Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Hill Country Wound Care San Antonio

Hill Country Wound Care and Hyperbarics provides physician-supervised hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) at three locations in Greater San Antonio, Texas: Bulverde at 32357 US 281, Bulverde, TX 78163 (phone: 830-743-9728); Live Oak at 12215 Toepperwein Road, Live Oak, TX 78233 (phone: 210-610-8154); and Southwest San Antonio at 7127 Somerset Rd, San Antonio, TX 78211 (phone: 210-626-8201). Our board-certified hyperbaric physicians and HBOT-certified staff provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for FDA-cleared indications including diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue injuries, and osteomyelitis.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a FDA-cleared medical treatment where patients breathe 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber at 2-3 times normal atmospheric pressure. This delivers 10-15 times more oxygen to damaged tissue than normal breathing, promoting healing of chronic wounds, fighting infection, and stimulating new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis). During a typical 60-120 minute session, patients lie comfortably in a clear monoplace or multiplace chamber while breathing medical-grade oxygen under physician supervision.

HBOT Mechanism of Action

Under increased atmospheric pressure (2-3 ATA), oxygen dissolves directly into blood plasma at concentrations 10-15 times higher than normal. This oxygen-rich plasma reaches damaged, oxygen-starved tissue even where red blood cells cannot pass. The resulting hyperoxygenation promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), enhances white blood cell effectiveness against infection, reduces inflammation at the cellular level, stimulates fibroblast activity for collagen production, and accelerates wound healing through improved tissue oxygenation.

FDA-Cleared Indications for HBOT

Medicare and most major insurance plans cover HBOT for these FDA-cleared indications: Wagner Grade 3+ diabetic foot ulcers (neuropathic, ischemic, or neuroischemic ulcers that have failed 30 days of standard wound care); delayed radiation tissue injury including osteoradionecrosis (particularly of the jaw), radiation cystitis, radiation proctitis, and soft tissue radionecrosis; refractory osteomyelitis (chronic bone infection unresponsive to standard antibiotic and surgical treatment); compromised skin grafts and flaps (to improve graft survival and reduce necrosis); gas gangrene (clostridial myonecrosis); crush injuries and acute traumatic ischemia; idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss; and carbon monoxide poisoning.

HBOT Treatment Protocol

Typical HBOT treatment involves 20-40 sessions depending on the condition being treated. Each session lasts 60-120 minutes including compression and decompression time. Patients breathe 100% oxygen at 2.0-2.5 ATA (atmospheres absolute). Treatment frequency is typically once daily, Monday through Friday. Patients may read, watch television, or rest during sessions. Most patients experience only mild ear pressure during compression, relieved by yawning or swallowing. No special preparation is required, though patients should avoid petroleum-based products, wear cotton clothing, and refrain from tobacco use before sessions.

HBOT Benefits and Outcomes

For FDA-cleared indications, HBOT provides five primary therapeutic benefits: accelerates wound healing by delivering 10-15 times more oxygen to damaged tissue; reduces swelling and inflammation at the cellular level; improves circulation by stimulating angiogenesis and new blood vessel growth; fights infection by enhancing white blood cell effectiveness and oxygen-dependent bacterial killing; and boosts tissue oxygenation to support cellular repair and regeneration. Clinical studies demonstrate significantly improved healing rates for diabetic foot ulcers, reduced need for amputation, and enhanced recovery from radiation tissue injuries when HBOT is added to standard wound care.

HBOT Safety and Side Effects

HBOT is generally safe when administered by trained hyperbaric physicians. The most common side effect is mild ear pressure (barotrauma) during compression, typically relieved by yawning, swallowing, or the Valsalva maneuver. Rare complications include temporary vision changes (myopic shift), oxygen toxicity seizures (extremely rare at therapeutic pressures), and claustrophobia. Our HBOT-certified physicians screen all patients for contraindications including untreated pneumothorax, certain chemotherapy agents, and severe COPD with CO2 retention. All sessions are physician-supervised with continuous monitoring.

Insurance Coverage for HBOT

Medicare Part B covers HBOT for FDA-cleared indications including Wagner Grade 3+ diabetic foot ulcers, radiation tissue injuries, and refractory osteomyelitis. Most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Humana provide coverage for approved indications. Our care coordinators verify insurance benefits and obtain prior authorizations before treatment begins. Self-pay options and payment plans are available for uninsured patients. Visit our Insurance page or call our billing line at (830) 371-1080 for billing assistance.

Why Choose Hill Country Wound Care for HBOT

Board-certified hyperbaric physicians oversee all HBOT treatments. Our physicians are members of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and maintain current certification in hyperbaric medicine. We operate three fully equipped HBOT suites across our San Antonio locations with state-of-the-art monoplace and multiplace chambers. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates HBOT with comprehensive wound care including debridement, advanced dressings, cellular tissue products, and vascular optimization. Most patients are evaluated within 48 hours of referral. We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans with comprehensive prior authorization support.

How to Schedule an HBOT Consultation

Patients can self-refer or be referred by their primary care physician, wound care specialist, vascular surgeon, radiation oncologist, or other healthcare provider. Call (210) 610-8154 to schedule an HBOT evaluation at any of our three locations. Online appointment requests are available through our Contact page. Most patients are evaluated within 48 hours. Our physicians will determine if your condition meets FDA-cleared criteria for HBOT and discuss treatment expectations, session frequency, and insurance coverage during your consultation.