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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Burnaby

British Columbia. Burnaby is home to Greater Vancouver's private HBOT clinic. MSP-covered hospital HBOT is at Vancouver General.

Quick Answer

HBOT in Burnaby: Burnaby has one hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility: BaroMedical Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic on 6th Street, a private self-pay clinic serving the Greater Vancouver market. MSP-covered hospital HBOT is at Vancouver General Hospital (about 12 km west). Private sessions at BaroMedical typically cost $175 to $350 and can usually begin within one to two weeks.

Key facts at a glance

City:
Burnaby, British Columbia
Facilities:
1 (0 hospital, 1 private)
Provincial plan:
MSP
Coverage:
Covered at hospital only (VGH)
Typical wait:
1 to 2 weeks private
Emergency:
Via Vancouver General
Private cost:
$175 to $350 per session
Last updated:

Facilities

1

0 hospital · 1 private

Provincial Plan

MSP

Covered at hospital only (VGH)

Typical Wait

1 to 2 weeks private

For elective indications

Emergency

Via Vancouver General

CO, air embolism, DCS

HBOT Facilities in Burnaby

MSP covers HBOT at Vancouver General Hospital for Health Canada-recognised conditions. Physician referral required. BaroMedical in Burnaby is a private self-pay clinic not covered by MSP.

Independent directory, no paid placements learn more

Private Clinics

Coverage varies by clinic and indication. Some may bill the provincial plan for approved indications; others operate on a self-pay basis. Confirm directly with each clinic before booking.

How Much Does HBOT Cost in Burnaby?

BaroMedical in Burnaby offers private self-pay HBOT with shorter wait times and broader indication acceptance than Vancouver General. For MSP-covered treatment, referral is to Vancouver General Hospital.

For an MSP-covered indication

$0 with physician referral

MSP-covered HBOT for Greater Vancouver residents is delivered at Vancouver General Hospital, 12 km west of central Burnaby. Physician referral required.

Private-pay option

$175 to $350 per session

Some facilities offer private-pay HBOT, typically for conditions outside the recognised indications list or for patients preferring faster scheduling. Typical per-session rate at BaroMedical. Package pricing may apply for longer courses. Confirm with the clinic directly.

Note: A 40-session course for a condition not covered by the provincial plan typically totals $7,000 to $14,000. Extended health plans in BC rarely cover HBOT; confirm with your plan administrator.

For Patients

See HBOT cost across all Canadian provinces and cities

Full per-province table, package discounts, what affects price, extended health insurance, and source-traced canonical numbers.

See cost reference

How to Get a Referral for HBOT in Burnaby

BaroMedical accepts self-referrals with a medical assessment. For MSP-covered treatment, obtain a referral from your family physician to the VGH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit.

  1. 1 Confirm your condition and desired indication (recognised list vs. off-label).
  2. 2 For MSP-covered treatment, ask your family physician for a referral to any Vancouver-area facility that bills MSP for HBOT.
  3. 3 For private self-pay or off-label HBOT, contact BaroMedical directly for an initial medical assessment.
  4. 4 Bring medical history, current medications, and any imaging or specialist reports relevant to your condition.
  5. 5 Discuss protocol and financial planning with the clinic before committing to a full course.

Emergency HBOT Access in Burnaby

Burnaby does not have a hospital HBOT facility. Time-critical indications from Burnaby are treated at Vancouver General Hospital.

Call 911 for any suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, diving accident, or gas embolism. BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) will transport to Vancouver General Hospital, which operates the province's only 24/7 hyperbaric medicine unit with multiplace chamber capacity. For inter-facility transfers, physicians coordinate through the BC Patient Transfer Network.

Getting There & Accessibility

Transit, parking, and drop-off details for each facility.

BaroMedical Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic

7850 6th Street, Burnaby (near Edmonds SkyTrain, Expo Line). TransLink SkyTrain and buses serve the area. Free on-site parking.

Conditions Commonly Treated

BaroMedical treats the full range of Health Canada-recognised indications plus off-label conditions where patient and clinician agree treatment is appropriate. Common referrals include diabetic foot ulcers, delayed radiation injury after BC Cancer treatment, and off-label indications like chronic TBI.

Local Context

BaroMedical is Greater Vancouver's private HBOT provider, located in Burnaby's Edmonds area. It serves Metro Vancouver patients seeking alternatives to the VGH referral pathway, including off-label indications and faster scheduling for self-funded patients.

Nearest Alternatives to Burnaby

If facilities in Burnaby are fully booked or you need access outside regular hours, these programmes serve the surrounding region.

Vancouver General Hospital

Vancouver, BC · 12 km west

MSP-covered hospital HBOT for BC. 24/7 emergency.

International Hyperbaric Health Centers

Richmond, BC · 20 km southwest

Alternative private HBOT in Metro Vancouver. Steveston area.

Foothills Medical Centre / Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Calgary, AB · Via interprovincial referral

Nearest western Canadian hospital alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions, HBOT in Burnaby

Questions below are drawn from what people actually search for about HBOT in Burnaby.

Does MSP cover HBOT at BaroMedical in Burnaby?

No. MSP does not cover HBOT at private clinics in BC. For MSP-covered HBOT, you need a referral to Vancouver General Hospital for a Health Canada-recognised condition. BaroMedical operates on a self-pay basis.

How much does HBOT cost in Burnaby?

At BaroMedical, sessions typically cost $175 to $350 depending on chamber type and clinical complexity. A full 40-session course runs $7,000 to $14,000. Confirm current pricing with the clinic directly.

How long is the wait for HBOT in Burnaby?

BaroMedical can typically begin assessment within 1 to 2 weeks of initial contact. Confirm current availability directly with the clinic. VGH wait times for elective MSP-covered indications are longer, typically 4 to 12 weeks.

Does BaroMedical treat off-label conditions like chronic TBI?

BaroMedical offers HBOT for off-label indications on a self-pay basis. Research evidence for HBOT on chronic TBI and post-concussion syndrome is mixed; consult both a neurologist and a hyperbaric physician before committing to a full treatment course.

Where is BaroMedical located in Burnaby?

7850 6th Street, Burnaby (near Edmonds SkyTrain). TransLink and free parking both work well. See the facility card above for full contact details.

Can I get HBOT for carbon monoxide poisoning at BaroMedical?

No. Emergency indications like carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and gas embolism require hospital-grade multiplace chamber capability. Call 911; EMS will transport to Vancouver General Hospital.

How long does an HBOT session last?

A standard session at BaroMedical runs 90 to 120 minutes including compression, treatment at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA, and decompression. Most protocols call for 20 to 40 daily sessions, 5 days per week; some radiation indications may require up to 60 sessions.

Is HBOT safe at a private clinic?

Yes, when delivered at an accredited facility with trained hyperbaric staff. BaroMedical operates under BC medical oversight. Common mild side effects include ear pressure during compression, temporary vision changes that resolve after treatment, and occasional claustrophobia.

What is the difference between mild hyperbaric chambers and clinical-grade HBOT in Burnaby?

Clinical-grade hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100 per cent oxygen at 2.0 to 2.8 ATA inside a Health Canada-licensed chamber. "Mild" or "soft" hyperbaric chambers (sometimes called "oxygen bars" or "recreational chambers") operate at 1.3 ATA or less, sometimes with ambient air rather than concentrated oxygen, and are not Health Canada-licensed for the 14 recognised clinical indications. The clinical evidence base for HBOT references pressures of 2.0 ATA and above; lower-pressure protocols do not produce the same dissolved-oxygen physiology. Provincial health plans cover treatment only at hospital programmes operating clinical-grade chambers; private clinics in Burnaby should disclose their chamber type and operating pressure on request.

How long are hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions in Burnaby?

A standard HBOT session at clinics and hospital programmes serving Burnaby lasts 90 to 120 minutes door-to-door: roughly 10 to 15 minutes for compression to treatment depth (typically 2.0 to 2.8 ATA), 60 to 90 minutes at treatment pressure, and 10 to 15 minutes for decompression. Patients change into chamber-safe cotton clothing, remove all electronics and oils or lotions, and either lie down in a monoplace chamber or sit in a multiplace chamber. Most chronic-condition courses run 20 to 40 sessions delivered daily or near-daily over 4 to 8 weeks; emergency indications use shorter, time-critical protocols.

What to expect at your first HBOT appointment

  1. 1

    Pre-screening and consultation

    A hyperbaric medicine physician reviews your referral and medical history. You may need a chest X-ray or ENT assessment to rule out pneumothorax or inability to equalize middle-ear pressure.

  2. 2

    Compression (10 to 15 minutes)

    Chamber pressure increases gradually to 2.0 to 2.4 ATA. Ear pressure sensation is normal; you equalize the same way you would on a plane (swallow, yawn, or a Valsalva manoeuvre).

  3. 3

    Treatment at depth (60 to 90 minutes)

    You breathe 100% oxygen through a mask or hood. Many patients doze, read, or watch TV. Air breaks every 20 to 30 minutes may be scheduled depending on the protocol.

  4. 4

    Decompression (10 to 15 minutes)

    Chamber pressure returns to surface. You may feel mild tiredness or temporary near-sightedness that typically resolves within hours to days after treatment course ends.

  5. 5

    Course length

    Most indications require 20 to 60 daily sessions. Plan for a weekday schedule spanning 4 to 12 weeks. You can typically drive yourself home after each session.

Private insurance and HBOT in British Columbia

Most Canadian extended-health insurance plans (Sun Life, Manulife, Green Shield, Canada Life) do not list hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a named covered service. Coverage sometimes applies when HBOT is billed as part of physician-supervised wound care, radiation oncology follow-up, or chronic pain management. Contact your plan administrator directly with the clinical indication and CPT or billing code your provider will use, and request a written pre-authorization before committing to a treatment course.

Travelling to Burnaby for HBOT

Many HBOT patients travel for treatment because hospital programmes are concentrated in a handful of Canadian cities. For a typical 20 to 40 session course, plan for four to twelve weeks of near-daily attendance at the facility.

Medical travel programmes may cover mileage, transit, or accommodation for patients travelling long distances within their home province or interprovincially:

  • Ontario: Northern Health Travel Grant for Northern Ontario residents
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: Medical Transportation Assistance Program (MTAP)
  • Nunavut: Government of Nunavut Medical Travel
  • Northwest Territories and Yukon: territorial medical travel assistance programmes
  • Veterans Affairs Canada may cover travel for service-related conditions

Accommodation: ask the treating hospital about on-site patient guesthouses or negotiated rates with nearby hotels. Many cancer centres maintain Hope Lodges or equivalent patient-family residences at reduced cost.

Interprovincial reciprocal billing generally covers medically necessary hospital-based HBOT for Canadians away from their home province. Confirm coverage details with your provincial plan before travelling.

HBOT in other British Columbia cities

Explore facility directories for other British Columbia cities covered by Canada Hyperbarics.

About this page

This page is maintained by the Canada Hyperbarics Research Team, an independent, institutionally-authored resource for evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy information in Canada. We do not accept paid placements, sponsorship, or advertising from any facility listed on this site.

Primary sources used in this page include Health Canada's Medical Device Active Licence Listing (MDALL), CUHMA Standards of Practice Guidelines, the UHMS Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (15th Edition, 2024), provincial health authority publications, and peer-reviewed clinical literature indexed on PubMed.

AI-assist disclosure: content on this page is drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the Canada Hyperbarics Research Team before publication, per our editorial policy. No individual author is credited; the institution is the author of record.

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