Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk is Hampton Roads. It’s where the region’s biggest hospital sits, where the Navy’s Atlantic fleet is based, and where the most complex medical cases in the metro area get handled. For anyone in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News corridor looking for medical-grade HBOT, Norfolk is the logical center.

Finding HBOT Providers in Norfolk

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is the Level I trauma center for Hampton Roads. That designation matters for hyperbaric medicine. Trauma centers handle the most complex acute cases — gas gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, emergency recompression for decompression sickness — and they need the equipment and protocols to do it. Sentara Norfolk General is the facility most likely to house a hospital-based hyperbaric program for the region.

Sentara Health operates multiple facilities across Hampton Roads, and other Sentara hospitals in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake may also offer wound care or hyperbaric services. Call Sentara’s main line or check their website for current wound care center locations and whether HBOT is available at each site.

Norfolk’s large military presence — Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval station — also means the Hampton VA Medical Center plays a role for veterans with qualifying conditions. If you’re a veteran, contact your VA primary care provider about HBOT referrals before going outside the VA system.

For a complete list of accredited programs in the area, use the UHMS provider directory. Accreditation signals that a program meets established safety and training standards for hyperbaric medicine. Read our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic before you call anywhere.

One practical note: if you think you’re experiencing decompression sickness after a dive, don’t wait to call around. Contact DAN (Divers Alert Network) at 1-919-684-9111 immediately. They operate a 24-hour emergency line and can direct you to the nearest recompression chamber.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Norfolk

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at a Medicare-approved hospital outpatient department for FDA-approved conditions. Norfolk’s Sentara facilities are major health system hospitals and are Medicare-approved. Your physician needs to document your condition and why standard treatments haven’t worked before Medicare will authorize HBOT for wound care cases.

Medicaid in Virginia may cover HBOT for qualifying beneficiaries through managed care plans. Prior authorization is required, and the process takes time. Start it before you need your first session, not after.

Commercial plans from Anthem, Optima Health (Sentara’s insurance arm), Cigna, and others generally cover HBOT for the same FDA-approved list that Medicare uses. Optima Health is worth knowing about specifically in Hampton Roads, since it’s a Sentara plan and Sentara facilities are its core network. If you’re on an Optima plan, Sentara hospitals are your most direct path.

TRICARE may cover HBOT for active-duty members, retirees, and dependents. The rules mirror Medicare’s FDA-approved criteria. Contact your TRICARE regional contractor to confirm coverage for your specific condition before scheduling.

Off-label HBOT isn’t covered by any of these payers. See our insurance guide and cost guide for out-of-pocket details.

What to Expect at Your First Session

A standard HBOT session runs roughly 90 minutes to two hours in a pressurized chamber. The pressure increase — similar to the feeling of descending in an airplane — happens at the beginning of the session. Most patients adapt quickly. You’ll breathe pure oxygen throughout, and staff will monitor you and stay in contact the whole time.

If you’re coming in for an acute condition like decompression sickness or carbon monoxide poisoning, the protocol is more urgent. Emergency HBOT doesn’t look like a scheduled wound care appointment. The staff will walk you through everything before your first session for non-emergency cases.

Our first session guide covers what to bring, what to avoid, and what a full course of treatment looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norfolk or Virginia Beach better for accessing HBOT? They’re the same metro market. Sentara operates facilities across both cities, and the Level I trauma center is in Norfolk. For complex wound care or acute conditions, Sentara Norfolk General has the depth. For routine wound care follow-up, whichever Sentara wound care location is closest to you works fine.

What should I do if I think I have decompression sickness? Call DAN at 1-919-684-9111 right away. Don’t drive yourself. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve. Decompression sickness can worsen quickly, and the treatment window matters. DAN will direct you to the nearest recompression facility.

How does TRICARE handle HBOT authorization? TRICARE typically requires a referral from your primary care manager and prior authorization for HBOT. Covered conditions match the FDA-approved list. Timelines for authorization can vary, so start the process as soon as your physician recommends HBOT rather than waiting until you need it urgently.

See more providers in Virginia: /providers/virginia/

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.