Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids is the medical hub of western Michigan. Corewell Health, which acquired and rebranded the former Spectrum Health system, dominates the market here and runs the major wound care and hyperbaric programs that serve patients from across the western half of the state.

Finding HBOT Providers in Grand Rapids

Corewell Health’s Grand Rapids campus, centered on Butterworth Hospital and Blodgett Hospital, is the primary source of hospital-based HBOT in western Michigan. Corewell’s wound care programs handle a wide range of conditions, from diabetic foot ulcers to radiation tissue injuries, and serve a regional patient population that extends well beyond Kent County.

Patients from Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Holland, and other western Michigan communities without local hyperbaric programs often travel to Grand Rapids for HBOT. The daily session schedule over several weeks makes geographic convenience important. Grand Rapids is a practical destination for western Michigan patients who need a credentialed program.

Corewell Health also operates in the Detroit suburbs, so patients who are familiar with the Corewell brand from eastern Michigan may find continuity of care by staying within the same system in Grand Rapids.

For accredited HBOT facilities in the area, use the UHMS provider directory. Before selecting a program, read our guide to choosing a clinic.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Grand Rapids

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at a Medicare-certified hospital outpatient facility for a specific list of FDA-approved conditions. Diabetic foot ulcers, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, delayed radiation injury, arterial insufficiency ulcers, and gas gangrene are among the covered indications. Treatment must be physician-ordered and medically necessary.

Michigan Medicaid coverage for HBOT is limited. Prior authorization is required for approved indications, and managed care plans in Michigan handle HBOT coverage differently from plan to plan. Confirm with your specific plan before assuming coverage.

Commercial insurers serving Grand Rapids, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Priority Health, and Aetna, may cover HBOT for FDA-approved conditions with prior authorization and medical necessity documentation. Off-label uses aren’t covered by insurance.

Medicare rates change annually. Verify current figures with Corewell Health’s billing department rather than relying on outdated published estimates. For more on costs and how to work with insurers, see our insurance guide and cost guide.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At a Grand Rapids hospital program, the first appointment is a consultation with a hyperbaric medicine physician. They review your records, confirm your diagnosis qualifies, and evaluate your fitness for pressurized oxygen therapy. The chamber session itself runs about 90 minutes. Pressure changes during compression and decompression feel similar to an airplane descent. Most patients adapt quickly after the first session or two.

For a complete first-session walkthrough, including what to wear, what to avoid eating beforehand, and what side effects are possible, see our first session guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Corewell Health the only major HBOT option in Grand Rapids? Corewell Health is the dominant system in western Michigan, and for most patients it’s the primary option for hospital-based HBOT in Grand Rapids. Mercy Health operates in the area as well. For accredited facilities beyond Corewell, check the UHMS provider directory.

Do Grand Rapids programs treat patients from outside the city? Yes. Grand Rapids routinely serves patients from across western Michigan, including communities that don’t have local specialty programs. If you’re traveling from Kalamazoo or Muskegon, confirm scheduling logistics given the daily treatment requirement.

Are there wellness HBOT clinics in Grand Rapids separate from hospitals? Some operate in the Grand Rapids area. These offer mild-pressure sessions paid out of pocket without physician oversight. They’re not appropriate for treating FDA-approved medical conditions and aren’t a substitute for physician-supervised hyperbaric medicine.

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.