Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is Western New York’s regional medical hub. The city has two major health systems, a strong academic medicine connection through the University at Buffalo, and a patient population with real demand for wound care services. For patients in Erie and Niagara counties, Buffalo is where complex medical care happens.

Finding HBOT Providers in Buffalo

Kaleida Health is Buffalo’s largest health system. Buffalo General Medical Center — a Level I trauma center and the flagship Kaleida facility — is the most likely location for a hospital-based hyperbaric program in the area. Kaleida is affiliated with the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which brings academic medicine depth to the system. UB-affiliated physicians work within Kaleida, and wound care programs at Buffalo General benefit from that academic connection.

Catholic Health operates several hospitals in the Buffalo area, including Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and Sisters of Charity Hospital. Catholic Health’s wound care services cover a different geography from Kaleida’s, and the right facility for you may depend on which side of the city you’re coming from and which health system your insurer covers.

The UHMS provider directory is the definitive list of accredited programs. Search by zip code to find what’s closest and confirm accreditation status before calling. Our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic walks through what to ask once you have a list.

Buffalo is also close enough to Rochester that some patients with complex cases are willing to travel to the University of Rochester Medical Center, which has a strong academic medicine program. If your case is complicated, ask your referring physician whether Rochester is worth considering.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Buffalo

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at Medicare-approved hospital outpatient facilities in Buffalo for FDA-approved conditions. Both Kaleida and Catholic Health facilities are major health system hospitals and Medicare-approved. Prior authorization and physician documentation of medical necessity are required for wound care cases.

New York Medicaid coverage for HBOT applies to qualifying beneficiaries. In Western New York, managed care plans through Fidelis Care, Independent Health, and BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York administer Medicaid benefits. Contact your specific managed care plan to confirm HBOT coverage and authorization requirements.

Independent Health is a locally based insurer with strong market penetration in the Buffalo region. If you have an Independent Health commercial plan, verify whether HBOT is covered for your condition and which facilities are in-network. Local plans sometimes have tighter network restrictions than national carriers.

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Univera Healthcare, and other commercial carriers in the region generally follow Medicare’s FDA-approved criteria for HBOT coverage. Prior authorization is standard.

Off-label HBOT isn’t covered by any payer. See our insurance guide and cost guide for out-of-pocket ranges.

What to Expect at Your First Session

HBOT at a hospital-based program in Buffalo works the same as anywhere in the country. You’ll lie in a pressurized chamber and breathe pure oxygen for 90 minutes to two hours per session. The pressure change at the beginning of the session is the main physical sensation — most patients describe it as similar to a plane descent.

Treatment courses for wound care typically run 20 to 40 sessions, five days a week. Plan your schedule and transportation accordingly, especially in winter. Buffalo winters are real, and daily HBOT appointments during a snowstorm require some logistics planning.

Our first session guide covers what to wear, what to tell your care team, and what to expect from a full course of therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go to Kaleida Health or Catholic Health for HBOT in Buffalo? Start with your insurance network. If both systems are in-network, ask your referring physician where they have established relationships or where the program has the most experience with your specific condition. For complex wound cases, Buffalo General Medical Center’s academic medicine affiliation may be an advantage.

Can patients from Niagara Falls or other nearby cities access Buffalo HBOT programs? Yes. Buffalo is the regional hub for Western New York, and patients travel from Niagara Falls, Lockport, Tonawanda, and other nearby communities for specialist care. If you’re coming from outside Buffalo, confirm that your insurer covers the facility you’re considering and check parking or transit options before your first session.

Does UB’s academic affiliation mean there are HBOT clinical trials in Buffalo? Potentially. Academic medical centers sometimes have active research protocols, and UB’s affiliation with Kaleida means there’s a path for that. Ask the wound care or hyperbaric medicine department at Buffalo General whether any trials are currently enrolling for your condition.

See more providers in New York: /providers/new-york/

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.