Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

TRICARE covers hyperbaric oxygen therapyThe medical use of oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure. The patient breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized room or tube. when provided as treatment for:

• Decompression sickness
• Air or gas embolism
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Profound blood loss, when transfusion can’t be accomplished

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy must be provided by an approved institutional provider, such as a hospital or specialized treatment facility.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be covered as an addition to standard therapy for:

• Acute soft tissue injury (crush injury, compartment syndrome, acute traumatic peripheral ischemia, blast injury)
• Clostridial myositis and myonecrosis
• Compromised skin grafts and flaps
• Chronic, severe, or gangrenous diabetic foot wounds
• Osteoradionecrosis
• Osteomyelitis refractory to standard medical management
• Other indications, when proven safe, effective, and comparable or superior to standard care

TRICARE doesn’t cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an additional therapy for the treatment of thermal burns. TRICARE also doesn’t hyperbaric oxygen therapy for:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Cerebral palsy
• Autism

Topical application of oxygen is also not covered.