Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Columbia, SC

Columbia is South Carolina’s state capital and home to the state’s largest academic medical center. The presence of Fort Jackson, one of the Army’s main basic training installations, also means Columbia sees a veteran and military population with specific healthcare access patterns.

Finding HBOT Providers in Columbia

Prisma Health Richland is the academic medical center serving Columbia, affiliated with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Academic affiliates typically operate more complex specialty programs, including wound care, than community hospitals. Lexington Medical Center serves the suburban Lexington County area, about 12 miles west of downtown Columbia.

The Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia serves veterans across central South Carolina. Veterans with FDA-approved HBOT indications should contact their VA primary care team to determine what’s available through VA care or through the community care program.

To verify current accreditation at any civilian facility, use the UHMS directory at uhms.org. Your physician or wound care specialist can also refer you directly into a program.

Ask any center you contact whether a board-certified hyperbaric physician is on staff. Our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic explains what that means and what else to look for.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Columbia

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions. In Columbia’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 radiation tissue damage from prostate, head and neck, or other cancer treatment.

Veterans with service-connected conditions may qualify for VA-covered HBOT. Contact the Dorn VA or your VA primary care team to confirm eligibility.

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

Medicare reimbursement rates change annually. Don’t use any online figure as a guarantee of your costs. Verify current amounts with your provider’s billing team before starting a course of treatment.

See our insurance guide and cost guide for full detail.

What to Expect at Your First Session

Hospital-based HBOT in Columbia starts with a physician evaluation before your first treatment. The hyperbaric physician reviews your diagnosis, medications, and relevant medical history. For patients with multiple chronic conditions, that evaluation may be more thorough. Some medications interact with pressurized oxygen.

Sessions inside the chamber run 90 minutes to two hours at 2.0 to 2.4 atmospheres for most medical indications. A full treatment course is typically 20 to 40 sessions, five days per week. Most patients drive themselves without activity restrictions between sessions.

For VA patients, the process follows VA protocols. Your primary care manager coordinates specialty referrals, and community care authorization may be required if HBOT isn’t available at the Dorn VA directly.

Read our first session guide before your first appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fort Jackson affect healthcare access in Columbia?

Fort Jackson is a major Army installation and training center. Active-duty personnel and their families receive care through Moncrief Army Health Clinic or civilian networks depending on TRICARE plan. Veterans who trained at Fort Jackson and settled in Columbia may qualify for VA care through the Dorn VA.

Is Prisma Health Richland the right choice for complex wound cases?

Prisma Health Richland is the most academically connected hospital in Columbia. For complex cases involving multiple comorbidities or wounds that haven’t responded to other treatments, an academic medical center affiliate tends to have more subspecialty support. That said, your insurance network and referral path matter as much as institutional reputation.

What about patients in Lexington County — do they have local HBOT options?

Lexington Medical Center is a major community hospital in Lexington County. Whether they operate a current hyperbaric program is something to confirm directly or through the UHMS directory. Lexington County patients can also access Columbia facilities, which are 10 to 20 minutes away depending on location.

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.