Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in New Orleans, LA
Find HBOT providers in New Orleans, LA. Tulane Medical Center, UMC New Orleans, and Gulf Coast facilities. Medicare and insurance coverage explained.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has strong academic medical infrastructure for a city its size. Tulane Medical Center and University Medical Center New Orleans both operate as teaching hospitals with specialty programs that include wound care. The region also has a high prevalence of diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and obesity, which creates significant clinical demand for HBOT wound care programs.
Finding HBOT Providers in New Orleans
The UHMS provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html is the right starting point. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society accredits facilities that meet standards for physician oversight, equipment, and safety. Accredited programs have passed a formal review that unaccredited clinics haven’t.
Tulane Medical Center is a private academic medical center with strong wound care and vascular programs. University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC) is the public academic hospital affiliated with LSU Health New Orleans. It serves as the city’s primary safety-net hospital and handles a high volume of complex wound care cases.
The Gulf Coast location gives the New Orleans health system experience with diving-related emergencies. Decompression sickness is rare but does occur in the Gulf Coast recreational and commercial diving communities. For diving emergencies, call 911 immediately and contact DAN (Divers Alert Network) at 1-919-684-9111.
For planned wound care HBOT, the choice between a hospital-based program and a standalone clinic comes down to accreditation and physician oversight. Read our guide to choosing a clinic before making a decision.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in New Orleans
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. These rules are national. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue damage, compromised grafts, carbon monoxide poisoning, and others. Off-label uses are not covered.
Reimbursement rates change annually. Get current figures from your facility’s billing team.
Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) operates through managed care organizations and may cover HBOT for qualifying patients. Coverage depends on the plan and the condition. The facility’s billing coordinator can run a prior authorization check before scheduling.
Major commercial insurers serving New Orleans include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans generally follow Medicare’s coverage criteria. Prior authorization is required for all covered indications. Off-label uses won’t be covered.
Our insurance guide covers how to handle prior authorization. Our cost guide covers what New Orleans patients typically pay per session.
What to Expect at Your First Session
A hyperbaric physician reviews your medical history before treatment begins. They confirm the diagnosis and HBOT indication and screen for contraindications including untreated pulmonary conditions, ear and sinus issues, and certain medications. Intake takes 30 to 60 minutes on your first visit.
Treatment runs 90 minutes at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA, breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. Compression takes about 10 minutes at the start. Decompression takes another 10 minutes at the end. Most visits take under two hours total.
New patients most commonly notice ear pressure during compression. It’s similar to descending in an airplane. Staff teach equalization techniques before your first session.
Read our first session guide for a complete picture of what to expect, including what to eat, what medications to disclose, and how to track response to treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in New Orleans?
Tulane Medical Center and University Medical Center New Orleans (an LSU Health affiliate) are the two major academic medical centers in New Orleans. Both operate wound care programs. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited HBOT facilities in the New Orleans metro.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in New Orleans?
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 Louisiana 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.
Does Louisiana Medicaid cover HBOT in New Orleans?
Louisiana Medicaid (Healthy Louisiana) may cover HBOT for qualifying patients depending on the managed care plan and the specific condition. Coverage follows FDA-approved indications. Ask the facility’s billing coordinator to verify eligibility and run prior authorization before scheduling. Off-label uses won’t be covered.
See more providers in Louisiana: Louisiana 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.