Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy CPT Codes: Full Billing Guide for Hyperbaric Providers

Understanding the hyperbaric oxygen therapy CPT code helps clinics bill correctly and avoid denied claims. In most cases, the correct code depends on how the HBOT session is delivered and whether it is performed in a monoplace or multiplace chamber.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover which CPT codes are applicable to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, understand why different codes exist, and learn how to select the most appropriate option for your practice. Following this guidance ensures accurate billing, compliance with regulations, and optimized reimbursement for both providers and patients.

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What Is the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy CPT Code?

The CPT code that applies to hyperbaric oxygen therapy usually depends on whether the service is physician-supervised, how long the session lasts, and whether additional monitoring is required. HBOT procedures are typically coded under 99183, while facility services use G0277.

This section explains the significance of each CPT code, detailing its intended purpose and clinical relevance. You’ll learn when and how to apply specific codes accurately, ensuring proper documentation, compliance, and billing efficiency. Understanding these distinctions helps healthcare providers make informed choices and maintain consistent, accurate hyperbaric oxygen therapy records.

 

Why CPT Codes Matter for HBOT Billing

Understanding CPT codes is essential for clinics to streamline the billing process and avoid administrative complications. Correct use ensures that insurance claims are processed efficiently, patients receive the reimbursements they are eligible for, and overall documentation remains accurate. Proper knowledge reduces errors, improves workflow, and supports better financial management in healthcare practices.

Accurate and consistent coding protects clinics from costly delays, claim denials, and incorrect reimbursement amounts. By applying the appropriate CPT codes for each treatment, healthcare providers maintain compliance with insurance requirements, prevent disputes, and optimize revenue. Proper coding practices safeguard both the clinic’s financial stability and the patient’s access to coverage.

Clinics offering HBOT, whether for wound healing, recovery, or neurological support, must document procedure details clearly. This ensures the CPT code correctly reflects what happened during the patient encounter.

Primary CPT Codes Used for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Below is a detailed breakdown of the most commonly used CPT codes for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Each code is explained in terms of its definition, appropriate clinical application, and distinctions from other codes. Understanding these differences helps healthcare providers code accurately, ensure proper billing, and optimize patient coverage and reimbursement.

CPT 99183: Physician Supervision of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

This CPT code represents the primary professional-use designation for hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions. It specifically accounts for the physician’s time and expertise spent supervising and managing the procedure. Accurate use of this code ensures proper billing for professional services, compliance with insurance requirements, and recognition of the clinician’s active role in patient care.

What CPT 99183 Includes:

• Physician supervision during the entire HBOT session

• Monitoring the patient’s physiological response

• Adjustments to treatment as needed

• Documentation of medical necessity

When to Use CPT 99183:

This CPT code should be used for all medically necessary hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions conducted in certified monoplace or multiplace chambers under direct physician supervision. Proper coding ensures compliance with insurance regulations, accurately reflects the level of professional oversight, and supports appropriate reimbursement while documenting that the treatment meets medical necessity criteria.

HCPCS G0277: Facility-Based HBOT Billing

Hospitals and outpatient departments typically bill CPT code G0277 for each 30-minute interval of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This code accounts for the professional supervision and care provided during the session. Proper use ensures accurate reimbursement, compliance with insurance guidelines, and documentation of the duration and clinical necessity of each HBOT treatment.

What G0277 Includes:

• Facility resources

• Chamber operation

• Nursing staff

• Equipment monitoring

Supplies used during therapy

Typical Billing Structure:

If a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session lasts 90 minutes, the facility would bill three units of CPT code G0277, with each unit representing a 30-minute interval. Accurate billing reflects the total treatment time, ensures proper reimbursement, and maintains compliance with insurance and regulatory requirements for medically necessary HBOT services.

Table 1: Standard HBOT CPT/HCPCS Codes

How the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy CPT Code Works in Practice

The appropriate CPT code for hyperbaric oxygen therapy is determined by both the healthcare provider and the treating facility. In practice, clinics often submit separate codes for professional supervision and facility use when applicable. This dual coding approach ensures accurate billing, compliance with insurance requirements, and proper reimbursement for all aspects of HBOT.

Here’s a simplified example:

A patient undergoes a 90-minute HBOT session for chronic non-healing wounds.

The clinic bills:

• 99183 – physician supervision (once per session)

• G0277 × 3 units – facility time

This combination reflects the full scope of service provided.

Coverage Requirements for HBOT Coding

Insurance payers frequently require specific documentation and criteria to approve hyperbaric oxygen therapy claims. This typically includes a physician’s prescription, evidence of medical necessity, detailed patient history, and clinical notes supporting the treatment plan. Meeting these requirements ensures timely claim approval, reduces denials, and guarantees that both providers and patients receive appropriate coverage for HBOT services.

• Documented medical necessity

• Approved diagnosis (such as diabetic wounds or radiation injury)

• Treatment plan signed by supervising physician

• Progress notes per session

• Documented session duration

• Failing any requirement may lead to a denied claim.

Indications Commonly Linked to HBOT Billing Codes

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is FDA-approved for specific conditions, many of which align with valid CPT coding and insurance requirements.

Common ICD-10 diagnosis codes used with HBOT include:

• Diabetic foot ulcers (E11.621)

• Osteoradionecrosis (M87.30)

• Gas gangrene (A48.0)

• Carbon monoxide poisoning (T58.01XA)

• Compromised skin grafts (T86.821)

Table 2: HBOT-Approved Conditions and Common Billing Pairings

How to Choose the Correct CPT Code for Each HBOT Session

Selecting the correct CPT code for hyperbaric oxygen therapy depends on three key factors: the type of chamber used (monoplace or multiplace), whether the service involves direct physician supervision, and the session’s duration. Considering all three ensures accurate billing, compliance with insurance guidelines, and proper reimbursement for both professional and facility services.

1. Type of HBOT Equipment Used

The type of hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment used, monoplace or multiplace chambers, can impact which CPT codes and documentation requirements apply. Monoplace chambers accommodate a single patient, while multiplace chambers treat multiple patients simultaneously. Properly identifying the chamber type ensures accurate coding, compliance with insurance rules, and appropriate reimbursement for facility resources.

2. Supervision Level

CPT 99183 requires continuous physician supervision during the HBOT session. This code reflects the professional involvement and clinical oversight necessary to ensure patient safety and proper treatment administration. Accurate documentation of physician presence and actions during the session is crucial for correct billing, compliance, and securing reimbursement for professional services.

3. Session Duration

G0277 is billed in 30-minute increments, so precise timekeeping is essential for accurate reimbursement. Each completed half-hour session represents one unit, with longer treatments requiring multiple units. Properly recording start and end times ensures compliance with insurance regulations, prevents claim denials, and reflects the actual time spent delivering medically necessary hyperbaric therapy.

Additional CPT Codes Sometimes Used Alongside HBOT

Beyond the primary codes, clinics may also use these depending on the level of service:

• C1300 – outpatient HBOT reimbursement

• 97597/97598 – wound debridement

• 15271-15278 – skin grafting

• 11042-11047 – surgical debridement
  
  

These codes may be relevant when HBOT is part of a broader care plan involving wound management.

Related HBOT Resources

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A Better Understanding of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy CPT Code

Choosing the correct hyperbaric oxygen therapy CPT code helps clinics prevent billing errors and ensures reimbursement aligns with services actually delivered. Knowing how CPT 99183, G0277, and related codes work together allows for smooth administrative workflow, accurate medical documentation, and reliable patient care.

HBOT providers who document carefully, track session length, and pair CPT codes with accurate diagnosis codes minimize delays and protect clinical revenue cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CPT code 98960 used for?

CPT code 98960 is used for patient education and self-management instruction, typically in 30-minute sessions. Providers use it when teaching patients how to manage a specific health condition. It does not apply to HBOT directly, but may be used in combination if the clinic provides structured self-care training related to wound care or chronic illness management. This code requires individualized educational interaction and must be clearly documented to be reimbursed properly.

What is the ICD-10 code for hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

There is no single ICD-10 code that represents HBOT itself, but ICD-10 codes linked to the condition requiring HBOT are used. Examples include E11.621 for diabetic foot ulcers or T58.01XA for carbon monoxide poisoning. These diagnosis codes justify medical necessity when paired with CPT 99183 or G0277. Insurers rely heavily on accurate ICD-10 mapping to approve HBOT claims, so selecting the precise clinical condition is crucial.

What is CPT code C1300?

CPT/HCPCS C1300 is used for outpatient hyperbaric oxygen therapy payments under the Ambulatory Payment Classification system. It applies to hospital outpatient settings and includes the technical resources needed to deliver HBOT. While G0277 bills per 30-minute increments, C1300 represents a packaged payment approach in certain facility settings. Not all payers accept C1300, so clinics should confirm payer-specific rules.

What is CPT code 98966 used for?

CPT 98966 is used for telephone assessment and management services, typically for 5–10 minutes of medical discussion with an established patient. While it is unrelated to HBOT procedures, clinics may use it for follow-up communication regarding wound care, treatment preparation, or ongoing HBOT recovery instructions. Because this code applies only to non-face-to-face services, proper documentation is essential for compliance and reimbursement.