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Hyperbaric Medicine: What's new?
Indications for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Definition of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy:
The patient breathes 100% oxygen intermittently while the pressure of the treatment chamber is
increased to greater than one atmosphere absolute (atm abs). Current information indicates that
pressurization should be at least 1.4 atm abs. This may occur in a single person chamber
(monoplace) or multiplace chamber (may hold 2 or more people). Breathing 100% oxygen at 1
atm abs or exposing isolated parts of the body to 100% oxygen does not constitute HBO2
therapy.
Approved Indications:
The following indications are approved uses of hyperbaric oxygen
therapy as defined by the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee of the
UHMS:
1) Air or Gas Embolism
2) Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Complicated by Cyanide Poisoning
3) Clostridal Myositis and Myonecrosis (Gas Gangrene)
4) Crush Injury, Compartment Syndrome, and other Acute Traumatic
Ischemias
5) Decompression Sickness
6) Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds
7) Exceptional Blood Loss (Anemia)
8) Intracranial Abscess
9) Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
10) Osteomyelitis (Refractory)
11) Delayed Radiation Injury (Soft Tissue and Bony Necrosis)
12) Skin Grafts & Flaps (Compromised)
13) Thermal Burns
NOTE: 2002 Important Addition for Hyperbarics
CMS announces: Coverage DATES & GUIDELINES of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO)
Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetic Wounds of the Lower Extremities.
This file can be downloaded from: http://www.partbnews.com/htm/AB-02-
183.htm
Program Memorandum Department of Health & Human Services Intermediaries
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Transmittal AB-02-183 Date: DECEMBER 27, 2002
CHANGE REQUEST 2388
SUBJECT: Coverage of Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy for the Treatment
of Diabetic Wounds of the Lower Extremities
This Program Memorandum (PM) summarizes the revision to §35-10 of the
Coverage Issues Manual (CIM) regarding Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) Therapy.
Please refer to this section of the CIM for complete information
regarding this policy.
