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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Vancouver

British Columbia. Vancouver General Hospital operates BC's only hospital hyperbaric programme, MSP-covered for recognised conditions. Details below.

View 1 Facility Cost & Coverage FAQ

Quick Answer

HBOT in Vancouver: Vancouver has one hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility: Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) operates the only hospital-based HBOT programme in British Columbia, serving the entire province for recognised indications. MSP covers HBOT at VGH for Health Canada-recognised conditions with a physician referral. Private HBOT is available in the Greater Vancouver area but not within Vancouver city limits. Sessions at VGH are fully covered; travel assistance is available for out-of-region patients.

Key facts at a glance

City:: Vancouver, British Columbia
Facilities:: 1 (1 hospital, 0 private)
Provincial plan:: MSP
Coverage:: Covers 14 conditions at hospital
Typical wait:: 4 to 12 weeks
Emergency:: 24/7 at VGH
Private cost:: $175 to $350 per session
Last updated:: April 23, 2026

Facilities

1 hospital · 0 private

Provincial Plan

MSP

Covers 14 conditions at hospital

Typical Wait

4 to 12 weeks

For elective indications

Emergency

24/7 at VGH

CO, air embolism, DCS

HBOT Facilities in Vancouver

MSP covers HBOT at Vancouver General Hospital for all Health Canada-recognised conditions. Physician referral required. Private HBOT is not MSP-covered and is available in neighbouring Burnaby and Richmond on a self-pay basis.

Independent directory, no paid placements learn more

Hospital Programmes, Provincial Coverage Available

Vancouver General Hospital

Hospital

Vancouver, BC

Only hospital HBOT in BC. Multiplace. 24/7.

604-875-4033 vch.ca →

How Much Does HBOT Cost in Vancouver?

HBOT at Vancouver General Hospital is fully MSP-covered for recognised indications with a physician referral. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the treatment itself; parking and transportation are the patient's responsibility. Private HBOT is available in nearby Burnaby and Richmond for off-label indications or faster access.

For an MSP-covered indication

$0 with physician referral

Fully covered with physician referral and a Health Canada-recognised indication. Travel assistance programme available for out-of-region patients through BC Health.

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. Per-session rates at private clinics in Greater Vancouver. Full treatment courses typically run 30 to 40 sessions. Confirm pricing 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 before starting.

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 Vancouver

For MSP-covered treatment, obtain a referral from your family physician or specialist to the VGH Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. Private clinics in Greater Vancouver accept self-referrals with a medical assessment.

1 Confirm your condition is one of the 14 Health Canada-recognised indications (diabetic foot ulcer, delayed radiation injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, osteoradionecrosis, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and similar).
2 Ask your family doctor or specialist for a referral to any Vancouver-area facility that bills MSP for HBOT. Pick a facility from the list above and share its contact details with the referring clinician.
3 The VGH unit triages referrals by clinical urgency. Emergency indications such as carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression sickness are treated immediately.
4 For elective indications, expect an initial assessment appointment before treatment begins. Wait times range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on clinical urgency.
5 If wait times are prohibitive or your indication is off the MSP-covered list, consider a private-pay clinic from the list above. Contact details are on each facility card.

Emergency HBOT Access in Vancouver

Time-critical hyperbaric indications in Vancouver, including carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, gas embolism, and necrotizing soft tissue infections, are treated as emergencies at Vancouver General Hospital.

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

Getting There & Accessibility

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

Vancouver General Hospital

855 West 12th Avenue, central Vancouver. Broadway-City Hall SkyTrain (Canada Line) is a 10-minute walk. TransLink buses 9 and 99 stop directly at the hospital. Paid patient parking on site; nearby Cambie Street parking is often cheaper.

Conditions Commonly Treated

VGH treats all 14 Health Canada-recognised conditions. In the Vancouver patient population, the most common referrals are for diabetic foot ulcers from the Lower Mainland's extensive wound-care network, delayed radiation injury following cancer treatment at BC Cancer, and decompression sickness from the active recreational and occupational diving community on the Pacific coast.

14 Health Canada-recognised conditions

Local Research Connection

Vancouver General Hospital's hyperbaric unit has contributed to Canadian clinical practice guidelines through CUHMA and has participated in research on hyperbaric medicine for radiation injury. The University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine maintains hyperbaric teaching affiliations with VGH for physician training.

Local Context

Vancouver General Hospital operates the only hospital-based HBOT programme in British Columbia, making it the provincial referral centre for every MSP-eligible hyperbaric indication. The Blackmore Pavilion houses a multiplace chamber and serves divers injured along the entire BC coast as well as oncology patients from BC Cancer facilities across Metro Vancouver.

All 14 conditions Research database National coverage guide

Nearest Alternatives to Vancouver

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

BaroMedical Hyperbaric Oxygen Clinic

Burnaby, BC · 18 km east of downtown

Private self-pay clinic in Greater Vancouver. Broader indication acceptance.

International Hyperbaric Health Centers

Richmond, BC · 16 km south of downtown

Private self-pay clinic. Steveston area.

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

Calgary, AB · AHS-covered option for patients referred interprovincially

Second-closest Canadian hospital HBOT programme. Used for interprovincial referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions, HBOT in Vancouver

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

Does MSP cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Vancouver?

Yes. MSP covers HBOT at Vancouver General Hospital for the 14 Health Canada-recognised conditions including diabetic foot ulcers, delayed radiation injury, carbon monoxide poisoning, and decompression sickness. A physician referral is required. Private HBOT clinics in Greater Vancouver are not MSP-covered.

How much does HBOT cost in Vancouver?

HBOT is free at Vancouver General Hospital if you have an MSP-covered indication and a physician referral. At private clinics in Greater Vancouver, sessions typically cost $175 to $350 depending on chamber type and clinical complexity. A typical 40-session course at a private clinic runs $7,000 to $14,000.

How do I get a referral for HBOT in Vancouver?

Ask your family physician or specialist for a referral to any Vancouver-area facility that bills MSP for HBOT. Urgent cases such as carbon monoxide poisoning or decompression sickness proceed as emergencies through the emergency department without requiring prior referral.

How long is the wait for HBOT at Vancouver General?

Emergency indications like carbon monoxide poisoning and air embolism are treated immediately. For elective indications, wait times at VGH typically range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on clinical urgency. Private clinics in Greater Vancouver generally have shorter wait times; confirm current availability directly with each clinic.

Can I get HBOT for chronic conditions like TBI or stroke recovery in Vancouver?

Chronic traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, and late-stage stroke are not among the 14 MSP-covered indications in BC. VGH treats only the approved list. Private clinics in Greater Vancouver offer HBOT for these conditions on a self-pay basis. The research evidence for HBOT on chronic TBI and stroke is mixed; consult both your treating neurologist and a hyperbaric physician.

How long does an HBOT session last?

A standard session at VGH runs 90 to 120 minutes including compression to 2.0 to 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.

Is HBOT safe?

Yes, when delivered at an accredited clinical facility. HBOT has a strong safety record. Common mild side effects include ear pressure during compression, temporary vision changes that resolve after treatment, and occasional claustrophobia. Serious complications are rare at Canadian facilities, which enforce strict no-flammables protocols.

Where do divers from BC go for decompression sickness?

Vancouver General Hospital is the designated emergency hyperbaric facility for decompression sickness anywhere on the BC coast. The Royal Canadian Navy CFB Esquimalt also operates chambers near Victoria for military diving casualties. Always call 911 first; BC Emergency Health Services will coordinate air or ground transport.

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

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 Vancouver should disclose their chamber type and operating pressure on request.

How long are hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions in Vancouver?

A standard HBOT session at clinics and hospital programmes serving Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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.

Burnaby 1 Richmond 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