Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Nashville, TN
Find HBOT providers in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt, TriStar, and HCA facilities. Medicare and insurance coverage explained for Nashville patients.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Nashville, TN
Nashville is one of the strongest markets for hospital-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the Southeast. The city is home to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the country’s top academic medical centers, plus a dense network of HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health hospitals. That concentration of large health systems means Nashville patients have more access to accredited HBOT programs than most mid-sized cities.
Finding HBOT Providers in Nashville
Don’t search by name. Search by accreditation.
The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) maintains the only nationally recognized accreditation program for hyperbaric facilities. Their provider directory at uhms.org/find-a-hyperbaric-facility.html lists accredited programs only. That’s your starting point.
In Nashville, hospital-based wound care centers are the most common setting for HBOT. These operate inside or adjacent to major hospital campuses and are staffed by physicians with hyperbaric medicine training. Vanderbilt University Medical Center runs a comprehensive wound care program that handles complex and referred cases from across Middle Tennessee and neighboring states.
HCA Healthcare, which is headquartered in Nashville, operates TriStar Health facilities throughout the metro. Several of these have wound care programs. Use the UHMS directory to confirm which facilities are accredited before calling.
Standalone or freestanding hyperbaric clinics also exist in Nashville. Some are legitimate medical operations. Others market wellness or anti-aging uses of HBOT at mild pressures, which is not the same as medical-grade treatment. If your condition is FDA-approved, stick to hospital-based or UHMS-accredited programs. Read our guide to choosing a clinic before making calls.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Nashville
Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions when treatment happens at a hospital outpatient facility. The 14 covered conditions include diabetic wounds that haven’t responded to standard care, radiation tissue damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, arterial insufficiency ulcers, and others. Coverage rules are federal, so Nashville patients follow the same rules as patients in any other state.
Reimbursement rates change annually. Don’t rely on any figure you read online, including on this page. Verify current rates with your facility’s billing team before your first session.
TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, may cover HBOT for qualifying patients. Coverage depends on your TennCare plan and the specific condition being treated. Ask the facility’s billing coordinator to run a prior authorization check before scheduling.
Commercial insurers with a large presence in Nashville include BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. These plans generally follow Medicare criteria for HBOT. Prior authorization is required. Off-label uses, including treatment for long COVID, traumatic brain injury, autism, or anti-aging purposes, won’t be covered by any of these plans.
See our insurance guide for a full walkthrough of how prior authorization works. Our cost guide covers what Nashville patients typically pay out of pocket per session and across a full treatment course.
What to Expect at Your First Session
Your first HBOT session will include an intake evaluation before you ever enter the chamber. The hyperbaric physician or a trained nurse will review your medical history, check for contraindications, and explain the procedure.
Inside the chamber, you’ll breathe 100% oxygen while pressure rises gradually to the prescribed level, typically 2.0 to 2.4 ATA for most medical conditions. The pressurization takes about 10 minutes. Then you breathe at that pressure for 90 minutes. Depressurization takes another 10 minutes or so.
The most common sensation is pressure in your ears, similar to descending on an airplane. Staff will show you how to equalize before your session starts.
Read our full first session guide for a complete walkthrough of what happens at intake, during treatment, and after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Nashville?
Nashville’s major academic medical center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, operates wound care programs that include hyperbaric services. HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health facilities throughout the metro area also offer hospital-based HBOT. Use the UHMS provider directory at uhms.org to find accredited facilities near you.
Does Medicare cover HBOT in Nashville?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at hospital outpatient facilities. The rules are federal and apply the same way in Nashville as anywhere else in the country. Off-label uses are not covered. Reimbursement rates change annually, so verify current amounts with your facility’s billing team.
How long does a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session take in Nashville?
A standard HBOT session runs about 90 to 120 minutes from the time you arrive. The pressurized treatment itself is typically 90 minutes at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA. Most FDA-approved conditions require 20 to 40 sessions, scheduled five days a week.
See more providers in Tennessee: Tennessee HBOT Provider Directory
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.