Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS)
In Canada and the USA the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) determines which treatment indications should and should not be covered for reimbursement by medical insurance. Currently there are 14 categories of approved indications that qualify for reimbursement in Canada and the USA. Most of these indications are serious emergency conditions which must be acted on immediately. However, there are some that are chronic conditions, that are stable or that occur in stages. In British Colombia, if you feel you may qualify under one of these 14 approved categories have your doctor fill out a Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Hyperbaric Unit Referral Form. You may qualify for treatment that is covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) but you must undergo treatment at VGH. If you do not qualify for treatment or are not wanting to travel to VGH for treatment and your condition is not an emergency situation, we may be able to help.
Internationally, HBOT is approved for many more conditions. For example, China has over 60 conditions or categories of conditions approved for treatment with HBOT
Internationally, HBOT is approved for many more conditions. For example, China has over 60 conditions or categories of conditions approved for treatment with HBOT
14 Approved Indications
- Air or Gas Embolism
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning / CO Poisoning Complicated by Cyanide Poisoning
- Gas Gangrene (Clostridial Myositis and Myonecrosis)
- Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome and Other Acute Traumatic Ischemias
- Decompression Sickness
- Arterial Insufficiencies
- Severe Anemia
- Intracranial Abscess
- Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
- Refractory Osteomyelitis
- Delayed Radiation Injury
- Compromised Grafts and Flaps
- Acute Thermal Burn Injury
- Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
