International Hyperbaric Health Centers (IHHC)
PrivateRichmond, BC
Three ASME/PVHO certified multiplace chambers. Largest accommodates 6 patients. One of the longest-serving providers in Greater Vancouver.
RMD
Covered
1 facility
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Richmond
British Columbia. Richmond hosts a private HBOT clinic in the Steveston area. MSP hospital HBOT is at Vancouver General.
Quick Answer
In short, HBOT in Richmond: Richmond has one hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility: International Hyperbaric Health Centers (IHHC) on Horseshoe Way in the Steveston area. MSP-covered hospital HBOT is at Vancouver General Hospital (about 16 km north). Private sessions at IHHC typically cost $150 to $400 and can usually begin within one to two weeks.
Key facts at a glance
| City | Richmond, 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 | $150 to $400 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 Richmond
MSP covers HBOT at Vancouver General Hospital for Health Canada-recognised conditions. Physician referral required. IHHC in Richmond 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 Richmond?
IHHC in Richmond offers private self-pay HBOT with shorter wait times and broader indication acceptance than Vancouver General. For MSP-covered treatment, referral is to VGH.
For an MSP-covered indication
$0 with physician referral
MSP-covered HBOT is delivered at Vancouver General Hospital, 16 km north of Richmond. Physician referral required.
Private-pay option
$150 to $400 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 IHHC. Package pricing may apply for longer courses. Confirm with the clinic directly.
Note: A 40-session private course typically totals $6,000 to $16,000. Extended health plans in BC rarely cover HBOT; confirm with your plan administrator.
For Patients
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy cost in Canada: all 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 Richmond
IHHC 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 Confirm your condition and desired indication (recognised list vs. off-label).
- 2 For MSP-covered treatment, ask your family physician for a referral to the VGH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit.
- 3 For private self-pay or off-label HBOT, contact IHHC directly for an initial medical assessment.
- 4 Bring medical history, current medications, and any imaging or specialist reports relevant to your condition.
- 5 Discuss protocol and financial planning with the clinic before committing to a full course.
Emergency HBOT Access in Richmond
Richmond does not have a hospital HBOT programme. Time-critical indications from Richmond 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.
International Hyperbaric Health Centers (IHHC)
12180 Horseshoe Way, Unit 4, Richmond (Steveston area). TransLink buses serve the area; short drive from the Canada Line Brighouse station (about 10 km). Free on-site parking.
Conditions Commonly Treated
IHHC treats the full range of Health Canada-recognised indications plus off-label conditions on a self-pay basis. The clinic's referral mix reflects Richmond's demographic and geographic positioning: diabetic foot ulcer maintenance from the Vancouver Coastal Health wound-care network, delayed radiation injury after BC Cancer Vancouver treatment, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and a substantial proportion of medical tourism volume for off-label indications such as chronic Lyme disease, post-concussion syndrome, and adjunctive cancer care arriving via YVR international arrivals. Steveston's residual commercial fishing community generates occasional decompression-sickness referrals from working divers on the Strait of Georgia and Fraser River estuary, although those acute presentations route to Vancouver General Hospital's multiplace chamber rather than IHHC's outpatient setting.
Health Canada-recognised conditions covered in Richmond
Air or Gas Embolism, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Gas Gangrene, Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome & 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, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Local Context
International Hyperbaric Health Centers (IHHC) is located in Unit 4 at 12180 Horseshoe Way in the southwest corner of Richmond, set within a small commercial business park about 1.5 km north of the historic Steveston Village waterfront and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. The Steveston location places IHHC closer to Vancouver International Airport (about 8 km north via Highway 99) than any other private HBOT clinic in Western Canada, a geographic accident that has made the clinic a regular destination for medical tourism patients arriving on direct flights from East Asia, particularly Hong Kong and Mainland China. Richmond Hospital, operated by Vancouver Coastal Health on Gilbert Road, is the local acute-care facility but does not deliver hyperbaric oxygen therapy; MSP-covered HBOT routes 16 km north across the Fraser River via the Oak Street or Knight Street bridges to Vancouver General Hospital. Richmond's geography (tidal river delta, the lowest-elevation municipality on the Lower Mainland, with the dyke trail system encircling the islands) sets a notably different patient demographic from Burnaby: Statistics Canada census data shows over 50 per cent of Richmond residents identify as having Asian heritage, with significant Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking populations.
Recent research relevant to Richmond referrals
Latest HBOT evidence in the conditions most commonly treated in Richmond
Curated weekly from our database of 14,499+ peer-reviewed studies, weighted toward Canadian-affiliated research and the condition referral patterns served in Richmond.
2022 ·JAMA Otolaryngol ·Canadian-affiliated ·Tier 1 evidence
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Read summary →
2025 ·The Laryngoscope ·Canadian-affiliated
Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy or Intratympanic Steroids in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Read summary →
2012 ·Otolaryngol Clin North Am ·Canadian-affiliated
Evidence-based practice: management of adult sensorineural hearing loss
Read summary →
2007 ·Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery ·Canadian-affiliated
Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: I. A systematic review.
Read summary →
2026 ·Laryngoscope ·Tier 1 evidence
Hyperbaric Oxygen and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Read summary →
Patient logistics · Richmond
Approximate drive times to HBOT facilities from Richmond
Off-peak driving estimates. Treatment courses typically run 4 to 12 weeks of near-daily attendance, so a realistic round-trip estimate matters when planning.
Steveston → International Hyperbaric (IHHC)
5min
2 km · Steveston Highway
Brighouse → International Hyperbaric (IHHC)
12min
8 km · No. 3 Road
Ironwood → Vancouver General Hospital
30min
20 km · Oak Street Bridge + Cambie
Estimates only. Confirm via your preferred routing service before travel.
Local referral pathways · Richmond
Where Richmond clinicians refer patients for HBOT
Most HBOT referrals start with a specialist who first identifies the underlying condition. The institutions below are local entry points patients in Richmond commonly pass through before reaching a hyperbaric programme.
Audiology & ENT
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (14-day HBOT window)
Richmond Hospital Ambulatory Care Outpatient Services
7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A2 · 604-278-9711
Richmond Hospital is the Vancouver Coastal Health acute-care hub for the city; family physicians and walk-in clinics in Brighouse, Steveston, and the YVR corridor refer adults with sudden sensorineural hearing loss through the hospital's outpatient ENT referral pathway, which routes to VCH ENT services at Vancouver General Hospital. SSNHL carries a narrow 14-day HBOT eligibility window, so rapid escalation through this facility is the critical first link in the chain.
Verified 2026-05-30
VCH Ear, Nose and Throat Clinics at Vancouver General Hospital
2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 · 604-875-4760
Richmond has no standalone adult ENT clinic, so SSNHL cases from the city funnel here via physician referral through the Vancouver Coastal Health network. The Neuro-Otology sub-clinic accepts urgent ENT referrals with biweekly emergency slots and is the facility that formally determines HBOT eligibility before routing to VGH's Hyperbaric Medicine Unit on the same campus.
Verified 2026-05-30
Oncology & Cancer Centres
Delayed radiation injury referrals
Cancer Care Clinic at Richmond Hospital
7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A2 · 604-244-5565
Richmond's dedicated in-hospital oncology day programme administers approximately 5,000 IV chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy treatments each year and is the local follow-up hub for cancer patients across the city, including the large Chinese-Canadian and South Asian communities near Brighouse and the YVR corridor. Patients who develop delayed radiation injury after earlier radiotherapy are a primary HBOT referral population; oncology nurses here are a key professional contact for that pathway.
Verified 2026-05-30
600 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6 · 604-877-6000
Richmond patients requiring radiation therapy are referred to this centre, the nearest BC Cancer facility with full external-beam and brachytherapy capability, since Richmond Hospital does not deliver radiotherapy on-site. Follow-up care for delayed radiation injury to soft tissue, bone, or bowel, the top elective HBOT indication, originates from this programme and routes to the VGH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, 14 minutes away within Vancouver Coastal Health.
Verified 2026-05-30
Wound Care Programs
Diabetic foot ulcers & non-healing wounds
Richmond Community Health Access Centre Home Health
7671 Alderbridge Way, Richmond, BC V6X 1Z9 · 604-675-3644
The Richmond Community Health Access Centre is the primary Vancouver Coastal Health community wound care hub for the city, housing the Richmond Home Health ambulatory nursing programme that provides assessment, total contact casting for diabetic foot ulcers, and ongoing wound management for non-healing wounds without a hospital admission. HBOT-eligible diabetic foot ulcer and arterial-ulcer cases that exceed community capacity escalate to VGH's Hyperbaric Medicine Unit via the VCH network.
Verified 2026-05-30
Richmond Hospital Ambulatory Care Wound and IV Therapy
7000 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 1A2 · 604-278-9711
Richmond Hospital's Ambulatory Care unit provides hospital-level wound assessment and intravenous therapy alongside cast clinic, hand clinic, and minor surgical wound procedures, the next step up from community Home Health for complex or post-surgical wounds. Patients with non-healing wounds unresponsive to standard treatment are identified and referred onward through the VCH network to the VGH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit for HBOT evaluation.
Verified 2026-05-30
Diving Medicine Examiners
Fitness-to-dive & decompression follow-up
505-1160 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2E8 · 604-683-0206
The closest WorkSafeBC-listed dive medicine examiner serving Richmond's commercial and recreational diver population, including the Steveston fishing fleet, one of BC's largest working harbours. The clinic performs full Occupational Diver Medical Fitness Examinations (history, physical, ECG, spirometry, audiometry, bloodwork) required for WorkSafeBC diver certification. Divers presenting with post-decompression illness are evaluated here before referral to VGH's Hyperbaric Medicine Unit for recompression therapy.
Verified 2026-05-30
Independent directory. No paid placements. Listings are for navigation only; confirm current details with each institution directly.
Nearest Alternatives to Richmond
Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, BC · 16 km north
MSP-covered hospital HBOT for BC. 24/7 emergency.
BaroMedical Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic
Burnaby, BC · 25 km east
Alternative private HBOT in Greater Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions, HBOT in Richmond
Does MSP cover HBOT at IHHC?
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. IHHC operates on a self-pay basis.
How much does HBOT cost in Richmond?
At IHHC, sessions typically cost $150 to $400 depending on chamber type and clinical complexity. A full 40-session course runs $6,000 to $16,000.
How long is the wait for HBOT in Richmond?
IHHC can typically begin assessment within 1 to 2 weeks. Confirm current availability directly with the clinic.
Does IHHC treat off-label conditions?
Yes, on a self-pay basis. Research evidence for HBOT on off-label conditions like chronic TBI is mixed; consult both a relevant specialist and a hyperbaric physician before committing to a treatment course.
Where is IHHC located in Richmond?
12180 Horseshoe Way, Unit 4, in the Steveston area. Free on-site parking; TransLink serves the area.
Can IHHC treat emergency indications?
No. Emergency indications 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 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. IHHC operates under BC medical oversight. Common mild side effects include ear pressure during compression and temporary vision changes that resolve after treatment.
What is the difference between mild hyperbaric chambers and clinical-grade HBOT in Richmond?
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 Richmond should disclose their chamber type and operating pressure on request.
How long are hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions in Richmond?
A standard HBOT session at clinics and hospital programmes serving Richmond 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 in Richmond
An HBOT session takes 90 to 120 minutes door-to-door at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA, with a standard treatment course of 20 to 60 daily weekday sessions. For the full session walkthrough, preparation checklist (what to wear, what to avoid before treatment), common side effects, chamber-type differences, and contraindications, see our What to expect from HBOT guide.
Travelling to Richmond for HBOT
A standard HBOT course runs 20 to 40 sessions over 4 to 12 weeks. For provincial medical travel grants (including the Northern Health Travel Grant, MTAP, and territorial programmes), Veterans Affairs Canada coverage, interprovincial reciprocal billing rules, and patient accommodation guidance specific to British Columbia, see our Canadian medical travel guide for HBOT patients.
HBOT in other British Columbia cities
About this page
This page is maintained by the Canada Hyperbarics Research Team, an independent resource for HBOT information in Canada. We accept no paid placements or sponsorship. Content is drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team before publication. See our full editorial policy for sourcing standards (Health Canada MDALL, CUHMA, UHMS 15th Edition, PubMed) and the AI-assist disclosure.