Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in New York City, New York

New York City has more top-tier hyperbaric medicine programs than almost any other metro in the country. That’s partly a function of size — NYC’s hospital systems are enormous — and partly a function of the concentration of complex wound care cases that large urban medical centers handle. If you need medical-grade HBOT and you’re in New York, you have real options.

Finding HBOT Providers in New York City

Four major health systems dominate academic medicine in NYC, and all of them run complex wound care services that include hyperbaric programs:

NYU Langone Health has a nationally recognized wound care and hyperbaric medicine program. It’s one of the largest programs in the region by volume.

NewYork-Presbyterian is a dual-campus academic medical center affiliated with both Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medicine. Both campuses have wound care capabilities.

Mount Sinai Health System operates across Manhattan and the outer boroughs. Mount Sinai’s wound care program handles a high volume of diabetic foot and vascular wound cases.

Northwell Health is the largest health system in New York state, with hospitals across the city and suburbs. Several Northwell facilities run wound care and hyperbaric programs.

There are also standalone wellness clinics throughout the city, particularly in Manhattan. These are not the same as hospital-based medical programs. Wellness clinics typically use mild-pressure chambers at around 1.3 ATA — lower than the 2.0 to 2.4 ATA used for FDA-approved medical indications. They market to athletes, executives, and longevity-focused patients. Medicare won’t cover their sessions.

If you have a medical condition that qualifies for HBOT, go to a hospital-based program. The UHMS provider directory lists accredited programs by location. Our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic explains the right questions to ask before you schedule.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in New York City

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at Medicare-approved hospital outpatient departments in NYC for FDA-approved conditions. The major health systems — NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, Northwell — are all Medicare-approved. Your physician needs to document your condition and prior treatment history before Medicare will authorize HBOT. Session reimbursement rates change annually, so verify your specific cost-sharing with the billing department at your facility rather than relying on published estimates.

New York Medicaid may cover HBOT for qualifying beneficiaries. New York’s Medicaid program is one of the more generous in the country, but prior authorization is still required and the process takes time. Start the authorization request as soon as your physician recommends treatment.

Commercial insurers serving NYC — Empire BlueCross BlueShield, United, Aetna, Cigna, and others — generally follow Medicare’s FDA-approved criteria. Given the high cost of living and medical complexity in NYC, some plans have additional documentation requirements. Get everything in writing before your first session.

Off-label HBOT at wellness clinics is entirely out of pocket. Prices in Manhattan can run $200 to $600 per session depending on the clinic. That’s for mild-pressure sessions that aren’t covered by any payer. See our insurance guide and cost guide for a full breakdown of what medical-grade HBOT costs versus wellness sessions.

What to Expect at Your First Session

Hospital-based HBOT in NYC follows the same protocol as anywhere else. You’ll spend 90 minutes to two hours in a pressurized chamber, breathing pure oxygen. The pressure change at the start feels like a mild ear pop. Staff stay in contact throughout.

The main NYC-specific note is logistics. Hospital parking in Manhattan is expensive and sometimes unavailable. Plan your transit ahead of time, especially for daily treatment over multiple weeks. Some patients find it easier to schedule early morning sessions before peak traffic.

Our first session guide walks through what to expect from intake to discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between NYU Langone, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, and Northwell for HBOT? Start with your insurance network. Your plan may cover some systems but not others. After that, ask your referring physician where they have admitting privileges or established relationships. For very complex cases, ask which program handles the highest volume for your specific condition.

Will my NYC commercial plan cover HBOT at an out-of-network hospital? Possibly, but at a higher cost-share. Out-of-network coverage varies widely by plan. For a treatment that runs 20 to 40 sessions, the cost difference between in-network and out-of-network adds up fast. Stay in-network unless there’s a strong clinical reason not to.

Are the mild-pressure wellness chambers in Manhattan effective for medical conditions? The pressure levels used in wellness chambers (around 1.3 ATA) are lower than those used in FDA-approved medical protocols. Research on medical HBOT is conducted at higher pressures. If you have a condition that qualifies for medical HBOT, a hospital program at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA is the appropriate treatment setting, not a wellness clinic.

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.