Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city and the medical hub for a wide region spanning western Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas. Two strong regional health systems operate here, giving local patients and those who travel in from rural areas reasonable access to hospital-based wound care.

Finding HBOT Providers in Fargo

Sanford Health and Essentia Health are the two major systems in Fargo. Both operate regional networks that extend well beyond the city, and both run wound care programs.

Essentia Health has a particular cross-border presence, operating on both the North Dakota and Minnesota sides of the Fargo-Moorhead metro. Patients from Moorhead or rural western Minnesota may already be established Essentia patients, which can simplify the referral process.

Sanford runs one of the largest rural health networks in the country, with facilities stretching across North and South Dakota and into Minnesota. For patients traveling from rural North Dakota, Fargo’s Sanford facilities are often the designated regional destination for specialty wound care.

Confirm current HBOT availability through the UHMS provider directory before scheduling. Accredited programs meet established standards for equipment, staffing, and safety protocols. A direct call to either system’s wound care department is also a fast way to confirm whether hyperbaric chambers are currently in service.

Our guide to choosing an HBOT clinic covers what to ask any facility before committing.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Fargo

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT for FDA-approved conditions in North Dakota the same as anywhere in the country. Covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers that haven’t healed with conventional wound care, radiation tissue injuries like osteoradionecrosis, gas gangrene, and arterial insufficiency wounds. A physician referral and documentation of prior treatment failure are required.

Reimbursement rates are set annually and change year to year. Verify the current rate with Sanford or Essentia’s billing department rather than relying on any published figure.

North Dakota Medicaid has its own covered indications and prior authorization process. For patients from Minnesota who travel to Fargo, Minnesota Medicaid still governs your coverage, not North Dakota Medicaid. Call your state’s Medicaid program to check whether Fargo facilities are covered for out-of-state treatment.

Commercial insurers will determine in-network status based on your plan. Both Sanford and Essentia participate in many regional networks, but out-of-network costs at either system can be significant. Confirm network status with your insurer before scheduling.

Off-label uses — HBOT for traumatic brain injury, long COVID, autism, or other investigational conditions — are not covered by any insurer. Those require out-of-pocket payment.

Our insurance guide and cost guide have more detail.

What to Expect at Your First Session

Hospital wound care programs start with a physician evaluation before the first hyperbaric session. The hyperbaric doctor will review your records, screen for contraindications, and set a treatment schedule with your referring provider. You’ll need to wear 100% cotton clothing and leave electronics, synthetic fabrics, and flammable items outside the chamber.

Sessions run 90 minutes to two hours. You breathe pure oxygen at elevated atmospheric pressure. Mild ear pressure during pressurization is the most common complaint, and staff will show you equalization techniques before you begin. Serious complications are rare at accredited programs.

The first session guide has a full walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fargo the main option for HBOT in North Dakota? Fargo is the largest city and has the most developed medical infrastructure in the state. Bismarck, about 3 hours west, also has wound care programs through Sanford Health and CHI St. Alexius. For patients in western or central North Dakota, Bismarck may be closer. Rural patients in far western ND sometimes travel to both.

How do I find out if my North Dakota physician can refer me to Fargo for HBOT? Ask your primary care doctor or specialist directly. Sanford’s regional network means many North Dakota physicians already refer within the Sanford system. Essentia operates similarly for patients in the northern and eastern parts of the state.

What does HBOT cost without insurance in Fargo? Self-pay rates at hospital programs typically run $250 to $450 per session. A full course of 20 to 40 sessions puts total out-of-pocket costs between $5,000 and $18,000. Ask for a written fee schedule and ask about financial assistance before starting treatment.

See more providers in North Dakota: North Dakota HBOT Providers

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.