Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edmonton | Canada Hyperbarics
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YEG Covered 2 facilities

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Edmonton

Alberta, HBOT at Misericordia Community Hospital covered by AHS, plus one private clinic. Costs, referral steps, and emergency access below.

View 2 Facilities Cost & Coverage FAQ

Quick Answer

HBOT in Edmonton: Edmonton has two hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilities: Misericordia Community Hospital (Covenant Health, part of Alberta Health Services) provides Alberta Health-covered HBOT with 24/7 emergency capability for recognised indications including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and delayed radiation injury. A private self-pay clinic also operates in Edmonton. Private sessions typically cost $200 to $350. See the facility list below for contact details.

Key facts at a glance

City:
Edmonton, Alberta
Facilities:
2 (1 hospital, 1 private)
Provincial plan:
AHS
Coverage:
Billing code 13.99I
Typical wait:
2–8 weeks (AHS elective)
Emergency:
24/7 (Misericordia)
Private cost:
$200–$350 / session
Last updated:

Facilities

2

1 hospital · 1 private

Provincial Plan

AHS

Billing code 13.99I

Typical Wait

2–8 weeks (AHS elective)

For elective indications

Emergency

24/7 (Misericordia)

CO, air embolism, DCS

HBOT Facilities in Edmonton

Alberta Health covers HBOT at Misericordia Community Hospital for recognised indications. Physician billing code 13.99I. The private Canora clinic operates on a self-pay basis.

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Hospital Programmes, Provincial Coverage Available

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 Edmonton?

AHS covers HBOT at Misericordia Community Hospital for recognised indications at no out-of-pocket cost with a physician referral. Edmonton also has a private self-pay clinic for broader indication acceptance and shorter wait times. See the facility list below for details.

For an AHS-covered indication

$0 with physician referral

Alberta Health-covered under billing code 13.99I with a physician referral for recognised indications.

Private-pay option

$200–$350 / 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 private Edmonton clinics. Package pricing may reduce per-session cost for longer treatment courses. Confirm pricing with the clinic directly.

Note: Alberta residents cannot use extended health benefits for HBOT unless specifically listed in their policy. Canora does not bill Alberta Health. Some patients arrange HBOT through Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) for work-related injuries, confirm eligibility with WCB Alberta.

How to Get a Referral for HBOT in Edmonton

For AHS-covered treatment at Misericordia, a physician referral is required. The AHS hyperbaric medicine team triages referrals by urgency. For Canora, direct booking with a medical assessment.

  1. 1 Confirm your condition is one of the Alberta Health-recognised indications (see the 14 Health Canada conditions).
  2. 2 Ask your family physician or specialist for a referral to any Edmonton-area facility that bills Alberta Health for HBOT. Pick a facility from the list above and share its contact details with the referring clinician.
  3. 3 The AHS team will schedule an initial assessment; emergency indications (CO poisoning, air embolism) are treated without prior referral.
  4. 4 For off-label conditions or faster scheduling, consider a private-pay clinic from the list above. Contact details are on each facility card.

Emergency HBOT Access in Edmonton

Edmonton's Misericordia Community Hospital is one of Alberta's two AHS emergency hyperbaric programmes. It serves Edmonton, northern Alberta, and is part of the provincial diving medicine response network.

Call 911 for any suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, or gas embolism. EMS will transport to the regional hospital hyperbaric medicine unit, which is on 24/7 standby. Alberta Health Link (811) can route non-emergency hyperbaric questions to the appropriate service. See the hospital facility card above for the specific Edmonton destination and contact information.

Getting There & Accessibility

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

Misericordia Community Hospital

16940 87 Avenue NW, west Edmonton. Served by ETS buses from downtown. Paid parking on site; free drop-off zone at main entrance.

Canora Medical & Hyperbaric Clinic

Near Misericordia on Stony Plain Road. Free on-site parking for patients.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Misericordia treats all AHS-approved indications including decompression sickness (diving and occupational), carbon monoxide poisoning, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and delayed radiation injury. Private clinics in Edmonton additionally offer treatment for a broader range of off-label conditions on a self-pay basis.

14 Health Canada-recognised conditions

Local Research Connection

The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine has historical involvement in Canadian hyperbaric medicine education. Edmonton patients with delayed radiation injuries from treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute are often referred to Misericordia for HBOT as part of their survivorship care plan.

Local Context

Edmonton has one of Alberta's two AHS hospital hyperbaric programmes (the other is in Calgary). Misericordia serves Edmonton, northern Alberta, and is a referral destination for northern Alberta and the NWT.

All 14 conditions Research database National coverage guide

Nearest Alternatives to Edmonton

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

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

Calgary, AB · 3 hours south

Alberta's second AHS hyperbaric programme. Mon–Fri outpatient.

Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital

Moose Jaw, SK · 8 hours east

Nearest Saskatchewan hospital HBOT programme. Subject to staffing availability; confirm current chamber status with SHA.

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Frequently Asked Questions, HBOT in Edmonton

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

How much does hyperbaric oxygen therapy cost in Edmonton?

At Misericordia Community Hospital, HBOT is covered by Alberta Health with a physician referral for recognised indications, no out-of-pocket cost. At private Edmonton clinics, sessions typically cost $200 to $350 each depending on chamber type and treatment plan. See the facility list above for contact details.

Does Alberta Health cover HBOT in Edmonton?

Yes. Alberta Health covers HBOT at Misericordia Community Hospital for recognised indications under physician billing code 13.99I. A referral is required. Coverage applies to the 14 Health Canada-recognised conditions, Canora private clinic does not accept Alberta Health billing.

How do I get a referral for HBOT at Misericordia?

Ask your family physician or specialist to refer you to the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Misericordia Community Hospital (780-735-2537). The AHS team triages referrals by urgency. Emergency indications like carbon monoxide poisoning or decompression sickness are treated immediately without prior referral.

Does Edmonton treat decompression sickness from diving?

Yes. Misericordia Community Hospital provides 24/7 emergency treatment for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. For diving emergencies call 911 or Alberta Health Link at 811 to be routed to the hyperbaric unit.

How long does an HBOT session last?

A typical session at Misericordia or Canora lasts 90 to 120 minutes, including compression to 2.0–2.4 ATA, treatment breathing 100% oxygen, and decompression. Most clinical protocols call for 20 to 40 daily sessions, 5 days per week; some radiation indications (cystitis, proctitis) may require up to 60 sessions.

Can I buy a hyperbaric chamber for home use?

Portable soft-sided chambers are sold in Alberta for home use, but they operate at 1.3 ATA with ambient air, not the 2.0+ ATA with 100% oxygen used in clinical HBOT. Soft chambers are not licensed by Health Canada for the 14 recognised medical indications. For any clinically indicated condition, hospital-based or accredited private HBOT is the only evidence-based option.

Is HBOT covered by WCB for work-related injuries?

WCB Alberta covers HBOT for work-related conditions including carbon monoxide exposure (industrial), decompression sickness (commercial divers), and crush injuries. Coverage is assessed case-by-case. Contact WCB Alberta directly for pre-authorization before treatment begins.

Can I sleep in a hyperbaric chamber?

Many patients doze during HBOT sessions, it is safe to rest with eyes closed. Full sleep is uncommon because of the mild pressure changes and oxygen mask. Clinic staff monitor patients continuously throughout the session.

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 Alberta

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 Edmonton 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 Alberta cities

Explore facility directories for other Alberta cities covered by Canada Hyperbarics.

Calgary 1

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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