Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Charleston, SC

Charleston is home to MUSC Health, the Medical University of South Carolina, which is the state’s flagship academic medical center. For hyperbaric medicine, that’s significant. Academic medical centers have subspecialty depth that community hospitals can’t match, and complex wound and radiation injury cases benefit from that support structure.

Finding HBOT Providers in Charleston

MUSC Health is the primary academic medical center for the state of South Carolina. It operates a full range of specialty and subspecialty programs. For hyperbaric medicine, MUSC is the natural first inquiry for Charleston patients with complex or medically supervised HBOT needs.

Charleston’s coastal location also means some exposure to dive-related injuries. MUSC’s emergency capabilities and specialized staff make it the appropriate destination for dive emergencies in the region.

To verify current hyperbaric program accreditation, use the UHMS directory at uhms.org. Your physician can also make a direct referral to MUSC’s wound care or hyperbaric program.

Ask about board certification in undersea and hyperbaric medicine when you contact a center. That credential is specific to the specialty and confirms dedicated training. Our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic explains what else to ask.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Charleston

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions. In Charleston’s patient population, common covered indications include diabetic foot ulcers that haven’t responded to standard wound care, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, compromised skin grafts and flaps, and radiation tissue injury from head and neck, prostate, or other cancer treatment.

Decompression sickness from diving is also an FDA-approved and Medicare-covered indication when it occurs and is medically necessary. Coverage depends on documentation.

South Carolina Medicaid coverage depends on your managed care plan. Contact your plan to confirm benefits and prior authorization requirements. Commercial insurers follow Medicare’s criteria and require prior authorization for FDA-approved indications.

MUSC participates with Medicare, but reimbursement rates change annually. Confirm current amounts with MUSC’s billing department before starting treatment.

Our insurance guide and cost guide cover these rules in full.

What to Expect at Your First Session

MUSC operates as an academic medical center, so the intake process is typically thorough. Before any treatment begins, a hyperbaric physician reviews your diagnosis, all current medications, and relevant medical history. If you’ve been treated elsewhere, sending records in advance helps move the evaluation along.

Sessions run 90 minutes to two hours inside the chamber at 2.0 to 2.4 atmospheres for most medical indications. A standard treatment course is 20 to 40 sessions, five days per week. Most patients drive themselves and maintain normal activity between sessions.

For diving emergencies, the process is different. Decompression sickness requires immediate treatment. Call 911 and DAN (1-919-684-9111) first. Emergency hyperbaric treatment is not a scheduled appointment.

Read our first session guide before your first planned session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does MUSC accept referrals from physicians outside Charleston?

Yes. MUSC serves patients from across South Carolina and accepts referrals from physicians statewide. For specialty care including hyperbaric medicine, your physician can submit a referral to MUSC’s specialty scheduling system.

What makes MUSC different from a community wound care center?

MUSC is the state’s only academic medical center at the university level. It has subspecialties on site that community centers typically don’t, including vascular surgery, infectious disease, and oncology, all of which may be involved in complex wound cases. For straightforward cases, a community center may be equally effective with shorter wait times.

Is Charleston a good location for dive injury treatment in South Carolina?

Charleston is one of the better-positioned South Carolina cities for dive injury care given MUSC’s resources. That said, decompression sickness is time-sensitive. DAN’s emergency line (1-919-684-9111) can locate the nearest available chamber statewide. Don’t drive past a closer option to reach a preferred facility in an emergency.

See more providers in South Carolina: /providers/south-carolina/

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.