Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUETIONS
What to Expect
Helpful information to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident throughout your Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy experience. Learn what to expect before, during, and after treatment, including preparation, safety, and comfort. Explore the information below to better understand your treatment and what to expect at Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center.
Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Learn the fundamentals of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, including how it works, who may benefit, and what to consider when beginning treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment in which patients breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen inside a controlled, pressurized hyperbaric chamber. The increased atmospheric pressure allows the body to absorb significantly more oxygen than it can under normal conditions.
This increased oxygen availability supports the body’s natural healing processes by enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues, including areas where circulation may be limited. Treatment is provided under trained clinical supervision using established hyperbaric protocols.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used for a range of established medical indications, including delayed radiation injury, non-healing diabetic wounds, compromised grafts and flaps, refractory osteomyelitis, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
HBOT may also be considered for other conditions where emerging research and the therapeutic mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen may support healing, recovery, or wellness goals. Our clinical team evaluates each patient individually to determine whether HBOT may be appropriate as part of their care.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is generally well tolerated, but it may not be appropriate for everyone. An untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung) is an absolute contraindication, while certain medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, seizure history, and implanted medical devices may require additional evaluation or precautions.
Before beginning treatment, our clinical team reviews your medical history, medications, and individual risk factors to determine whether HBOT can be provided safely and appropriately.
Yes. A valid prescription (Rx) is required for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Your physician may send a prescription directly to our office, or our clinical team can assist with the appropriate evaluation and prescription process following a consultation.
During your consultation, we review your medical history, medications, and treatment goals. Certain medical conditions or implanted devices may require additional documentation or specialist clearance before treatment can begin.
The number of treatments varies based on your condition, treatment goals, and individual response to HBOT. Many treatment plans range from 10–40+ sessions, with treatments commonly scheduled multiple times per week to support the cumulative effects of therapy.
Our clinical team will recommend an individualized treatment plan based on your condition, response to therapy, and treatment goals.
Every patient responds differently to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. When benefits are noticed can vary depending on the condition being treated, overall health, treatment frequency, number of sessions completed, and individual response.
Because HBOT is often provided as a series of treatments, some therapeutic effects may develop progressively throughout the course of care.
During compression and decompression, you may notice pressure or fullness in your ears, similar to what you might experience during air travel or changes in elevation. Our hyperbaric team will guide you through techniques to help comfortably equalize the pressure in your ears.
Once treatment pressure is reached, most patients simply relax and enjoy their choice of streaming entertainment. Each patient can select a preferred show or movie from available services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, and YouTube, helping make the time in the chamber comfortable and enjoyable.
For your first appointment, please arrive approximately 30 minutes early to allow time for check-in, required paperwork, consultation, and a safety review before treatment.
Our team will review what to expect, answer your questions, and help prepare you for a safe and comfortable experience.
Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center operates three Sechrist medical-grade, FDA-cleared monoplace hyperbaric chambers designed for clinical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The clear acrylic design provides an open viewing environment while allowing our hyperbaric team to continuously monitor and communicate with patients throughout treatment.
Patients are comfortably positioned on a padded gurney with pillows and supportive positioning as needed. The gurney slides directly into the chamber, allowing for easy entry and exit without requiring patients to climb or crawl inside—particularly helpful for patients with limited mobility or recovering from surgery.
Once comfortably positioned, patients can relax and enjoy their choice of streaming entertainment throughout the session.
Patients breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen through a non-rebreather mask while inside the hyperbaric chamber.
Patient safety and cleanliness are an important part of every treatment. After each session, the hyperbaric chamber and patient-contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized using products specifically selected for compatibility with the hyperbaric environment.
Each patient is provided with an individual non-rebreather oxygen mask for their personal use throughout their course of treatment. Masks are cleaned after each session and returned to the patient to bring with them to each scheduled appointment.
Patient safety and comfort are central to every treatment at Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center. Patients are continuously monitored by trained hyperbaric personnel throughout each session and can communicate with staff at any time using the chamber’s two-way communication system.
Our safety protocols include:
- Continuous visual observation through the clear acrylic chamber
- Two-way communication with hyperbaric staff throughout treatment
- Ongoing monitoring of patient comfort and response to therapy
- Air breaks when clinically appropriate based on the prescribed treatment protocol
- Strict chamber safety requirements for clothing, personal items, electronics, and other restricted materials
- Established safety and emergency procedures followed by trained hyperbaric personnel
Our team reviews chamber safety with every patient.
An air break is a short period during certain Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments when the patient temporarily removes their oxygen mask and breathes the ambient air inside the chamber instead of 100% oxygen.
Air breaks may be incorporated into higher-pressure or longer treatment protocols to help manage oxygen exposure. When prescribed, they are carefully timed and monitored by our hyperbaric team as part of the patient’s treatment protocol.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is generally well tolerated when provided under appropriate medical supervision. As with any medical treatment, however, side effects and risks can occur.
Ear or Sinus Discomfort
Pressure changes may cause ear or sinus discomfort, similar to flying in an airplane. Our team provides guidance on equalization techniques and monitors patients throughout treatment.
Temporary Vision Changes
Some patients undergoing a series of treatments may experience temporary changes in vision. These changes typically improve after HBOT is completed.
Oxygen Toxicity
Although uncommon, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of oxygen can affect the lungs or central nervous system. Treatment protocols and scheduled air breaks, when appropriate, help manage oxygen exposure.
Individual risk factors are reviewed before treatment as part of the clinical evaluation.
Your Hyperbaric Experience
Know what to expect throughout your HBOT session, from your first appointment and chamber experience to oxygen delivery, safety monitoring, and treatment considerations.
Preparing for Hyperbaric Oxygen Threapy
Get ready for your HBOT sessions with simple preparation guidelines designed to support your safety and comfort throughout treatment.
For your safety, please arrive clean and free of lotions, perfumes, cosmetics, hair products, deodorants, and other potentially restricted products.
Before entering the chamber, you will be asked to remove personal items such as jewelry, electronics, hearing aids, dentures, wigs or hair extensions, and other items not approved for hyperbaric use.
Please inform our clinical team of any changes to your health, symptoms, or medications before each session.
For safety, patients are required to wear 100% cotton garments provided by our office during Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Cotton sheets, blankets, and pillows are also provided for comfort throughout treatment.
If you are traveling by air, we recommend allowing at least 24 hours between your flight and HBOT treatment to support your safety and allow your body time to adjust to changes in atmospheric pressure.
Please let our team know about upcoming air travel so we can help coordinate your treatment schedule appropriately.
The cost of HBOT varies based on the recommended treatment plan and number of sessions. Insurance coverage may be available for patients being treated for qualifying medical indications when medical necessity and plan requirements are met. For treatments that do not qualify for insurance coverage, Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center offers discounted self-pay rates and package options. Our team will review applicable costs and any anticipated patient responsibility before treatment begins.
Insurance coverage may be available for certain medically recognized HBOT indications when clinical criteria and documentation requirements are met. Scottsdale Hyperbaric Center currently works with Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, and select Cigna plans, as well as certain Medicare Advantage plans on a case-by-case basis.
Our insurance team will review your diagnosis, benefits, and medical documentation to help determine eligibility and any potential patient responsibility.
To begin insurance verification, call 480-590-5277 or have your referring provider fax your records to 480-590-6145.
Coverage and authorization are not guaranteed and are subject to individual plan benefits, medical necessity requirements, and payer approval.
We offer both insurance and discounted self-pay options for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Insurance coverage may be available for qualifying conditions based on individual plan benefits and medical necessity requirements.
We accept credit cards, HSA cards, cash, and checks. A 3.5% service fee applies to credit card payments, while cash and check payments have no additional processing fee. Applicable sales tax applies to retail purchases.
Our team will review applicable pricing, package options, and anticipated patient member responsibility.
To schedule or make changes to an appointment, please call our office at 480-590-5277. A credit card is required to secure your first appointment but will not be charged at the time of scheduling.
We require at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, missed appointments, or arrivals 15 minutes or more after the scheduled time may be subject to the full charge of the scheduled service.
Please contact us as soon as possible if your plans change so we can make the appointment available to another patient.
Insurance, Payment & Scheduling
Find helpful information about insurance coverage, payment options, and appointment policies to make planning and managing your HBOT care simple and straightforward.
Explore Your Hyperbaric Experience
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