Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor is home to University of Michigan Health, one of the nation’s top academic medical centers. Michigan Medicine’s hyperbaric medicine program handles complex cases that many other programs refer out. For patients with difficult non-healing wounds, rare infections, or complicated radiation injuries, Ann Arbor is a destination, not just a local option.

Finding HBOT Providers in Ann Arbor

University of Michigan Health, operating under the Michigan Medicine brand, is the dominant healthcare institution in Ann Arbor. Its wound care and hyperbaric medicine program operates at exceptional clinical depth, drawing on specialists in vascular surgery, infectious disease, plastic surgery, radiation oncology, and endocrinology within the same system. Complex cases that community programs struggle to manage are exactly what Michigan Medicine is built for.

Michigan Medicine receives referrals from across Michigan and from surrounding states. Patients with osteoradionecrosis after head and neck cancer treatment, complex diabetic foot infections involving bone, or unusual infections requiring hyperbaric adjuvant therapy are among those who end up at academic centers like this one.

Ann Arbor’s location, about 45 miles west of Detroit and about 60 to 70 miles from Lansing, also makes it accessible to patients in southeast and south-central Michigan. For patients in the immediate Ann Arbor area, Michigan Medicine is the obvious first call. For patients traveling in from other parts of the state, the academic resources justify the distance for the right cases.

Use the UHMS provider directory to confirm accreditation status and find additional facilities in the region. Before booking a consultation, read our guide to choosing a clinic.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Ann Arbor

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at a Medicare-certified hospital outpatient facility for a defined list of FDA-approved conditions. University of Michigan Health meets Medicare certification requirements. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, delayed radiation injury (osteoradionecrosis and soft tissue radionecrosis), gas gangrene, and arterial insufficiency ulcers, among others. Treatment must be physician-ordered and medically necessary.

Michigan Medicaid coverage for HBOT is limited and requires prior authorization. Michigan’s managed care Medicaid plans may handle HBOT coverage differently. Confirm with your specific plan before assuming coverage.

Commercial insurers in Michigan, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, and Aetna, may cover HBOT for FDA-approved indications with prior authorization and documentation of medical necessity. Off-label uses, including HBOT for traumatic brain injury, long COVID, or other investigational conditions, aren’t covered by any major insurer.

Medicare reimbursement rates change annually. Any figure you find online may not be current. Verify with Michigan Medicine’s billing team directly. For full detail on costs and coverage, see our insurance guide and cost guide.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At Michigan Medicine, the first appointment is a full physician consultation. The hyperbaric medicine physician reviews your records, imaging, prior treatment history, and current medications to confirm you’re a candidate for treatment. The chamber session itself runs about 90 minutes. You’ll breathe 100% oxygen at 2.0 to 3.0 ATA depending on your diagnosis and protocol. Compression and decompression produce an ear-pressure sensation similar to descending in an airplane.

At an academic center, the clinical team tends to be more involved in documenting response to treatment and adjusting protocols based on outcomes. This is part of what distinguishes academic programs from community wound care clinics.

Read a full first-session walkthrough in our first session guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to Michigan Medicine or a closer community hospital for HBOT? It depends on your case. Straightforward diabetic foot ulcers or radiation injuries where the diagnosis is clear and the wound care plan is standard can often be handled well at community programs. Michigan Medicine is worth the extra distance for complex presentations, unusual diagnoses, or cases where prior wound care has failed and specialist input across multiple departments is needed.

Does Michigan Medicine accept out-of-state patients for HBOT? Yes. Michigan Medicine operates as a regional referral center and sees patients from across the Midwest. If you’re traveling from outside Michigan for a multi-week HBOT course, discuss logistics, session frequency, and total treatment length with the program before committing.

What if I need HBOT but can’t get to Ann Arbor regularly? If the daily session requirement makes Ann Arbor impractical, ask your referring physician about options closer to home. Sparrow Health in Lansing, Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, and Henry Ford Health in Detroit are all qualified alternatives depending on your location. Michigan Medicine can also help coordinate with referring physicians if needed.

See more providers in Michigan: Michigan HBOT Providers

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.