A plain-language guide for patients and referring providers in Sudbury and Northern Ontario.
When people first hear about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a common reaction is: “Oxygen can be a medical treatment?” It can. In Ontario, OHIP-funded HBOT is based on medical eligibility — not on interest, personal preference, or general wellness goals. One of the most frequent questions we hear at Sudbury Hyperbarics and Wound Care is simply: “Will HBOT be covered by OHIP?” The honest answer is that it depends on your diagnosis, your medical history, a clinical evaluation, and whether your condition fits the approved criteria.
This article explains what OHIP-funded HBOT is, why eligibility criteria exist, the conditions that may qualify, and how to prepare for an eligibility assessment.
What is OHIP-funded HBOT?
OHIP is Ontario’s public health insurance plan. Ontario hospital-based hyperbaric programs describe HBOT as OHIP-funded only for specific approved medical conditions — not for off-label or self-pay wellness uses. For example, The Ottawa Hospital’s Hyperbaric Medicine Unit states that it follows evidence-based, OHIP-funded guidelines and does not treat off-label or self-pay indications.
HBOT involves breathing close to 100% medical-grade oxygen while inside an enclosed, pressurized chamber. Regular air is about 21% oxygen; during HBOT, once the chamber reaches the prescribed pressure, the patient breathes 100% oxygen. This allows oxygen-rich plasma to reach tissues that are deprived of oxygen, which may support healing, help the body fight certain infections, and reduce swelling.
Importantly, not all conditions qualify. Health Canada recognizes HBOT as effective for 14 specific conditions, and it specifically warns that there is no scientific proof for claims that HBOT treats conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, cancer, AIDS, stroke, or migraine headaches. OHIP-funded HBOT is an evidence-based, adjunctive medical treatment — not a wellness or experimental service.
Why eligibility criteria matter
Eligibility criteria exist to protect patients. Like any medical treatment, HBOT has benefits, limitations, and risks. Hyperbaric chambers are licensed medical devices that require trained operators, proper installation, and access to a certified hyperbaric physician. Because high concentrations of oxygen under pressure can pose a fire risk, safe delivery depends on the right setting and the right team.
That is also why the clinic you choose matters. Sudbury Hyperbarics and Wound Care is a medical team focused specifically on HBOT and wound care, with the goal of providing safe, evidence-based, patient-centred care tailored to each person. So a more useful question than “Can I try HBOT?” is: “Do I have a medically approved condition where HBOT may be appropriate for me?”
The conditions recognized for HBOT
Health Canada recognizes the following 14 conditions as ones for which HBOT may be effective. In Ontario, hospital-based programs describe these same categories of approved conditions as the basis for OHIP-funded HBOT:
- Non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers and other selected problem wounds
- Delayed radiation injury (radiation damage to soft tissue or bone)
- Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Exceptional blood loss (anemia)
- Air or gas embolism
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Gas gangrene
- Crush injury, compartment syndrome, and other acute traumatic ischemia (for example, frostbite)
- Decompression sickness
- Intracranial abscess
- Necrotizing soft tissue infections
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Compromised skin grafts and flaps
- Thermal burns
Some of these are emergencies and some are chronic conditions. Some require urgent referral, while others call for detailed specialist documentation. In every case, a clinical assessment is essential.
Eligibility is more than a diagnosis
Appearing on the list of recognized conditions is a starting point — not automatic qualification. For example, a wound may need documentation showing that it is non-healing, complex, or related to diabetes; a radiation injury case may require details of the original cancer treatment plus current symptoms; and sudden hearing loss requires a proper diagnosis and attention to timing.
In general, eligibility for OHIP-funded HBOT can depend on:
- A confirmed diagnosis
- The severity and duration of the condition
- Treatments that have already been tried
- Whether HBOT is appropriate at this stage of care
- Any risks or contraindications
- Whether the patient can tolerate the chamber
- Whether the necessary documentation is available
Sudbury Hyperbarics and Wound Care guides both patients and referring providers through this intake process and offers referral options on its website, including a downloadable form and an online form.
Common OHIP-funded scenarios
Non-healing wounds and diabetic foot ulcers
Diabetes can affect circulation, nerve function, immunity, and the body’s ability to heal. When oxygen-deficient tissue needs additional support, HBOT may be an option within a comprehensive wound-management plan. Our clinic also provides wound care services, so HBOT can be considered alongside other treatments when clinically appropriate.
Delayed radiation injury
Radiation therapy can sometimes damage healthy tissue near the treated area, with symptoms that may appear months or even years later. For soft-tissue or bone radiation injury, HBOT may be used to support healing and tissue oxygenation. For many cancer survivors, this can be an emotional step — and one we approach with care.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss can be frightening, and timing matters. If you experience sudden hearing loss, seek urgent medical care right away. For idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss that meets the criteria, HBOT may be considered as part of treatment.
Compromised skin grafts and flaps
When a graft or flap is not healing well, oxygen delivery to the tissue becomes critical. HBOT may be considered for grafts and flaps that are medically compromised — it is not used routinely for normal surgical repairs. Eligibility depends on whether the tissue is genuinely compromised and whether HBOT fits the overall surgical plan.
Osteomyelitis and serious infections
Bone infection (osteomyelitis) can be difficult to cure, especially when chronic. HBOT may be an option in some severe infections, including necrotizing soft tissue infection and gas gangrene. It is not a substitute for antibiotics, surgery, wound care, or hospital management — it is used as an adjunct when clinically appropriate.
What to bring to an eligibility assessment
To help your team assess eligibility, it is useful to bring whatever of the following you have:
- A valid OHIP card
- Diagnosis and specialist notes
- Recent imaging and test results
- Wound measurements and notes
- A current medication list
- Diabetes history, if applicable
- Surgical history
- Radiation treatment history, if applicable
- ENT or audiology reports, if applicable
- Hospital discharge summaries
- A summary of treatments already tried
Not everyone will have every document, and that is okay. The most important step is to start the conversation.
The bottom line
For the right patient, at the right time, and with the right condition, OHIP-funded HBOT can be a valuable, evidence-based treatment. It is not appropriate for every diagnosis, it is not a wellness shortcut, and it is not something you need to figure out on your own. Sudbury Hyperbarics and Wound Care can help you understand your next steps — eligibility begins with a conversation, an evaluation, and the right documentation.
To ask a question or begin the process, call 705-806-8277 or visit sudburyhbot.ca. Please consult your physician about whether HBOT may be appropriate for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is HBOT fully covered by OHIP?
Not automatically. HBOT may be OHIP-funded when a patient meets the criteria for an approved indication — for example, non-healing wounds, delayed radiation injury, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, compromised grafts and flaps, osteomyelitis, and certain emergencies. Eligibility is determined through clinical assessment. - Do I need a referral?
A referral or supporting documentation is usually required. Our clinic offers both an online referral form and a downloadable paper form, and you are welcome to call us with questions. - Does OHIP cover HBOT for wellness, fatigue, anti-aging, or athletic recovery?
No. OHIP-funded HBOT is limited to approved medical conditions. It is not covered for general wellness, fatigue, anti-aging, or athletic recovery. - What if I have one of the listed conditions?
Having a listed condition is only the first step. A hyperbaric physician reviews your diagnosis, overall health, safety considerations, and documentation to determine whether HBOT is appropriate for you. - How do I contact the clinic?
Call 705-806-8277 or visit sudburyhbot.ca to use the contact and referral options on our website.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for assessment, diagnosis, or treatment by a qualified health professional. HBOT is used as an adjunctive, evidence-based treatment for specific approved conditions, and individual eligibility, suitability, and outcomes vary. Always consult your physician or a certified hyperbaric physician about your particular circumstances. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
References
- The Ottawa Hospital — Hyperbaric Medicine Unit, Services (OHIP-funded approved conditions).
- Health Canada — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (14 recognized conditions; 21% vs 100% oxygen; licensed medical devices; unproven-claims warning).
- Sudbury Hyperbarics and Wound Care — OHIP coverage and clinic information.
