Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Providence, RI?

Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital) and Care New England serve Providence and the surrounding area. Rhode Island Hospital is the state's only Level I trauma center and the teaching hospital for the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Use the UHMS provider directory to find currently accredited hyperbaric facilities in Rhode Island.

Does Medicare cover HBOT in Providence?

Medicare covers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 14 FDA-approved conditions at any Medicare-participating facility. Coverage is federal and applies the same way in Providence as across New England. After your annual deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the approved outpatient rate. Rates change annually — verify current amounts with your facility's billing team.

Do Rhode Island HBOT patients need to travel to Boston for care?

Providence's health systems handle most standard HBOT indications locally. Rhode Island is a small state — essentially all of it is within driving distance of Providence's academic medical centers. For the most complex cases, some patients are referred to Boston, which is about 50 miles north.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Providence, RI

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and the state’s only real medical hub. Lifespan and Care New England — the two dominant health systems — both operate hospitals affiliated with Brown University’s medical school. For clinical HBOT, Rhode Island patients almost always start in Providence.

Finding HBOT Providers in Providence

Lifespan operates Rhode Island Hospital, the state’s only Level I trauma center and a teaching hospital for the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Miriam Hospital is also part of Lifespan and serves the greater Providence area.

Care New England operates Women and Infants Hospital and Kent Hospital (in Warwick, just south of Providence), serving a broad swath of the state.

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country by area. From any point in Rhode Island, Providence’s academic medical centers are within a reasonable driving distance. For standard wound care HBOT, there’s typically no need to travel to Boston. Complex or unusual cases may be referred to Mass General Brigham or other Boston academic centers.

Access to clinical HBOT starts with a physician referral. Your primary care doctor, podiatrist, vascular surgeon, or oncologist can initiate a wound care consultation.

Find accredited facilities in Providence and across Rhode Island using the UHMS provider directory. Our guide to choosing an HBOT clinic explains what to look for.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Providence

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at outpatient Medicare-participating facilities. Coverage is federal — it works the same in Providence as anywhere in New England. After your annual deductible, Medicare generally pays 80% of the approved rate. Reimbursement rates change annually — ask your facility’s billing team for the current figures.

Rhode Island Medicaid (Medicaid Managed Care) may cover HBOT for qualifying conditions. Prior authorization is typically required. Contact Rhode Island Medicaid or the hospital’s financial counselors before scheduling treatment.

Commercial insurers in Rhode Island — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Tufts Health Plan, United Healthcare, Aetna, and others — generally align HBOT coverage with Medicare’s approved indications. Written prior authorization is standard. Off-label HBOT is not covered.

Investigational HBOT paid out of pocket runs $200 to $450 per session. See our insurance guide and cost guide for a full breakdown.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, or another Providence-area program, your first appointment is a clinical evaluation. The wound care team will review your health history, examine the affected area, and determine whether HBOT is appropriate. Bring a full medication list — some drugs interact with high-pressure oxygen.

Sessions run 90 to 120 minutes. You’ll breathe pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber at two to three times normal atmospheric pressure. Mild ear pressure during pressurization is normal and easy to manage. Clinical staff are present throughout.

Most wound care courses run 20 to 40 sessions scheduled five days a week. Your progress is tracked, and the protocol adjusts as needed.

Our first session guide walks through everything from arrival to discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brown University medical training affect the quality of HBOT in Providence? Both Lifespan and Care New England are affiliated with the Warren Alpert Medical School. That means care is provided in an academic environment where evidence-based protocols are the standard. Wound care physicians at these facilities are typically trained in hyperbaric medicine.

What if I’m in southern Rhode Island — do I still use Providence for HBOT? Southern Rhode Island (South Kingstown, Narragansett, Westerly) is 25 to 35 miles from Providence’s academic medical centers. For a daily treatment course, that’s a manageable commute for most patients. Ask your physician whether there are closer outpatient wound care options in your area.

Can I get HBOT in Providence for carbon monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide poisoning is an FDA-approved indication for HBOT. It’s also a medical emergency. Go to the nearest emergency department immediately — don’t drive yourself. Rhode Island Hospital, as the state’s Level I trauma center, is equipped to treat acute CO poisoning with emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

See more providers in Rhode Island: /providers/rhode-island/

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.