Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Missouri: How to Find a Provider

Missouri has two major HBOT markets — St. Louis and Kansas City — separated by about 250 miles. Both cities have strong academic medical infrastructure. Washington University/BJC Healthcare anchors St. Louis, and a combination of University of Missouri Health Care, Saint Luke’s, and KU Medical Center (across the border in Kansas) serves Kansas City. Springfield is the major hub for the southern part of the state.

Where to Find HBOT in Missouri

Hospital-based wound care programs are the standard setting for HBOT in Missouri. These programs treat FDA-approved conditions — diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue injury, and chronic non-healing wounds — under physician supervision. They coordinate insurance prior authorization and work with your referring physician throughout treatment.

Washington University School of Medicine and BJC Healthcare in St. Louis form one of the strongest academic medical partnerships in the Midwest. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the flagship of BJC, handles complex HBOT cases from across Missouri and the surrounding region. St. Louis also has SSM Health and Mercy Hospital systems with wound care programs.

In Kansas City, the University of Missouri Health Care system has a presence, and Saint Luke’s Health System is one of the largest regional health networks in the area. KU Medical Center, technically in Kansas City, Kansas, is a major academic resource for the entire metro and regularly serves Missouri patients.

University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia, roughly midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, is MU Health’s flagship campus. It serves a large geographic area in central Missouri.

CoxHealth and Mercy health systems in Springfield serve southwestern Missouri. Patients in the Ozarks region have reasonable access to Springfield’s hospital-based wound care programs.

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

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

Major Areas in Missouri Where HBOT Is Available

St. Louis is the state’s primary HBOT hub. Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the BJC/Washington University network handle the most complex cases in Missouri. Multiple other hospital systems also operate in the metro with wound care capabilities.

Kansas City is served by Saint Luke’s, the University of Missouri Kansas City system, and KU Medical Center across the state line. The metro has multiple strong options and is the main hub for western Missouri.

Columbia is home to MU Health Care, which serves a large central Missouri region. This is a solid option for patients between the two major metros.

Springfield serves southwestern Missouri and the Ozarks. CoxHealth and Mercy are the dominant systems here.

Rural Missouri (southeast Missouri “Bootheel”, north Missouri, Ozarks outside Springfield) has limited local HBOT access. Patients in rural areas typically travel to the nearest major city. Ask your primary care physician which facility they would refer you to before searching independently.

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?

Missouri’s two major metros give most residents a real choice between multiple facilities. If you’re in the St. Louis area, compare wait times at BJC, SSM, and Mercy before committing. In Kansas City, the Missouri-Kansas border doesn’t matter — pick the closest accredited facility.

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

Insurance Coverage for HBOT in Missouri

Coverage for HBOT in Missouri follows national standards.

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

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

Commercial insurers like Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare 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 Missouri 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 Missouri?

The UHMS maintains a searchable provider directory at uhms.org. Search by your zip code. Hospital-based wound care centers in St. Louis and Kansas City are a good starting point. Washington University/BJC Healthcare in St. Louis and the University of Missouri Health Care system are the state’s primary academic resources for HBOT.

Does Medicare cover HBOT in Missouri?

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

Does Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

MO HealthNet 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.

---

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.