Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an excellent treatment option when other options have failed or are insufficient. However, this procedure is quite expensive and it is not always covered by healthcare insurance. In this article, we are going to look at hyperbaric oxygen therapy covered by medicare as well as the conditions that are not covered by this procedure.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy simply means breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor. It was used initially as the most effective treatment for deep-sea divers who suffered decompression sickness. This is a deadly and painful condition where gas bubbles accumulate in the blood. It is a potentially deadly sickness and has been known to kill many divers. The good news for deep-sea divers is that hyperbaric oxygen therapy works like a charm and this has saved the lives of many deep-sea divers.
Other Uses of the Procedure
Apart from its benefits to deep-sea divers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is beneficial for people who suffer from a number of medical conditions. These include radiation injury, wounds resulting from diabetes, gas gangrene and peripheral arterial insufficiency.
What it entails:
When you get this treatment, you simply breathe 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This increases the amount of oxygen in your blood and the benefits are startling. It promotes the growth of new blood vessels. It also enhances the ability of the body to kill certain classes of bacteria. Predictably, this treatment is quite expensive and this is why it is not covered by insurance in many instances. Each session usually lasts about two hours. However, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not an instant solution. People who need this treatment usually have to get many sessions before they get a complete cure. The number of sessions you need depends on the medical condition for which you are receiving treatment. If you need hyperbaric oxygen therapy for carbon monoxide poisoning, for instance, three or sessions will do. On the other hand, you may require 40-45 sessions if you are dealing with non-healing wounds.
Before discussing the medical conditions covered by this procedure, it is perfectly in order to list some of the medical conditions that are not covered by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. They include:
- Sickle cell anemia
- Tetanus
- Arthritic diseases
- Organ transplant
- Burns
- Multiple sclerosis
- Emphysema.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered in the following instances:
- Acute carbon monoxide intoxication
- Gas embolism
- Cyanide poisoning
- Progressive necrotizing infections
- Decompression illness
- Gas gangrene.
Medical and Financial Implications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
In order to qualify for hyperbaric oxygen therapy insurance, you need comprehensive medical insurance. You also have to prove that you need this procedure for a potentially life-threatening medical condition. Most insurers will not offer this procedure if it is for purely cosmetic purposes.
Final Word
As you can see, this procedure is complicated but it is beneficial and very effective. People who qualify can take advantage of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to cure certain medical conditions and enjoy a better life.
More info can be found at https://www.hyperbariccentersoftexas.com/financial-policies/.
