Do You Need a Prescription for a Hyperbaric Chamber?

Deciphering medical jargon and understanding requirements for health care equipment can be tricky! We will explain whether you need a prescription for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and everything else you need prior to purchasing. This article will clear up any uncertainty about purchase regulations, so no need for confusion! With this guide, you will become fully prepared for residential hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

What Documentation Do I Need to Buy a Hyperbaric Chamber?

Healthcare worker giving a prescription for a hyperbaric chamber

  • If you are buying a hyperbaric chamber for your home, most manufacturers require a prescription from your doctor. This documentation is needed for residential customers. A prescription indicates a physician’s recommendation for your own personal needs and ensures your safety during use. 
  • If the product ships to a hospital, nursing home, doctor’s office, or health care facility a prescription is not necessary. 

Manufacturers That Do NOT Require a Prescription

Manufacturers That DO Require a Prescription

Who can give me a prescription for a hyperbaric chamber? 

Man getting inside an hyperbaric chamber with the help of a healthcare professional

You will need to see a doctor prior to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You can make an appointment with your treating physician or family practitioner, or simply ask about HBOT during your annual check-up! Any MD, DO, or dental surgeon with current state licensure can provide a prescription. The appointment may be in-person or virtual via telehealth or another online method. The medical professional will use their discretion when writing a prescription but must include a positive recommendation for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 

Dr. Garry Warner is a chiropractor that offers HBOT consults via telehealth, and he can write you a prescription for a hyperbaric chamber and/or oxygen concentrator. He charges a $55 fee for this service, which you can pay over the phone by credit card. If you are interested in his services, give him a call at (303)915-4813. Rehabmart accepts prescriptions written by Dr. Warner! 

Why Do I Need a Prescription to Buy a Hyperbaric Chamber?

Just like prescription medicine, hyperbaric chambers require a prescription because they can be potentially harmful if not used under the supervision of a licensed health care practitioner. A prescription from your doctor ensures that you are a candidate for HBOT and will have the necessary guidance.

Hyperbaric chambers are considered Class II Medical Devices. To summarize, classification is based on risk whereas Class I is considered the lowest risk and Class III is considered the highest risk. As Class II Medical Devices, hyperbaric chambers are considered moderate risk. For more information, see the FDA’s classification breakdown and hyperbaric chamber product classification.

How do I submit my prescription to Rehabmart?

A prescription from a doctor (Rx) is required when shipping a hyperbaric chamber to a residential address. This is to ensure your safety! Please email your prescription to Rx@rehabmart.com or fax it to 888-507-7326. Please be sure to include your order number on the prescription.

Keep in mind, a doctor’s prescription (Rx) is not necessary when shipping to hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, or other health care facilities.

How do I get a military discount?

Summit to Sea Dive 33" Hyperbaric Chamber for AthletesSummit to Sea Dive 33" Hyperbaric Chamber for Athletes

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Some hyperbaric chamber brands, like Summit to Sea, offer military discounts. The discount extends to all military branches (active or retired), EMTs, firefighters, and police personnel. ID verification is required. For more information, please email us at assistance@rehabmart.com or call us at 1-800-827-8283. We greatly appreciate your service and are happy to walk through this process with you!

Is it legal to own a hyperbaric chamber? 

If you’re expressing this concern, you’re not alone; this is an extremely frequently asked question. Despite any rumors you may have heard, you can certainly own a hyperbaric chamber! For residential use, you just need a doctor’s prescription.

Keep in mind, if you purchase a chamber that pressurizes with pure oxygen, there are fire codes you must comply with. All the hyperbaric chambers provided by Rehabmart do NOT use this method of pressurizing, which provides safer and more simplistic use. You do not need to be concerned with any fire codes with a Rehabmart hyperbaric chamber.

Do you have to buy oxygen for a hyperbaric chamber?

Drive Medical DeVilbiss 10 LPM Oxygen ConcentratorDrive Medical DeVilbiss 10 LPM Oxygen Concentrator

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HBOT consists of a pressurized chamber and pure oxygen. While, technically, you don’t need pure oxygen to operate the chamber, the treatment is less effective without pure oxygen. We recommend purchasing an oxygen concentrator, which produces pure oxygen from ambient air (the regular air surrounding you), and does not need additional oxygen tanks. You will also need a prescription for an oxygen concentrator, so be sure to discuss this with your treating physician or family practitioner.

We recommend using the Drive Medical DeVilbiss 10 LPM Oxygen Concentrator with hyperbaric chambers.

Can I operate a hyperbaric chamber by myself, or do I need a doctor?

Man resting and operating an hyperbaric chamber by himself

While you need a prescription from a doctor for residential use, you are allowed to operate it independently! A prescription ensures your safety and is needed as hyperbaric chambers are Class II Medical Devices. Once approved by a doctor, be sure to follow their directions for frequency and duration of treatment. Additionally, closely read chamber product descriptions to ensure the door enables self-closure.

Final Thoughts

First and foremost, remember that hyperbaric chambers are legal and available for at-home operation, but prescriptions from a licensed physician are required for residential use! Send prescriptions our way by email at Rx@rehabmart.com or fax it to 888-507-7326. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is only a few simple steps away. Talk to your doctor and feel free to contact us with any further questions!

Thank you for reading! We hope this cleared up any confusion prior to your purchase. For more information, we recommend viewing our entire selection of hyperbaric chambers for sale and reading The Ultimate Guide to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for everything you need to know about hyperbaric chambers. If you’re looking for even more information, the Hyperbarics 101 Homepage includes all our hyperbaric-related articles.

Author:

Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.

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