By:Corrine Parver, Lynne DeSarbo and Danielle Schonback*.

Currently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (“HBOT”) services provided in a freestanding health care facility are not separately covered or reimbursed under Medicare Part B. Without such federal health care program reimbursement, the future provision of HBOT provided in these facilities may be in jeopardy. Patients who do not have private insurance or sufficient funds would be compelled to choose the hospital setting for such services.1 Thus, the need for providers in freestanding facilities to consider joining in an effort for gaining federal reimbursement of HBOT in that setting may be necessary, to preserve the ability of beneficiaries to seek treatment provided there under the umbrella of federal health care program coverage and payment criteria.

Given that federal health care programs do not, at present, cover or reimburse freestanding facilities for HBOT services, a collective effort to form a coalition of HBOT freestanding facilities dedicated to promoting common goals would work to advocate for such reimbursement gains. Other coalition initiatives also could include seeking adequate reimbursement rates from private payors; further expanding the types of conditions covered under HBOT; and maintaining quality services within the profession of HBOT providers.

A strong advocacy effort can help bring this critical issue to the attention of federal policy makers.