Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in New Mexico: How to Find a Provider

New Mexico’s hyperbaric oxygen therapy access is concentrated in Albuquerque, with UNM Health serving as the primary academic referral center for the state. Rural patients — and New Mexico has many — face real access challenges and usually need to travel to Albuquerque for hospital-grade HBOT.

Where to Find HBOT in New Mexico

Hospital-based wound care centers are the most reliable route to accredited HBOT in New Mexico. These facilities operate under physician supervision, use medical-grade chambers, and work with Medicare and commercial insurers on prior authorization.

UNM Health (University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center) in Albuquerque is the state’s primary academic medical center. It handles complex wound care and hyperbaric referrals from across New Mexico, including from tribal health systems, rural critical access hospitals, and specialty referrals from Santa Fe and surrounding communities. If you need HBOT for an FDA-approved condition and you’re anywhere in the state, Albuquerque is your most likely destination.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Lovelace Health System also operate in Albuquerque and have wound care programs. These systems serve a significant portion of the Albuquerque metro population and may have on-site hyperbaric chambers or refer to UNM Health for more complex cases.

Santa Fe, while the state capital, is a relatively small city without a major academic medical center. Patients there often travel the 60 miles to Albuquerque for specialized wound care services.

The best starting point: use the UHMS provider search at uhms.org.

Browse our full provider directory.

Major Areas in New Mexico Where HBOT Is Available

Albuquerque is the clear center of hyperbaric care in New Mexico. UNM Health, Presbyterian, and Lovelace all operate there, and the city has enough hospital infrastructure to support on-site hyperbaric services. This is the destination for nearly all HBOT referrals in the state.

Santa Fe is 60 miles north of Albuquerque. Patients here are close enough to make the drive for a treatment course. Some hospital systems in Santa Fe may have limited wound care services, but for HBOT specifically, expect to be referred to Albuquerque.

Las Cruces in southern New Mexico has MountainView Regional Medical Center and Memorial Medical Center. Las Cruces is the second-largest city in the state, and patients in that region — southern New Mexico and the El Paso, Texas border area — may find that El Paso’s hospital systems are also geographically accessible.

Rural New Mexico — the Navajo Nation, northeastern New Mexico, the Estancia Valley — has very limited access. Patients in these areas are almost always referred to Albuquerque. Travel assistance programs through the Indian Health Service or New Mexico Medicaid may help with transportation costs.

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?

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

Insurance Coverage for HBOT in New Mexico

Coverage for HBOT in New Mexico follows national standards.

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. Rates change annually — verify current figures with your facility’s billing team.

New Mexico Medicaid (Centennial Care) coverage varies by condition and managed care plan. Centennial Care uses managed care organizations to administer most Medicaid benefits. Contact the facility’s billing department and your Centennial Care plan to confirm coverage before scheduling.

Commercial insurers generally follow Medicare coverage criteria. Prior authorization is almost always required. Rural patients traveling to Albuquerque should confirm their plan covers that specific facility before the first session.

Off-label uses are not covered by any insurance in New Mexico or anywhere else.

Check our full guide: Does Insurance Cover HBOT?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in New Mexico? The UHMS maintains a searchable provider directory at uhms.org. Search by your zip code. Hospital-based wound care centers in Albuquerque are a good starting point. UNM Health is the state’s primary academic referral center.

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

What are my options if I live in rural New Mexico? New Mexico has large rural and frontier areas without local hyperbaric services. Patients in these areas are almost always referred to Albuquerque. Ask your primary care physician or wound care specialist to arrange a referral to UNM Health or a hospital-affiliated wound center in Albuquerque.

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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.