Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Missoula, MT

Missoula is western Montana’s largest city and home to the University of Montana. Providence St. Patrick Hospital and Community Medical Center serve as the two main hospitals in the area. For specialized HBOT needs, some Missoula patients are referred to Spokane, Washington — about 3 hours west on I-90 — where larger regional medical centers offer more clinical hyperbaric capacity.

Finding HBOT Providers in Missoula

Providence St. Patrick Hospital is part of Providence Health & Services, a large Catholic health system operating across the western United States. It’s one of the larger hospitals in Montana and the primary referral center for western Montana patients. Community Medical Center is an independent community hospital that rounds out Missoula’s hospital options.

Whether either hospital currently operates an active hyperbaric program should be confirmed using the UHMS provider directory. Hospital wound care programs open and close based on staffing and demand, and a current directory search is more reliable than any static listing.

For patients who need a more specialized program — or if no active program exists locally — Spokane, WA is the most practical option for western Montana. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and MultiCare Deaconess Hospital are significantly larger facilities with more specialized wound care infrastructure. The 3-hour drive on I-90 is manageable for some patients, though it requires planning for a multi-week treatment course.

See our provider selection guide for what to ask when evaluating HBOT options in Missoula or Spokane.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Missoula

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at Medicare-participating facilities in Missoula for qualifying conditions. If your physician refers you to a Spokane facility, Medicare may cover treatment there as well, provided it’s a Medicare-approved program and your referral is documented properly.

Montana Medicaid coverage for HBOT depends on your specific plan. Verify benefits with your provider’s billing office before starting treatment.

Commercial insurers serving Missoula — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PacificSource, Providence Health Plan — may cover HBOT for FDA-approved indications with prior authorization. If you’re crossing state lines to receive care in Spokane, confirm your plan’s out-of-network or out-of-state coverage policies before you make the trip.

Off-label wellness HBOT is self-pay. The standalone wellness clinic market in Missoula is small. See the insurance guide and cost guide for full details. Medicare rates change annually.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At a Missoula hospital-based program, the first visit starts with a physician consultation. Your history is reviewed, your diagnosis is confirmed as appropriate for HBOT, and you’re walked through safety protocols before entering the chamber.

Sessions run 90–120 minutes. You’ll wear cotton clothing, avoid petroleum products, and manage ear pressure during pressurization. If you’re traveling to Spokane, the logistics require more planning — lodging, scheduling, and transportation for a multi-week course all need to be sorted out before you begin.

See the complete first session guide for a full walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spokane a realistic option for Missoula patients? For some patients, yes. Three hours by car (about 200 miles on I-90) is long for daily sessions, but some patients do travel that distance for specialized medical care. More commonly, patients doing a 4–6 week treatment course make arrangements to stay in Spokane during the week. Talk to your referring physician about the logistics and whether the treatment is urgent enough to make the distance worthwhile.

Are there HBOT options in other western Montana cities like Kalispell or Hamilton? Kalispell has Logan Health (formerly Kalispell Regional Medical Center) to the north. Whether it operates a hyperbaric program should be checked via the UHMS directory. Hamilton’s Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is a smaller community facility. Most western Montana patients outside Missoula end up traveling to either Missoula or Spokane for clinical HBOT.

Does Missoula’s University of Montana community affect HBOT access? Not directly. UM’s student health services are primary care-focused and not a source of clinical HBOT. However, the university community means Missoula has a health-conscious population, which may support some wellness HBOT interest over time. For clinical care, the hospital systems are the right starting point.

See more providers in Montana: Montana HBOT Providers

Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. It’s not medical advice and doesn’t create a doctor-patient relationship. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy carries risks and isn’t appropriate for everyone. Talk to a licensed physician before starting any HBOT treatment. Always verify provider credentials and facility accreditation directly.