Steveston fishing village at sunset with wooden docks, fishing boats, and the Strait of Georgia

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.

View 1 Facility Cost & Coverage FAQ

Quick Answer

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 $175 to $350 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:: $175 to $350 per session
Last updated:: April 23, 2026

Facilities

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.

International Hyperbaric Health Centers (IHHC)

Private

Richmond, BC

Three ASME/PVHO certified multiplace chambers. Largest accommodates 6 patients. Longest-serving provider in Greater Vancouver.

604-277-8608 internationalhyperbaric.com →

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

$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 IHHC. 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 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. Richmond has a multicultural population with extensive connections to Asia, and the clinic serves patients seeking HBOT options outside their home health systems.

14 Health Canada-recognised conditions

Local Context

IHHC is Richmond's private HBOT provider, located in the historic Steveston fishing village area. It serves south Metro Vancouver patients and is conveniently located for travellers near Vancouver International Airport.

All 14 conditions Research database National coverage guide

Nearest Alternatives to Richmond

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

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

Questions below are drawn from what people actually search for about 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 $175 to $350 depending on chamber type and clinical complexity. A full 40-session course runs $7,000 to $14,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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 Richmond 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.

Vancouver 1 Burnaby 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.

Last reviewed: April 23, 2026 Last updated: April 23, 2026 Submit a correction Full editorial policy