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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Los Angeles: What to Know Before You Start

Looking for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Los Angeles? OxygenWell is physician-owned, FDA-approved, Medicare accepted, with 50,000+ sessions in Sherman Oaks and Calabasas.
May 23, 2026
Health Insights

TLDR

Los Angeles has no shortage of hyperbaric oxygen therapy centers — but not all HBOT is equal. Medical-grade HBOT requires specific pressure levels, genuine medical-grade oxygen, physician leadership, and FDA-approved equipment. OxygenWell in Sherman Oaks and Calabasas is one of the only physician-owned HBOT facilities in Los Angeles operating at up to 2.4 ATA with 100% medical-grade oxygen, accepted by Medicare and most PPO insurance plans for qualifying conditions. This guide covers what HBOT is, who it helps, and what to look for when choosing a provider in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment in which a patient breathes 100% pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber at greater than normal atmospheric pressure. The increased pressure — typically 1.5 to 2.4 atmospheres absolute (ATA) — causes oxygen to dissolve directly into the blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph, and tissues at concentrations 10–15 times higher than normal breathing delivers.

This dramatically elevated tissue oxygen level triggers a cascade of biological effects: new blood vessel formation, stem cell mobilization, reduction of inflammation, accelerated wound healing, enhanced immune function, and support for neurological repair.

How HBOT Works

The physics of HBOT follow Henry's Law: the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid is proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. At 2.4 ATA, oxygen partial pressure is 2.4 times higher than at sea level, forcing far more oxygen into plasma than hemoglobin alone can carry.

This matters enormously in conditions where blood flow is compromised — diabetic wounds, radiation-damaged tissue, post-surgical recovery, or neurological injury. In these cases, hemoglobin-bound oxygen cannot reach the affected tissue. Plasma-dissolved oxygen can — because it diffuses into tissue without requiring functioning blood vessels.

Repeated HBOT sessions produce long-lasting biological changes that persist well after treatment ends:

Conditions Treated with HBOT in Los Angeles

FDA-Approved, Insurance-Covered Conditions

  • Diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner Grade 3+)
  • Delayed radiation injuries (osteoradionecrosis, radiation cystitis, soft tissue radionecrosis, radiation proctitis)
  • Chronic osteomyelitis
  • Compromised skin grafts and flaps
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Central retinal artery occlusion
  • Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
  • Crush injuries and acute traumatic ischemia
  • Gas gangrene and necrotizing soft tissue infections
  • Thermal burns
  • Air or gas embolism
  • Exceptional blood loss (anemia)

Off-Label and Wellness Applications

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion
  • Stroke recovery
  • Long COVID
  • Neurological conditions: MS, Parkinson's, autism spectrum
  • Lyme disease and post-infectious syndromes
  • Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
  • Post-surgical recovery (cosmetic and orthopedic)
  • Anti-aging and longevity optimization
  • Sports performance and athletic recovery
  • Cancer support (adjunct to conventional treatment)

Insurance Coverage for HBOT in Los Angeles

OxygenWell accepts Medicare and most PPO insurance plans for FDA-approved HBOT conditions. A physician referral is required for insurance-covered treatment. Our team handles all insurance verification and pre-authorization paperwork before your first session.

For off-label or wellness HBOT, treatment is self-pay. OxygenWell offers membership programs and package options to make regular treatment accessible. Call (818) 661-0939 or visit oxygenwell.com to verify your coverage.

What to Look for in an LA Hyperbaric Oxygen Center

1. What pressure do your chambers reach?

For serious medical conditions, the therapeutic threshold is 2.0–2.4 ATA. Many wellness centers in LA operate at 1.3–1.5 ATA — insufficient for clinical wound healing or insurance-covered conditions. Ask: "Is your chamber rated to 2.4 ATA and do you routinely operate at that pressure?"

2. Do you use 100% medical-grade oxygen?

A standard 10-liter oxygen concentrator does not deliver the same concentration or flow rate as a medical-grade high-flow oxygen system. Ask your provider how oxygen is sourced and delivered.

3. Is the facility physician-owned?

California law requires hyperbaric oxygen facilities to be physician-owned. A physician-owned facility can accept insurance for qualifying conditions. If a center is not physician-owned, it cannot legally bill Medicare or PPO insurance for HBOT in California.

4. Are the chambers FDA-approved?

FDA-approved monoplace hyperbaric chambers are the clinical standard. Soft-sided "hyperbaric" tents or portable chambers cannot deliver the pressures required for clinical outcomes and are not FDA-approved for medical HBOT.

5. Who supervises sessions?

Sessions should be supervised by Certified Hyperbaric Technicians (CHTs) — ideally EMT-certified — with physician oversight available on-site.

Why Patients Choose OxygenWell

OxygenWell was founded by Dr. Beth Meneley, DAOM, L.Ac., with 25+ years in integrative and functional medicine and 12+ years dedicated to hyperbaric medicine in Los Angeles. Over 50,000 HBOT sessions delivered under her clinical direction.

  • FDA-approved Fortius 420 chambers rated to 2.4 ATA
  • 100% medical-grade oxygen via high-flow delivery system
  • Physician-owned — compliant with California law, eligible for Medicare and PPO billing
  • Insurance accepted for all qualifying FDA-approved conditions
  • Grounded chambers for maximum patient safety
  • Certified Hyperbaric Technicians (CHTs), most EMT-certified
  • Physician Assistant on-site most weekday hours
  • Extended hours including evenings and weekends
  • Personalized treatment protocols for every patient

OxygenWell also integrates red light therapy (photobiomodulation), hydrogen inhalation therapy, NAD+ IV, hormone optimization, and functional medicine — enabling a comprehensive approach to healing in a single visit.

OxygenWell Locations in Los Angeles

Sherman Oaks

Serving Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys, Studio City, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, and the greater San Fernando Valley.

15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite P12, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Calabasas

Serving Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, and the western San Fernando Valley. Located across from Calabasas Medicine for convenient physician referral coordination.

23500 Park Sorrento, A2, Calabasas, CA 91302

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an HBOT session feel like?

Patients lie comfortably in the chamber, breathe normally through a non-rebreather oxygen mask, and relax for 60–90 minutes. During pressurization, most feel a mild ear pressure — similar to descending in an airplane — which resolves quickly. Many patients sleep or rest during sessions.

How many sessions do I need?

FDA-approved wound care conditions typically require 30–40 sessions. Off-label wellness protocols range from 10 to 40+ sessions. Your treatment plan is personalized during an initial consultation.

Is HBOT covered by my insurance?

If you have Medicare or a PPO plan and your condition is on the FDA-approved list, HBOT is very likely covered. Call (818) 661-0939 for complimentary insurance verification.

What is the difference between medical HBOT and mild hyperbaric therapy?

Medical HBOT uses 100% oxygen at 2.0–2.4 ATA in FDA-approved chambers under physician direction. Mild hyperbaric therapy uses ambient air at 1.3–1.5 ATA in soft-sided chambers. For FDA-approved medical conditions, only true medical HBOT at therapeutic pressures qualifies for insurance coverage.

Do I need a referral?

A physician referral is required for insurance-covered HBOT. For self-pay wellness protocols, a referral is not required. Contact OxygenWell and our team will guide you to the right pathway.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

OxygenWell offers complimentary consultations at both Sherman Oaks and Calabasas. Whether you have a qualifying medical condition covered by insurance or are exploring HBOT for wellness and performance, our team is here to guide you to the right protocol.

  • Phone: (818) 661-0939
  • Website: oxygenwell.com
  • Sherman Oaks: 15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite P12, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
  • Calabasas: 23500 Park Sorrento, A2, Calabasas, CA 91302

Written by Dr. Beth Meneley, DAOM, L.Ac. — Founder of OxygenWell. 25+ years in integrative and functional medicine. 12+ years dedicated to hyperbaric medicine in Los Angeles. Over 50,000 HBOT sessions administered under her clinical direction.

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Calabasas, CA | OxygenWell
OxygenWell Calabasas offers medical-grade HBOT at 2.4 ATA with Medicare and PPO insurance accepted. Located across from Calabasas Medicine. Serving Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, and Malibu.
May 23, 2026