Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Columbus, OH

Columbus is Ohio’s largest city and its state capital, and it has the healthcare infrastructure to match. Two major systems dominate the HBOT market here: a large community hospital network and one of the Midwest’s leading academic medical centers. Patients with complex diagnoses and those with straightforward wound care needs both have solid options.

Finding HBOT Providers in Columbus

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is the flagship academic system in Columbus. Its wound care and hyperbaric medicine programs handle a wide range of conditions, including complex radiation injuries, rare infections, and difficult non-healing wounds. As a teaching hospital with active clinical research, OSU Wexner is often the referral destination for cases that community programs can’t manage.

OhioHealth operates a network of community hospitals across the Columbus area. These programs handle the majority of routine wound care and HBOT referrals in the metro, and they’re often more accessible for patients who don’t need academic-level resources. Multiple campuses mean that depending on where you live in the Columbus area, you may have an OhioHealth program closer to home.

The Columbus market also has standalone wellness HBOT clinics offering mild-pressure sessions outside of a hospital setting. These aren’t appropriate for treating medical conditions and aren’t covered by insurance, but some patients use them for recovery purposes.

Use the UHMS provider directory to find accredited facilities in Columbus. Accreditation matters. A UHMS-accredited program has met peer-reviewed standards for safety and clinical practice. Before you choose a facility, read our guide to choosing a clinic.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Columbus

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at a Medicare-certified hospital outpatient facility for a defined list of FDA-approved conditions. Diabetic foot ulcers, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, delayed radiation injury, arterial insufficiency ulcers, and gas gangrene are among the covered indications. The treating physician must document medical necessity, and treatment must take place in a certified facility.

Ohio Medicaid coverage for HBOT is limited. Prior authorization is required for covered indications, and not all managed care plans in Ohio handle HBOT the same way. Contact your plan directly before assuming coverage.

Commercial insurers in Columbus, including Medical Mutual of Ohio, Anthem, and UnitedHealthcare, may cover HBOT for FDA-approved conditions with prior authorization and documentation of medical necessity. Off-label uses, including HBOT for traumatic brain injury, long COVID, or autism, are not covered by any major insurer and require out-of-pocket payment.

Medicare rates change annually. Verify current figures with your facility’s billing team rather than relying on outdated online estimates. For a full breakdown of costs and coverage, see our insurance guide and cost guide.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At a Columbus hospital program, your first appointment will usually be a consultation with a hyperbaric medicine physician. They’ll review your medical records, confirm your diagnosis qualifies, and evaluate your fitness for pressurized treatment. The chamber session itself runs about 90 minutes. You’ll breathe 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, and the pressure changes during compression and decompression produce an ear-popping sensation similar to flying.

For a complete first-session walkthrough, including what to eat beforehand, what to wear, and what side effects to expect, see our first session guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I go to OSU Wexner versus an OhioHealth program? For routine wound care like diabetic foot ulcers or straightforward radiation injury, either system should be appropriate. OSU Wexner is typically the better fit for complex or unusual cases, patients enrolled in clinical trials, or situations where multiple specialists need to coordinate. Your referring physician can help determine which program is right for your situation.

Does Columbus have wellness HBOT clinics separate from hospitals? Yes. Several standalone clinics in the Columbus metro offer mild-pressure HBOT sessions. These run at around 1.3 ATA, don’t require a physician referral, and are paid out of pocket. They’re not appropriate for treating FDA-approved conditions and don’t offer the clinical oversight of a hospital program.

How many sessions will I need? It depends on your diagnosis and how you respond to treatment. Medicare-approved wound care protocols typically run 20 to 40 sessions. Your physician will evaluate progress throughout and adjust the plan.

See more providers in Ohio: Ohio 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.