HMF’s Reimbursement Initiative

Only 15 hyperbaric treatments are currently approved for reimbursement by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

In the United States, patients suffering from these 15 medical conditions, referred to as “indications”, may be authorized to receive hyperbaric treatment and insurance coverage for their medical conditions.

In many other countries, hyperbaric treatment is safely and effectively used for dozens of treatments that are off-label in the United States. In many cases, those indications are paid for by some form of medical insurance.

Research in the United States and abroad has shown that hyperbaric treatment can be safe and effective for many other indications than the 15 currently covered in the U.S., such as Cerebral Palsy and Fibromyalgia.

Affecting positive change

The Hyperbaric Medicine Foundation will align the past, current, and future research and outcomes of hyperbaric professionals across the United States, and the world, to demonstrate the efficacy of hyperbaric treatment for additional indicatons. Broadening what indicators are covered by insurance will result in more patients having access to hyperbaric treatment that can help them to heal faster, recover earlier in their treatment process, and recover with less complications and restrictions.

To achieve results we will…

  • Gather data to create compelling arguments for broader use of hyperbaric treatment.
  • Collaborate with providers and insurers to develop cost benefit analyses, and risk mitigation strategies, that can help increase the number of approved indications.
  • Demonstrate hyperbaric treatment efficacy to policy makers and government officials.