Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Rochester, New York

Rochester sits between Buffalo to the west and Syracuse to the east, and it punches above its size in academic medicine. The University of Rochester Medical Center is a nationally regarded research institution, and that shapes what’s available in this mid-size city. For patients in Monroe County and the surrounding Finger Lakes region, Rochester is where specialist wound care happens.

Finding HBOT Providers in Rochester

The University of Rochester Medical Center anchors medical care in Rochester. Strong Memorial Hospital, URMC’s flagship, is a Level I trauma center and the academic hub for the region. For complex wound care cases — radiation injury, difficult diabetic wounds, compromised grafts — a URMC-affiliated program has the specialist depth to manage the full picture.

Rochester Regional Health is the other major system in the area. With multiple hospitals and dozens of outpatient locations across the region, Rochester Regional handles a high volume of primary and specialist care. Their wound care services cover patients across Monroe, Ontario, and surrounding counties.

When you’re looking for HBOT specifically, don’t search for “hyperbaric chamber” on a hospital website. Look for the wound care center or hyperbaric medicine department. Those are the departments that house these programs. Call directly and ask whether HBOT is offered and what conditions they treat.

The UHMS provider directory is the most reliable way to confirm which programs near Rochester are currently accredited. Accreditation means the program has passed an independent review of safety protocols, equipment, and staff training. Before calling any facility, read our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic so you know what to ask.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Rochester

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at Medicare-approved hospital outpatient facilities in Rochester for FDA-approved conditions. URMC and Rochester Regional Health facilities are major health system hospitals and Medicare-approved. Your physician must document medical necessity and prior treatment history before Medicare authorizes HBOT for wound care.

New York Medicaid coverage for HBOT applies to eligible beneficiaries in the Rochester region. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, which is headquartered in Rochester, is one of the dominant commercial and managed care plans in the area. If you have an Excellus plan, check their HBOT coverage policy and which facilities are in-network. Local plans can have regional network restrictions.

Fidelis Care and other Medicaid managed care plans operating in Monroe County handle prior authorization for HBOT through their standard utilization management process. Start that process early — authorization can take time, and you don’t want to delay a wound care course while paperwork moves.

Commercial plans from Aetna, United, and other national carriers generally follow Medicare’s FDA-approved criteria. Out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan’s deductible and coinsurance structure. See our insurance guide and cost guide for what to expect.

Off-label HBOT isn’t covered. If you’re interested in HBOT for a condition that’s not on the FDA-approved list, expect to pay out of pocket.

What to Expect at Your First Session

A typical HBOT session at a hospital program in Rochester runs 90 minutes to two hours. You’ll lie in a pressurized chamber and breathe pure oxygen. The pressure change at the start of the session is mild — similar to flying or driving through elevation changes. Staff stay in contact with you the entire time.

For wound care protocols, sessions are typically scheduled five days a week over several weeks. That’s a significant time commitment. Plan your schedule before you start, including how you’ll get to appointments if you have mobility limitations from the wound you’re treating.

Our first session guide covers the full intake process and what to expect across a course of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is URMC or Rochester Regional better for HBOT in Rochester? For complex cases — radiation necrosis, non-healing wounds that have failed multiple prior treatments, conditions requiring specialist co-management — URMC’s academic depth may be the better fit. For more straightforward wound care cases, Rochester Regional’s network of locations may be more convenient. Your referring physician’s recommendation and your insurance network should guide the decision.

Can patients from the Finger Lakes region access Rochester HBOT programs? Yes. Rochester is the regional hub, and patients travel from Canandaigua, Geneva, Batavia, and surrounding communities for specialist care. Both URMC and Rochester Regional have multiple locations across the region, so some wound care services may be available closer to home even if the hyperbaric program specifically requires a Rochester visit.

What’s the difference between an academic hyperbaric program and a standalone clinic? Academic programs like those at URMC are staffed by physicians trained in hyperbaric medicine, often with wound care specialists, vascular surgeons, and other specialists involved in complex cases. Standalone clinics typically use lower-pressure chambers for wellness applications and aren’t equipped to manage complex medical cases. For FDA-approved indications, a hospital-based program is the right setting.

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.