What Researchers Did
Researchers analyzed a US registry of 53 HBOT centres from 2013 to 2022 to calculate the actual Medicare cost of HBOT per patient and per treatment course, adjusted for inflation.
What They Found
The total cost for a standard 40-session HBOT course decreased by 15.6%, from $27,562 in 2013 to $23,834 in 2022. A single HBOT session cost $595.86 in 2022. Physician fees dropped 37.8% over this period. Costs for different conditions ranged from about $2,383 for crush injuries to $35,752 for diabetic foot ulcers requiring a full course.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified. In Ontario, HBOT for diabetic foot ulcers and delayed radiation injuries is OHIP-covered, so Canadian patients with those conditions should not face out-of-pocket costs at eligible facilities.
Study Limitations
US Medicare reimbursement rates do not directly translate to Canadian public or private HBOT pricing.