Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Richmond, Virginia

Richmond is Virginia’s state capital and the home of VCU Health, one of the mid-Atlantic’s major academic medical systems. That academic infrastructure matters when you’re looking for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Complex wound care and hyperbaric medicine programs tend to concentrate at teaching hospitals, where the volume and staff training support the specialty.

Finding HBOT Providers in Richmond

VCU Health System, anchored by VCU Medical Center, is the natural first stop for patients seeking hospital-based HBOT in Richmond. As a Level I trauma center and academic medical center, VCU Medical Center handles the complex cases — diabetic wounds, radiation injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning — that hyperbaric programs are built around.

Bon Secours Richmond Health System operates several hospitals in the region, including St. Mary’s Hospital and Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center. Bon Secours runs wound care services across its network, and some locations include hyperbaric capabilities.

The right approach is to start with your primary care physician or specialist and ask for a referral. A referral gives you a stronger path to insurance coverage and gets you into the right facility for your specific condition. Don’t self-refer to a standalone wellness clinic for a condition that qualifies for medical HBOT.

The UHMS provider directory lists accredited hyperbaric programs. Accreditation means the program has been reviewed for equipment safety, clinical protocols, and staff credentials. Before you call any facility, read our guide to choosing a hyperbaric clinic so you know what questions to ask.

Insurance and Medicare Coverage in Richmond

Medicare Part B may cover HBOT at a Medicare-approved hospital outpatient facility in Richmond for FDA-approved conditions. The most common covered conditions in wound care settings are diabetic foot ulcers that haven’t responded to at least 30 days of standard care, and problem wounds from radiation therapy. Your physician needs to document why standard wound care has failed before Medicare will authorize HBOT.

Virginia Medicaid coverage for HBOT is more restricted than Medicare. Prior authorization is required, and the list of covered conditions may be narrower than the full FDA-approved list. Contact your Medicaid managed care organization before scheduling.

Anthem, Aetna, United, and other commercial carriers generally follow Medicare’s criteria. Some plans require you to use in-network facilities, which in Richmond typically means VCU Health or Bon Secours. Check your plan’s network before you go through the authorization process.

State employees and retirees covered by the Virginia state employee health plan should contact the plan directly to verify HBOT coverage. The state capital location means a meaningful share of Richmond’s population uses state employee benefits.

Off-label HBOT — treatments for conditions not on the FDA-approved list — isn’t covered by any of these payers. You’d pay out of pocket, at rates that typically run $250 to $450 per session at standalone wellness clinics. See our insurance guide and cost guide for full detail.

What to Expect at Your First Session

First-time patients often expect the chamber to feel more confining than it does. Most hospital-based programs use monoplace chambers, where you lie down and the chamber pressurizes around you. Staff communicate with you through an intercom throughout the session, which usually runs 90 minutes to two hours.

The pressure increase during the first few minutes is the part patients notice most. It feels like the pressure change during a plane descent or driving down a mountain. Most people equalize easily. Staff will walk you through how to do it before your first session.

Our first session guide covers what to wear, what to avoid before treatment, and what to expect from a full course of therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to start HBOT in Richmond? For insurance-covered treatment, yes. Medicare and commercial insurers require a physician referral and documentation of medical necessity. Even if you’re paying out of pocket, a medical evaluation first makes sense. HBOT has contraindications — conditions that make it unsafe — and a physician needs to screen you.

How long does a course of HBOT take? Most wound care protocols run 20 to 40 sessions, five days a week. That’s four to eight weeks of daily treatment. Some acute conditions, like decompression sickness or carbon monoxide poisoning, are treated more intensively over a shorter period. Your hyperbaric physician sets the protocol based on your condition and response.

Can VCU Health handle complex wound cases with HBOT? VCU Medical Center is a Level I trauma center with specialist wound care services. For complex cases involving diabetic wounds, radiation injuries, or compromised flaps and grafts, an academic center like VCU is well-equipped to coordinate HBOT with the rest of your care team.

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.