Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Duluth, MN
Find HBOT providers in Duluth, Minnesota. Essentia Health, St. Luke's, maritime context, insurance coverage, and what to expect at your first session.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Duluth, MN
Duluth sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, about 150 miles north of the Twin Cities. It’s a port city with a maritime history and an active outdoor and diving community. Two health systems serve the Duluth area, giving residents access to hospital-based medical care without traveling to the Twin Cities for most conditions.
Finding HBOT Providers in Duluth
Essentia Health is a major regional health system headquartered in Duluth. Essentia operates across the upper Midwest, with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Its Duluth campus includes St. Mary’s Medical Center, the flagship hospital for the system in this region. Essentia has the depth to support a hospital-based hyperbaric program.
St. Luke’s is Duluth’s other major health system and has operated as an independent community hospital for over a century. St. Luke’s serves as an important complement to Essentia and provides the area with genuine hospital competition, which benefits patients.
HBOT program availability at either system can change. The UHMS provider search at uhms.org is the most reliable way to find accredited facilities currently active in Duluth. Call directly to confirm a program is accepting new patients before making any travel plans.
Duluth is also a reasonable drive for patients in northern Wisconsin — particularly the Superior, Wisconsin area directly across the bridge. Check network status with your Wisconsin insurer if you’re considering a Duluth facility.
Read our guide to choosing an HBOT clinic before you call.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Duluth
HBOT coverage in Duluth follows federal Medicare rules.
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Your cost is typically 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. Medicare reimbursement rates change annually — get a current estimate from the billing team before starting treatment.
Minnesota Medical Assistance may cover HBOT for FDA-approved conditions depending on your managed care plan and the facility’s network participation. Prior authorization is typical. Contact the billing department to confirm before scheduling.
Commercial insurers in northern Minnesota generally follow Medicare criteria for HBOT. Patients with Wisconsin-based plans should check whether Duluth facilities are in network before scheduling.
Off-label uses of HBOT are not covered by any insurance plan.
Diving emergencies are a separate category. If you’re a diver who has experienced decompression illness, call 911 immediately. Also contact DAN (Divers Alert Network) at 1-919-684-9111 for real-time guidance on the nearest recompression facility.
Full guides: Does Insurance Cover HBOT? and How Much Does HBOT Cost?
What to Expect at Your First Session
Hospital-based HBOT in Duluth starts with a physician evaluation. Your care team reviews your condition and medical history to confirm you’re a candidate for HBOT and to screen for contraindications. Treatment sessions run 90 minutes to two hours. Most courses involve daily sessions on weekdays over several consecutive weeks.
Cotton clothing, no electronics inside the chamber, and no lotions or perfume on treatment days. The staff will walk you through specifics before your first session.
Read our first HBOT session guide for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Duluth?
Duluth has two main health systems: Essentia Health and St. Luke’s. Both operate hospital campuses in the city. Use the UHMS provider search at uhms.org to find accredited facilities near your zip code and call to confirm whether a hyperbaric program is currently active and taking new patients.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Duluth, Minnesota?
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Federal coverage rules apply equally in Duluth. Your cost is typically 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. Medicare rates change annually — verify current figures with the facility’s billing team before starting treatment.
Are there HBOT options for divers near Duluth and Lake Superior?
Lake Superior has an active diving community. Decompression sickness is a medical emergency. If a diver experiences symptoms of decompression illness, call 911 immediately and contact DAN (Divers Alert Network) at 1-919-684-9111 for guidance on the nearest recompression facility. Duluth’s hospital-based hyperbaric programs may serve as a regional resource for diving emergencies.
See more providers in Minnesota: Minnesota 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.