OxygenWell accepts VA Community Care for hyperbaric medicine.
Helping Veterans Access Hyperbaric Medicine Through VA Community Care
At OxygenWell, we are proud to work with Veterans who have been authorized to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy through VA Community Care.
With locations in Sherman Oaks and Calabasas, our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible—from receiving the VA referral and reviewing the prescribed treatment protocol to coordinating documentation and completing the authorized course of care.
If you already have a VA Community Care referral for hyperbaric oxygen therapy—or your VA physician is considering one—our team can help you understand the next steps.
What Is VA Community Care?
VA Community Care allows eligible Veterans to receive medical care from approved providers outside of a VA facility when certain eligibility requirements are met.
For most non-emergency Community Care, Veterans must first receive a referral and authorization from the VA before treatment with a community provider begins.
In other words, Veterans generally don’t simply choose to bill treatment to VA Community Care.
The process begins with your VA care team.
How Do I Get HBOT Through VA Community Care?
The process generally looks like this:
1. Talk with your VA physician or care team.
Ask whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be medically appropriate for your condition.
2. Ask about Community Care.
If appropriate, your VA team can determine whether you are eligible to receive treatment from a community provider.
3. The VA reviews and authorizes the referral.
The authorization establishes what care has been approved and the scope of treatment.
4. Contact OxygenWell.
Once we receive your referral and authorization information, our team can coordinate with the VA, review the prescribed treatment plan and help arrange your appointments.
5. Begin your authorized HBOT program.
We provide your prescribed hyperbaric treatments along with the clinical monitoring and documentation required throughout the authorized course of care.
Why Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Used?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy allows a patient to breathe high concentrations of oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure.
Under pressure, significantly more oxygen can be carried in the blood plasma and delivered throughout the body, including tissues where circulation or oxygen delivery may be compromised.
This increased oxygen availability can support important biological processes involved in wound healing, new blood vessel formation, infection control and tissue repair.
Medical HBOT is used for a defined group of conditions for which specific treatment protocols and coverage criteria may apply.
These may include:
- Delayed radiation tissue injury
- Certain diabetic lower-extremity wounds
- Compromised grafts and flaps
- Refractory osteomyelitis
- Crush injuries and acute traumatic ischemia
- Certain serious infections
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Other medically appropriate hyperbaric indications
Whether the VA will authorize HBOT depends on the Veteran’s diagnosis, medical necessity and the scope of the VA referral.
What About Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD?
We know this is an important question for many Veterans.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been studied for traumatic brain injury, persistent post-concussion symptoms and PTSD, and research in these areas continues to evolve.
However, research showing potential benefit is not the same as automatic VA Community Care coverage.
If you are interested in HBOT for a neurological or behavioral health condition, we encourage you to discuss it with your VA physician or specialist.
OxygenWell does not determine VA eligibility or guarantee authorization. If the VA authorizes hyperbaric treatment, our team can work with your referring providers to deliver the prescribed care.
Medical HBOT at OxygenWell
OxygenWell provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy using hard-shell monoplace chambers capable of pressures up to 2.4 ATA.
Medical protocols are individualized according to the patient’s diagnosis, physician order and authorized treatment plan.
Depending on the prescribed protocol, treatment may include specific therapeutic pressures, oxygen exposure times and air breaks, along with appropriate clinical monitoring and documentation.
We Help With the Administrative Process, Too
Receiving care through VA Community Care involves more than simply scheduling a hyperbaric appointment.
Our team can help coordinate the clinical and administrative requirements associated with an authorized course of treatment, including:
VA Referral & Authorization Review
We review the authorization and approved scope of treatment before beginning care.
Physician Orders & Medical Review
Treatment follows the prescribed medical protocol and physician orders.
Clinical Documentation
Treatment notes and progress documentation are maintained throughout the course of care.
Care Coordination
When appropriate, we communicate with VA and referring providers regarding the Veteran’s treatment.
Ongoing Authorization Coordination
If additional treatment is medically recommended beyond the existing authorization, our team can assist with the appropriate documentation and coordination process.
Our goal is simple: Veterans shouldn’t have to navigate every part of the Community Care process alone.
Already Have a VA Community Care Referral?
If you already have a VA Community Care referral or authorization for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, contact OxygenWell and our team can help you determine the next step.
If you don’t yet have an authorization, begin by speaking with your VA physician, specialist or Community Care team about whether HBOT may be medically appropriate for your condition and whether Community Care is available to you.
OxygenWell Hyperbaric & Regenerative Medicine Center
Sherman Oaks Galleria • Calabasas
Call: (818) 661-0939
Open 7 Days • Evening Appointments Available
VA Community Care treatment requires VA referral and authorization. Coverage, number of treatments and approved services are determined by the VA.
