HBOT Coverage in Canada by Province (2026) Skip to main content

Coverage Guide

Is HBOT Covered in Canada?

Provincial health coverage, private insurance, and out-of-pocket costs for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, everything you need to know, organized by province.

Quick Answer

HBOT coverage varies by province. Some provinces cover approved medical indications through public health insurance at hospitals and regulated facilities. Private insurance may cover additional indications. Many wellness uses are out of pocket. Use the Coverage Navigator below or find your province further down, or find the nearest hyperbaric facility. For the underlying chamber licensing, CSA standards, and operationally-funded indication list, see our regulatory framework overview.

Coverage Navigator

Check your HBOT coverage in 2 steps

The recognised HBOT indications, from carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression to radiation injury and problem wounds.

Select your province, then your insurance type. We will show you what's covered, who to contact, and what to expect.

Step 1 of 2 · Choose your province

Province by Province

Find Your Province

Seven Canadian provinces have an in-province hospital HBOT programme; the other six provinces and territories refer patients interprovincially.

Click your province to see coverage details, which conditions qualify, and how to access treatment.

Hospital programme
Disrupted
Via Referral
No Facility

Note: Coverage information compiled from publicly available sources, March 2026. Confirm directly with your provincial health authority before beginning treatment.

Cost Information

What Does HBOT Cost?

Emergency

Some Emergencies

1 or 2 sessions typical

Ask the clinic

at private clinics (may be covered)

Chronic

Problem Wounds

20 to 40 sessions typical

Ask the clinic

at private clinics (may be covered)

Private clinics set their own prices, so ask the clinic for a session and course quote. For publicly covered treatment, coverage and any cost depend on your provincial plan; in Ontario, an OHIP-insured service cannot be charged to the insured patient except as Ontario regulations permit. Many facilities offer package discounts. Find a facility near you.

For Patients

See the full HBOT cost reference for Canada

Per-province table, what affects the per-session price, package discounts, extended health insurance details, and source-traced canonical numbers.

Read the cost guide

Detailed Coverage

Provincial Coverage Deep Dives

HBOT access is triaged: critical emergencies bypass queues and are treated immediately, while routine elective cases wait weeks to months.

Detailed coverage information for each province with public HBOT coverage. Click a province to expand.

OHIP-Covered Indications

1 Air or gas embolism
2 Carbon monoxide poisoning and/or cyanide poisoning
3 Clostridial myositis and myonecrosis (gas gangrene)
4 Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemias
5 Decompression sickness
6 Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds
7 Exceptional blood loss
8 Intracranial abscess
9 Necrotizing soft tissue infections (subcutaneous tissue, muscle, fascia)
10 Osteomyelitis (refractory)
11 Delayed radiation injury (soft tissue and bony necrosis)
12 Skin grafts and flaps (compromised)
13 Thermal burns
14 Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL)Only when the patient is treated concurrently with corticosteroid unless corticosteroids are contraindicated, treatment is initiated within 30 days of a diagnosis of ISSHL, and the diagnosis is made or confirmed by an otolaryngologist prior to the initiation of treatment (Schedule Note 2).
15 Avascular necrosis (AVN) of boneOnly following diagnostic imaging confirmation of symptomatic early to mid-stage AVN, e.g. Ficat stage I, II, or III or equivalent (Schedule Note 3).

How HBOT Is Billed

Hospital programmes bill OHIP for HBOT delivered for covered indications using insured-service codes; patients are not billed directly. At select eligible clinics, OHIP coverage may also apply for approved indications, with eligibility varying by facility. Confirm with the treating centre before booking.

Facilities

Hospital programmes: Toronto General / UHN (24/7), Hamilton General, The Ottawa Hospital (24/7)

Private HBOT clinics: 16 private HBOT clinics operate across Ontario (Toronto, Mississauga, Barrie, Brampton, Newmarket, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Oakville, Tobermory, and others). Select eligible clinics may bill OHIP for approved indications; most are self-pay. Confirm eligibility with each clinic.

View all Ontario facilities on the map

How to Access

Physician referral required. Valid OHIP card needed. Contact an approved hospital or regulated facility directly - their intake team will confirm eligibility and coordinate paperwork. An insured service cannot be charged to the insured patient except as Ontario regulations permit. Find the closest facility to you.

Indications

1 Air or Gas Embolism
2 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3 Gas Gangrene
4 Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome & Acute Traumatic Ischaemia
5 Decompression Sickness
6 Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
7 Exceptional Blood Loss (Anaemia)
8 Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
9 Chronic Osteomyelitis
10 Soft Tissue Radiation Necrosis
11 Radiation Damage Affecting Bone
12 Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps
13 Thermal Burns
14 Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Billing Code

13.99IHBOT detention time (per 15 min)

Facilities

Hospital: Misericordia Community Hospital, Edmonton (monoplace, 24/7 emergency) and Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Calgary (monoplace, no 24/7).

CPSA-Accredited Private: The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta accredits private HBOT clinics, setting standards and conducting on-site assessments. CPSA accreditation does not automatically confer Alberta Health billing. Private clinic fees are generally out of pocket. Confirm billing arrangements with each clinic.

View all Alberta facilities on the map

How to Access

Doctor's referral required - can be faxed for primary care referrals. Emergency referrals through ER. Contact: Misericordia Hyperbaric Unit 780-735-2537 | Calgary clinic 587-231-5475. Find the closest facility to you.

Indications

RAMQ: for coverage, check with your provincial hospital programme. Hospital HBOT is at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis. Hyperbaric medicine has been available in Quebec for decades. Coverage is not available at private clinics.

1 Air or Gas Embolism
2 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3 Gas Gangrene
4 Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome & Acute Traumatic Ischaemia
5 Decompression Sickness
6 Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
7 Exceptional Blood Loss (Anaemia)
8 Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
9 Chronic Osteomyelitis
10 Soft Tissue Radiation Necrosis
11 Radiation Damage Affecting Bone
12 Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps
13 Thermal Burns
14 Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Billing

RAMQ specialist billing manual includes hyperbaric medicine codes. Billing is handled by the treating hospital. Specific fee codes are in the RAMQ Manuel de rémunération à l'acte for specialists.

Facilities

Hospital: Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis (multiplace + monoplace, 24/7 emergency, 418 835-7121) and Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal (multiplace + monoplace, 24/7 emergency).

Private (NOT RAMQ-covered): Private HBOT clinics operate in Quebec. Treatment is entirely out of pocket or through private insurance. See the facilities directory for current Quebec listings.

View all Quebec facilities on the map

How to Access

Physician referral required. Emergency cases: contact ER directly. Elective referrals: contact Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis at 418 835-7121. Wait times may apply for non-emergency indications. Valid RAMQ card required. Find the closest facility to you.

Indications

For MSP, check with Vancouver General Hospital. The MSC Payment Schedule includes hyperbaric chamber billing codes.

1 Air or Gas Embolism
2 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3 Gas Gangrene
4 Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome & Acute Traumatic Ischaemia
5 Decompression Sickness
6 Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
7 Exceptional Blood Loss (Anaemia)
8 Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
9 Chronic Osteomyelitis
10 Soft Tissue Radiation Necrosis
11 Radiation Damage Affecting Bone
12 Compromised Skin Grafts & Flaps
13 Thermal Burns
14 Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Billing

MSP billing codes for hyperbaric chamber services are included in the BC Medical Services Commission Payment Schedule. Confirm with your provincial plan or the VGH unit whether your indication is covered and any cost.

Facilities

Hospital: Vancouver General Hospital Hyperbaric Unit (multiplace, 24/7 emergency). A physician referral is required.

Private (NOT MSP-covered): Private HBOT clinics operate in Metro Vancouver (Burnaby, Richmond). All private clinic treatment is out of pocket or through private insurance. See the facilities directory for current BC listings.

Access note: Wait times for non-emergency indications may be significant. Emergency cases are prioritized. For referral steps and the BC FAQ, see our British Columbia guide for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

View all British Columbia facilities on the map

How to Access

Physician referral required. Emergency referrals through ER. Valid BC Services Card needed. Contact the VGH Hyperbaric Unit directly for referral coordination. Find the closest facility to you.

Indications

Check with the QEII Health Sciences Centre. See MSI (Medical Services Insurance). This facility serves as the only hospital-based chamber for all three Maritime provinces (NS, NB, PEI). No private clinics operate in Nova Scotia.

1 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
2 Decompression Sickness
3 Air or Gas Embolism
4 Gas Gangrene
5 Delayed Radiation Injury
6 Diabetic & Problem Wounds
7 Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
8 Crush Injury
9 Compromised Grafts & Flaps
10 Refractory Osteomyelitis
11 Thermal Burns
12 Sudden Hearing Loss

Billing

Confirm with your provincial plan or the unit whether your indication is covered and any cost. Hospital handles all billing directly. Valid NS Health Card required.

Facility

QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax (multiplace, 24/7 emergency). This is the only hospital-based chamber in the Maritimes, no private hyperbaric clinics exist in Nova Scotia.

Critical access issue: Wait times for chronic indications can extend from several months to over a year; annual chronic-condition capacity is limited by staff shortages, COVID-related capacity reductions, and increased Maritime population demand. The aging chamber also requires increasing maintenance. Emergency cases (DCS, CO poisoning) are prioritized; routine outpatient referrals should be submitted early. Confirm current wait estimates with NS Health when referring.

View Atlantic facilities on the map

How to Access

Physician referral required. Given the long wait times, submit referrals early. Maritime patients from NB and PEI are also referred here via interprovincial referral, adding to demand. Emergency cases should contact the QEII ER directly. Find the closest facility to you.

Indications

The program provides both emergency and elective outpatient treatment. Hospital-only, no private clinic coverage.

1 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
2 Decompression Sickness
3 Air or Gas Embolism
4 Problem Wound Healing
5 Delayed Radiation Injury
6 Gas Gangrene
7 Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
8 Crush Injury
9 Compromised Grafts & Flaps
10 Thermal Burns

Billing

Hospital handles billing. Confirm with MCP or the unit whether your indication is covered and any cost. Valid MCP card required.

Facility

Health Sciences Centre, St. John's (monoplace, 24/7 emergency coverage). Operated by Eastern Health (transferred from Memorial University's MEDICOR).

View Atlantic facilities on the map

How to Access

Physician referral required. Emergency cases (CO poisoning, DCS) have 24/7 access - contact the Health Sciences Centre ER. For outpatient wound/radiation treatment, contact the Hyperbaric Medical Services unit directly. MCP enquiries: 709-758-1600 (St. John's/Avalon). Find the closest facility to you.

Private Coverage

Private Insurance, Extended Benefits & Other Coverage

Beyond provincial health plans, there are several other ways Canadians access HBOT coverage.

Extended Health Benefits

Many employer-sponsored and individual extended health plans from Canadian insurers include coverage for HBOT, though the extent varies significantly by plan level and insurer.

Major Canadian insurers to ask:

Sun Life Manulife Canada Life (Great-West) Blue Cross Desjardins GreenShield Industrial Alliance Equitable Life

Coverage typically falls under "paramedical services" or "medical equipment/treatment" categories. Some plans cover HBOT explicitly; others require it to be prescribed by a physician for a recognised medical indication. Always check your specific plan booklet or call the number on your benefits card.

Auto Insurance (MVA)

If your condition resulted from a motor vehicle accident, HBOT may be covered through your auto insurance benefits. In Ontario, this is submitted through the OCF-18 Treatment Plan via the HCAI (Health Claims for Auto Insurance) system.

Acceptance of OCF-18 treatment plans involving HBOT is increasing as the therapy gains wider recognition. Your HBOT clinic can help prepare and submit the treatment plan to your auto insurer.

Note: Auto insurance coverage for HBOT varies by province and by insurer. No guarantee of approval. Your clinic and treating physician can provide supporting documentation.

Workers' Compensation (WSIB/WCB)

If your condition is work-related, ask your provincial workers' compensation board (WSIB in Ontario, WCB elsewhere) whether it will consider HBOT for your claim.

Coverage is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Your treating physician must submit a treatment plan demonstrating medical necessity. Contact your provincial WCB: WSIB (Ontario), WorkSafeBC (BC), WCB Alberta, or your province's equivalent.

Veterans Affairs Canada

Canadian veterans with service-related injuries may be eligible for HBOT coverage through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). This is particularly relevant for TBI, blast injuries, and PTSD, conditions where HBOT research is growing.

Coverage is assessed individually. Contact VAC directly at 1-866-522-2122 or through your VAC case manager to inquire about HBOT eligibility for your service-related condition.

How to Get Private Insurance Approval

1

Check Your Plan

Call the number on your benefits card. Ask specifically: "Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy covered for [your diagnosis]?" Get the answer in writing.

2

Get Pre-Authorization

Most insurers require pre-authorization. Submit your physician's referral, diagnosis, proposed treatment plan, and supporting clinical documentation before starting treatment.

3

Gather Documentation

Your insurer will want: physician's letter of medical necessity, diagnosis code, wound measurements or imaging, list of failed treatments, and the proposed number of sessions.

4

Your Clinic Can Help

Most HBOT clinics have experience with insurance submissions and will help you prepare documentation, write supporting letters, and submit claims on your behalf.

What to Ask Your Insurer

  • • Is HBOT covered for my specific diagnosis?
  • • Do I need pre-authorization?
  • • Is there a session or dollar limit per year?
  • • Does the provider need to be accredited?
  • • What documentation is required?
  • • Is there a co-pay or deductible?

If Your Claim Is Denied

  • • Request the denial in writing with the specific reason
  • • Ask your doctor to write a letter of medical necessity
  • • Have your HBOT physician provide supporting research and clinical guidelines
  • • Appeal the decision, most insurers have a formal appeals process
  • • Contact your provincial insurance ombudsman if the appeal fails

Tax Deduction

HBOT prescribed by a licensed physician for a diagnosed medical condition may qualify as an eligible medical expense under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) on your Canadian tax return.

  • • Keep all receipts and your physician's prescription
  • • Claim on Line 33099 (for yourself) or Line 33199 (for a dependant)
  • • You can claim out-of-pocket amounts not reimbursed by insurance
  • • Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation

Step by Step

How to Get Covered

Getting covered: clinical consultation, documentation assembly, referral to a hyperbaric unit, then assessment and admission.
01

Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss HBOT and get a referral with your diagnosis and clinical rationale.

02

Get Documentation

Diagnosis, imaging, treatments tried, and why HBOT is medically necessary.

03

Check Provincial

Contact your provincial health authority to confirm coverage and approved facilities.

04

Check Private

Call your insurer about HBOT coverage for your diagnosis. Get pre-authorization.

05

Find a Facility

Search our facilities directory to find a hospital or regulated facility near you. Their intake team confirms coverage and coordinates your referral.

Common Questions

Coverage FAQ

Coverage varies by province. Some cover HBOT for recognised conditions at hospitals and regulated facilities. Ontario covers the indications on its OHIP-funded list (Ontario Schedule of Benefits, as of April 1, 2026) at its hospital programmes, and select eligible clinics may also bill OHIP; confirm with each facility. Contact your provincial health authority to confirm, or use our facilities directory to find a provider near you.

Yes. OHIP covers the indications on its funded list (Ontario Schedule of Benefits, as of April 1, 2026) at hospital programmes and select eligible clinics; confirm eligibility directly with the facility. Physician referral required. Covered conditions include diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injury, CO poisoning, decompression sickness, and others.

Some extended health plans cover HBOT. Coverage depends on your plan and diagnosis. Contact your insurer directly and ask about pre-authorization requirements.

Private clinics set their own prices: clinics that publish prices online list $150 to $365 for a single session for one person (checked October 2026); ask the clinic for a course quote. Package discounts and payment plans may be available.

Coverage is set by each province. In Ontario, OHIP insures the 15 indications on the Ontario Schedule of Benefits (as of April 1, 2026), paying for sudden hearing loss only with a corticosteroid unless one is contraindicated, started within 30 days of diagnosis and with the diagnosis made or confirmed by an otolaryngologist before treatment starts, and avascular necrosis only after diagnostic imaging confirms symptomatic early to mid-stage disease; The Ottawa Hospital, which treats only OHIP-approved conditions, lists: air or gas embolism, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, crush injury & acute traumatic ischaemia, decompression sickness, enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds, exceptional blood loss (anaemia), necrotizing soft tissue infections, chronic osteomyelitis, soft tissue radiation necrosis, radiation damage affecting bone, compromised skin grafts & flaps, thermal burns, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Yes. You need a referral from a physician with your diagnosis, medical history, and supporting documentation.

HBOT prescribed by a physician may qualify under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC). Keep all receipts and your prescription. Consult a tax professional.

Options include: treatment at a regulated private facility, private insurance, interprovincial referral to a province with coverage, or claiming costs as a medical tax expense. Search our facilities directory to find the nearest hospital or regulated facility.

Not currently a recognised condition. Generally not covered by provincial plans. Clinical trials are ongoing. Private clinics offer treatment out of pocket.

Contact your provincial health authority directly, or call the nearest hospital or regulated hyperbaric facility - their intake team knows current policies. Use our facilities directory to find the closest one to you by postal code.

Coverage FAQ

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy coverage in Canada: frequently asked questions

Provincial health insurance, referral pathways, wait times, and the regulatory framework.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy covered by Canadian provincial health insurance?
Yes in Ontario, at hospital-based programmes with a physician referral: OHIP (Toronto General, Hamilton General, The Ottawa Hospital). Hospital programmes elsewhere: British Columbia (Vancouver General Hospital), Alberta (Misericordia Edmonton, Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre Calgary, billing code 13.99I), Quebec (Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal), Nova Scotia (QEII Halifax), Saskatchewan (Wigmore Moose Jaw, partial-hours), Newfoundland (Health Sciences Centre St. John's); check with the provincial hospital programme. Provinces without an in-province programme refer patients interprovincially.
How do I get a referral for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Canada?
The referral pathway typically starts with a family physician or specialist (hyperbaric medicine, wound care, infectious disease, otolaryngology for sudden hearing loss, ophthalmology for retinal indications). The referring physician faxes the referral to the closest hospital hyperbaric unit, which schedules an in-person consultation; treatment begins after the unit's hyperbaric physician confirms clinical appropriateness. Emergency cases (carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, gas embolism, gas gangrene) bypass the elective referral pathway and are accepted directly from emergency departments through provincial emergency-transport networks (CritiCall Ontario at 1-800-668-4357, equivalents elsewhere).
What is the difference between recognised conditions and the UHMS Indications list?
Health Canada licenses hyperbaric chambers as medical devices; its HBOT page lists the 14 conditions the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) recognised in October 2011, and it has issued device licences for hyperbaric chambers to treat only those 14. The UHMS Indications Manual (15th Edition, 2024) lists 15 indications, having added avascular necrosis as the 15th. In Ontario, the OHIP Schedule of Benefits (as of April 1, 2026) publicly funds a defined list of these indications at hospital programmes; in another province, check with your provincial hospital programme; UHMS-listed indications not funded (depending on the province) may still be treated case-by-case. Always confirm with the receiving hospital and the referring physician.
Does extended health insurance cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Coverage varies widely by plan. Some private extended health plans (workplace benefits, individual policies) cover specific HBOT indications when prescribed by a physician; many do not cover off-label uses. Pre-authorisation is typically required before treatment begins. Workplace health spending accounts sometimes cover all or part of private-clinic HBOT regardless of indication. Always confirm coverage with your specific plan administrator before booking, and provide the clinical indication plus proposed session count so the administrator can give a definitive answer.
What is the difference between hospital-based and private-clinic hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Canada?
Hospital-based hyperbaric programmes treat the indications publicly funded in your province (in Ontario, the OHIP Schedule of Benefits, as of April 1, 2026), subject to the referral requirements of the programme; elsewhere, confirm coverage with the provincial hospital programme. They operate clinical-grade multiplace or monoplace chambers, provide 24/7 emergency coverage in most cases, and accept interprovincial referrals where in-province hospital capacity is absent. Wait times for elective and chronic indications can range from weeks to months. Private clinics are generally self-pay (in Ontario, select eligible clinics may bill OHIP for approved indications; confirm eligibility directly with the facility), set their own prices (clinics that publish prices online list $150 to $365 for a single session for one person, checked October 2026), typically operate during business hours, and offer faster access for elective and off-label indications. Both must use Health Canada-licensed chamber equipment.
How long are wait times for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Canada?
Emergency cases (carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, gas embolism, gas gangrene, severe crush injury) are treated immediately at the closest 24/7 hospital programme via provincial emergency-transport networks. Elective and chronic cases (diabetic foot ulcers, delayed radiation injury, idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, refractory osteomyelitis, compromised grafts) face provincial wait times that vary widely: typically 4 weeks to several months in most provinces, with notably longer waits at the QEII Halifax (the only hospital programme serving the Maritimes). Patients with time-critical indications (sudden hearing loss within 14 days of onset, central retinal artery occlusion within 24 hours) should request expedited referral.
Are there interprovincial referral programmes for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Canada?
Yes. Provinces without an in-province hospital hyperbaric programme (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) refer patients to programmes in neighbouring provinces. Common referral pathways: Manitoba and the territories (NWT, Nunavut) typically refer to Misericordia Edmonton; Yukon refers to Vancouver General Hospital; New Brunswick and PEI refer to QEII Halifax. The referring physician initiates the out-of-province transfer through the provincial health plan's medical-travel program.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy covered by workers' compensation in Canada?
Workers' compensation may cover HBOT for work-related injuries on a case-by-case basis through provincial WCB or WSIB. Common workplace-injury indications include decompression sickness in commercial divers and offshore workers, crush injuries with compartment syndrome, severe carbon monoxide exposure (firefighters, industrial accidents), and acute traumatic ischaemia. The receiving clinic typically handles the billing once approval is secured. Patients should notify their WCB or WSIB case manager of the recommended HBOT course and ask the referring physician to provide treatment justification documentation.
What is the closest hospital hyperbaric programme to me in Canada?
Canada has 11 hospital-based hyperbaric programmes across 7 provinces: Ontario (Toronto General/UHN, Hamilton General, The Ottawa Hospital), British Columbia (Vancouver General Hospital), Alberta (Misericordia Edmonton, Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre Calgary), Quebec (Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal), Nova Scotia (QEII Halifax), Saskatchewan (Wigmore Moose Jaw), Newfoundland (Health Sciences Centre St. John's). Use our facilities directory to find the closest programme by province, or your province-specific coverage guide via the cards below.
Are private hyperbaric clinics in Canada regulated by Health Canada?
Health Canada regulates the chamber equipment (Class III medical devices under the Canadian Medical Devices Regulations, licensed to treat 14 conditions, the list the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society recognised in 2011); it does not directly license clinical facilities. Provincial Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons regulate clinical practice (CPSA in Alberta, CPSO in Ontario, equivalents in other provinces). CUHMA (Canadian Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Association) publishes Standards of Practice Guidelines that hospital programmes and provincially accredited private clinics follow. Patients should verify that a private clinic uses Health Canada-licensed chamber equipment operating at clinical-grade pressures (100 per cent oxygen), not lower-pressure recreational chambers.
Can I get hyperbaric oxygen therapy if my condition is not on the Health Canada list?
For conditions such as long COVID, traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, anti-aging and athletic recovery, OHIP does not fund HBOT (Ontario Schedule of Benefits, as of April 1, 2026); in another province, check with your provincial hospital programme. Treatment is available at private clinics on a self-pay basis (clinics that publish prices online list $150 to $365 for a single session for one person, checked October 2026), and some extended health plans may cover specific off-label indications when prescribed by a physician. Patients pursuing off-label HBOT should discuss the evidence quality with the referring physician and confirm the private clinic uses Health Canada-licensed clinical-grade chambers (100 per cent oxygen).
Where can I find peer-reviewed research on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Canada?
The Canada Hyperbarics research database indexes 14,708+ HBOT studies and papers across all indications, updated weekly via the PubMed import pipeline. CUHMA (Canadian Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Association, cuhma.ca) publishes Canadian Standards of Practice Guidelines and an annual scientific meeting. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) publishes the HBO Indications Manual (15th Edition, 2024) and the journal Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Cochrane Reviews cover several recognised indications including diabetic foot ulcers, late radiation tissue injury, idiopathic sudden hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury.
Can I claim hyperbaric oxygen therapy on my Canadian taxes?
HBOT prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner for a diagnosed medical condition may qualify as an eligible medical expense under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) on your Canadian tax return. Keep all receipts and your physician's prescription or referral letter on file. The CRA list of eligible medical expenses is updated periodically; consult a tax professional or the Canada Revenue Agency directly for advice specific to your situation, as eligibility rules can change year to year.
How do I find out if hyperbaric oxygen therapy is covered in my province?
Three direct paths: (1) Contact your provincial health ministry (Ontario Ministry of Health, BC Ministry of Health, Alberta Health, etc.) and ask specifically about hyperbaric oxygen therapy coverage for your diagnosis. (2) Call the nearest hospital-based hyperbaric unit's intake team -- they know current provincial coverage policies and referral requirements. (3) For private insurance, call the number on the back of your benefits card and ask about coverage for "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" with your specific diagnosis code. Our provincial coverage section above lists the canonical plan name and hospital programmes for each province.

Find a Clinic That Accepts Your Coverage

Find a verified Canadian HBOT facility and confirm coverage options in your province.

Find a Clinic Near You

Disclaimer: Coverage information is compiled from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current provincial policies. Always confirm with your provincial health authority, insurance provider, or HBOT facility before beginning treatment. This page does not constitute financial or medical advice.

Last updated: May 21, 2026 | Reviewed by: Canada Hyperbarics Editorial Team | Editorial process | Research sources | Counts & methodology

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