Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an FDA-approved medical treatment that delivers 100% oxygen inside a pressurized Sechrist hard acrylic chamber. The increased atmospheric pressure allows oxygen to dissolve directly into your blood plasma, reaching tissues and areas with compromised blood flow that red blood cells alone cannot access. This accelerates your body's natural healing process by reducing inflammation, fighting infection, stimulating new blood vessel growth, and promoting tissue repair. Each session is performed under direct physician supervision in our private outpatient center.

Many of our patients tell us that HBOT sessions are more comfortable than they expected. You lie down in a clear acrylic chamber for approximately 90 minutes at treatment pressure. During the initial pressurization, you may feel mild ear pressure — similar to what you experience during an airplane descent — which our team will help you manage. Once at pressure, most patients relax, watch TV on the built-in screen, or rest. A trained hyperbaric technologist monitors you continuously throughout the entire session, and a physician supervises every treatment.

HBOT is FDA-approved and has a strong safety profile when performed in medical-grade equipment under physician supervision. At RevitalizeMe, we use Sechrist hard acrylic chambers that meet NFPA 99 and ASME PVHO safety standards — the same equipment used at leading medical centers nationwide. Minor side effects may include temporary ear pressure and short-term vision changes, both of which typically resolve on their own. It is important to know that non-medical soft-sided or portable chambers are not FDA-approved for medical HBOT, do not meet Medicare coverage criteria, and should not be considered equivalent to clinical treatment.

Treatment plans are individualized based on your specific condition, its severity, and how your body responds to therapy. A typical course ranges from 20 to 40 sessions, with treatments usually scheduled five days a week. Your physician evaluates your progress at regular intervals — typically every 30 days — and adjusts the plan as needed. During your initial consultation, your care team will outline what to expect for your particular situation.

HBOT is approved by Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance plans for 15 medical conditions under CMS National Coverage Determination 20.29, including diabetic foot ulcers (Wagner Grade 3 or higher), chronic refractory osteomyelitis, soft tissue radionecrosis, osteoradionecrosis, radiation cystitis, radiation proctitis, compromised skin grafts and flaps, crush injuries and acute traumatic ischemia, necrotizing soft tissue infections, gas gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, air or gas embolism, decompression sickness, severe anemia (when transfusion is not an option), and acute thermal burns. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) also recognizes additional indications — including central retinal artery occlusion, select problem wounds, avascular necrosis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and intracranial abscess — which may be covered by some commercial insurance plans but are not currently covered by Medicare under NCD 20.29.

The only absolute contraindication for HBOT is an untreated pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Relative contraindications that require careful physician evaluation include certain chemotherapy agents such as bleomycin, cisplatin, and doxorubicin; uncontrolled seizure disorders; and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Every patient at RevitalizeMe receives a thorough medical screening before treatment begins to ensure HBOT is safe and appropriate for their situation.

Our wound care team treats a wide range of complex and non-healing wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, pressure injuries, surgical wound dehiscence, traumatic wounds, infected and complex post-surgical wounds, and chronic wounds that have not responded to conventional treatment. If you have a wound that is not healing as expected, we can help.

Your first visit includes a comprehensive evaluation — wound measurement and photography for documentation, a vascular assessment, and a thorough review of your medical history. Your physician will develop an individualized treatment plan that may include debridement, advanced wound dressings, offloading strategies, infection management, and coordination with your referring physician. Patients often tell us they feel relieved knowing there is finally a clear plan for their wound.

Healing timelines vary significantly based on the wound type, size, your overall health, and adherence to the treatment plan. Our team monitors your progress with objective wound measurements at every visit, and your physician reassesses the plan regularly — adjusting therapies as your wound responds. Many patients see meaningful improvement within the first few weeks of consistent treatment, and early intervention can help prevent serious complications.

You should seek professional wound care if a wound has not shown improvement in two to four weeks, shows signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, or odor, or if you have diabetes or vascular disease that may slow healing. Early intervention is critical — it can help prevent complications including hospitalization and, in the case of diabetic foot wounds, amputation. If you are unsure, call us at (989) 320-4434 and our team can help determine if an evaluation is appropriate.

Yes — Medicare, Medicaid, and most major private insurance plans cover HBOT when it is used for FDA-approved medical indications. Our team handles insurance verification and prior authorization before your treatment begins, so you know what to expect. Many patients are surprised to learn their HBOT is fully covered. Please do not assume treatment is not covered — let us verify your benefits. We are here to make the insurance process as simple as possible.

Yes — wound care services are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Our billing team verifies your benefits before your first visit and handles the paperwork, so you can focus on healing rather than navigating the insurance process.

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major private insurance plans. We are also currently in the credentialing process with Tricare and the VA. Our billing team verifies your specific coverage before treatment begins so there are no surprises — you will know exactly what is covered and what, if anything, may be your responsibility before your first session.

RevitalizeMe is located at 3200 Cabaret Trail South, Suite 3, Saginaw, MI 48603. We are a private outpatient center with convenient parking and an accessible entrance, proudly serving patients across the Great Lakes Bay Region — including Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Flint, and surrounding Michigan communities.

Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We strive to accommodate scheduling needs that fit your life, and appointments are available throughout the week. Call us at (989) 320-4434 to find a time that works for you.

A physician referral is preferred but not always required. For hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a referral helps streamline the insurance authorization process and ensures your care team is coordinated from day one. For wound care, referrals are preferred, but patients can also contact us directly — we will coordinate with your physician on your behalf. Referring a patient is simple: by phone at (989) 320-4434, by fax at (989) 256-0507, or through our secure online referral form.

Call us directly at (989) 320-4434 or use the scheduling form on our Contact page. We aim to see new patients within 24 hours of referral — because when a wound is not healing, every day matters. Our team handles insurance verification and scheduling so you can focus on getting the care you need.

Referring a patient is simple and takes just minutes. You can call us at (989) 320-4434, fax a referral to (989) 256-0507, or submit a referral through our secure online form at revitalizemehyperbaricwoundcare.com/refer-a-patient. Our team handles insurance verification, scheduling, and all follow-up coordination — so the process is seamless for both you and your patient.

We ask for a referral order with the diagnosis, relevant medical records, and any recent imaging or lab results if available. If additional documentation is needed for insurance authorization, our team will reach out to your office directly. We make the referral process as easy as possible so you can focus on your patients.

Absolutely. We send regular progress reports to referring physicians that include wound measurements, treatment response, and any changes to the care plan. We believe in close coordination of care and act as an extension of your clinical team — not a replacement. You stay informed every step of the way.