Where can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Burlington, VT?

UVM Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network, is Vermont's primary academic hospital and the main hub for clinical HBOT in the state. Most Vermont patients seeking clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy come to Burlington. Use the UHMS provider directory to confirm currently accredited facilities.

Does Medicare cover HBOT in Burlington?

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

Do Vermont patients ever travel to Boston for HBOT?

Some Vermont patients with complex or unusual cases are referred to Boston's academic medical centers. Boston is about 215 miles from Burlington — a long drive for daily sessions. Most patients try to manage care locally at UVM Medical Center before considering a Boston referral. Your physician can advise whether the distance is justified for your specific case.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Burlington, VT

Burlington is Vermont’s largest city and home to UVM Medical Center, the state’s only academic medical center. For clinical HBOT in Vermont, Burlington is effectively the only hub — and most Vermont patients who need hyperbaric oxygen therapy end up here.

Finding HBOT Providers in Burlington

UVM Medical Center is affiliated with the University of Vermont Health Network and serves patients from across Vermont and parts of northern New York and New Hampshire. As the state’s primary academic hospital, it handles cases that smaller community hospitals in Montpelier, Rutland, or St. Johnsbury can’t manage locally.

Vermont is a small, rural state. Outside Burlington, clinical HBOT options are limited. Patients in Barre, Middlebury, St. Albans, and other Vermont communities typically travel to Burlington for wound care that requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Access to clinical HBOT at UVM Medical Center starts with a physician referral. Your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or vascular surgeon can initiate a wound care consultation. The team will evaluate your condition and develop a treatment plan.

For cases beyond UVM’s scope, Boston is the nearest major academic medical hub — but at over 200 miles, daily travel for treatment isn’t realistic. Patients with the most complex needs may need to arrange temporary housing near their Boston care team.

Find accredited hyperbaric facilities in Vermont using the UHMS provider directory. Read our guide to choosing an HBOT clinic before your first call.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Burlington

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for 14 FDA-approved conditions at Medicare-participating outpatient facilities. Coverage is federal — it applies the same way in Burlington as anywhere in Vermont. After your annual deductible, Medicare typically pays 80% of the approved rate. Reimbursement rates change annually — confirm current figures with your facility’s billing team.

Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) may cover HBOT for qualifying conditions. Prior authorization is standard. Contact Vermont Medicaid or UVM Medical Center’s financial counselors before scheduling treatment.

Commercial insurers in Vermont — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, MVP Health Care, United Healthcare, Aetna, and others — generally follow Medicare’s approved indications for HBOT. Written prior authorization is required. Off-label HBOT is not covered.

Vermont is a small market — fewer insurers and provider contracts mean it’s especially important to confirm in-network status at UVM Medical Center before starting treatment. Investigational HBOT paid out of pocket runs $200 to $400 per session. See our insurance guide and cost guide.

What to Expect at Your First Session

At UVM Medical Center, your first appointment is a clinical evaluation. The wound care team reviews your medical history, examines the affected area, and confirms that HBOT is the right next step. Bring a complete list of your current medications.

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 manageable. Clinical staff are present throughout each session.

Most wound care courses run 20 to 40 sessions over four to eight weeks. Progress is monitored closely, and the protocol adjusts based on how the wound responds.

Our first session guide walks through the full process from arrival to discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UVM Medical Center the only place in Vermont that offers HBOT? UVM Medical Center is the primary hub. Some outpatient wound care centers affiliated with the UVM Health Network operate elsewhere in the state and may offer hyperbaric services. Use the UHMS provider directory to check for accredited options beyond Burlington.

What do Vermont patients from the Northeast Kingdom or southern Vermont do? For patients in St. Johnsbury, Newport, or Brattleboro, Burlington can be a 2 to 3 hour drive — tough for a daily treatment course. Ask your physician whether remote monitoring or partial telehealth coordination is possible, or whether a closer out-of-state provider (in New Hampshire or Massachusetts) might be more practical.

Does Vermont have dive medicine resources for decompression sickness? Lake Champlain attracts recreational divers, and Lake Memphremagog in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom also has diving activity. Decompression sickness is a medical emergency — call DAN at 1-919-684-9111 and go to the nearest emergency department. UVM Medical Center is Vermont’s Level I trauma center. Emergency HBOT capability at specific facilities should be confirmed through the ED directly.

See more providers in Vermont: /providers/vermont/

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.