBI, anti-aging, athletic recovery, and autism) are not covered by any insurance in Louisiana or anywhere else.

Check our full guide: Does Insurance Cover HBOT?

Want to know what treatment costs? See our HBOT cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Louisiana?

The UHMS maintains a searchable provider directory at uhms.org. Search by your zip code. Hospital-based wound care centers in New Orleans and Baton Rouge are a good starting point. LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans are major academic resources for HBOT in the state.

Does Medicare cover HBOT in Louisiana?

Yes. Medicare coverage rules are federal and apply equally in all states, including Louisiana. Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. See our insurance guide for full details.

Does Louisiana Medicaid (Bayou Health) cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Louisiana Medicaid (Bayou Health) coverage for HBOT varies by condition and managed care plan. Coverage is most likely for FDA-approved indications such as diabetic foot ulcers and chronic non-healing wounds. Contact the facility’s billing department before scheduling to confirm your plan’s coverage and prior authorization requirements.

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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.