Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Lehigh Valley — Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton — is Pennsylvania’s third-largest metro, and its healthcare infrastructure has grown to match. Two major health systems compete here, and both run real wound care programs. Allentown is also close enough to Philadelphia that some patients consider making that trip for complex cases, though local options are worth checking first.

Finding HBOT Providers in Allentown

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is the dominant health system in the region. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown is the flagship, a Level I trauma center and the most complex hospital in the system. LVHN operates wound care services across multiple locations in the Lehigh Valley, and the Cedar Crest campus is the most likely location for a hospital-based hyperbaric program given its trauma and academic medicine depth.

St. Luke’s University Health Network covers the eastern part of the Lehigh Valley, with St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill (Bethlehem) as its flagship. St. Luke’s is a Level II trauma center and has expanded aggressively across the region over the past decade. Their wound care program is active, and some St. Luke’s locations include hyperbaric capabilities.

For most patients in the Allentown metro, the choice between LVHN and St. Luke’s comes down to insurance network and geography. If your insurer covers both, ask your physician which program has more experience with your specific condition.

The UHMS provider directory lists accredited programs and is the most reliable way to confirm which facilities currently have active hyperbaric programs. Our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic helps you know what to ask before you commit.

Philadelphia is about 60 miles south. For patients with highly complex cases — or those whose Lehigh Valley specialist recommends it — Penn Medicine and Jefferson Health are reachable. But that’s a real trip for daily HBOT sessions, and most Lehigh Valley insurance plans are primarily networked to LVHN and St. Luke’s. Check before you assume Philadelphia is an option.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Allentown

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at Medicare-approved hospital outpatient facilities for FDA-approved conditions. LVHN Cedar Crest and St. Luke’s University Hospital are major health system hospitals and Medicare-approved. Physician documentation of medical necessity and prior treatment failure is required for wound care authorization.

Pennsylvania Medicaid (Medical Assistance) coverage for HBOT applies to qualifying beneficiaries. In Lehigh and Northampton counties, Medicaid managed care plans include Keystone First, Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania, and UPMC for You. Contact your specific plan to confirm HBOT coverage and which Lehigh Valley facilities are in-network.

Highmark is a major commercial insurer in the Lehigh Valley, and LVHN and St. Luke’s both have Highmark contracts. Capital BlueCross also operates in the region. These plans generally follow Medicare’s FDA-approved criteria for HBOT coverage, with prior authorization required.

National plans from Aetna, United, and Cigna cover most major Lehigh Valley hospital locations. If you’re on a national plan, confirm network status for the specific hospital where the hyperbaric program is located — not just the health system as a whole.

Off-label HBOT isn’t covered. See our insurance guide and cost guide for what out-of-pocket treatment costs in this region.

What to Expect at Your First Session

HBOT at a Lehigh Valley hospital program follows the same protocol as any hospital-based program: 90 minutes to two hours in a pressurized chamber, breathing pure oxygen, five sessions per week for most wound care courses. The pressure change at the start is mild and brief.

One note specific to the Lehigh Valley: LVHN has multiple campuses, and wound care services are distributed across them. The hyperbaric chamber may not be at the closest LVHN location to your home. When your referral goes through, ask specifically which campus has the hyperbaric program so you can plan your daily transportation.

Our first session guide covers the practical details from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LVHN Cedar Crest have a hyperbaric oxygen program? LVHN operates wound care services, and Cedar Crest’s Level I trauma status makes it the system’s most capable location for complex cases. Confirm whether a specific hyperbaric program is currently active by calling LVHN’s wound care center directly or checking the UHMS provider directory.

Is it worth traveling to Philadelphia for HBOT instead of staying in the Lehigh Valley? For most patients, no. The Lehigh Valley has solid health system infrastructure, and daily travel to Philadelphia for 20 to 40 HBOT sessions isn’t practical for most people. The exception would be a highly complex case where a Philadelphia academic center offers specialist depth that isn’t available locally. Ask your physician whether there’s a clinical reason to consider Philadelphia.

What commercial insurance plans work best at Lehigh Valley hospitals? Highmark, Capital BlueCross, and the major national carriers (Aetna, United, Cigna) all have network agreements with LVHN and St. Luke’s. LVHN also has its own physician network. If you’re comparing plan options during open enrollment and HBOT is a concern, confirm that your chosen plan has in-network access to both hospital systems.

See more providers in Pennsylvania: /providers/pennsylvania/

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.