Physician Resources
Clinical information, referral pathways, and OHIP-covered indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Modern Medical. Everything you need to refer your patients with confidence.
14
OHIP Indications
8
Perry Sigma 36 Chambers
100%
OHIP Covered
Making a Referral
How to Refer Your Patients
Three pathways to refer your patients for OHIP-covered hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Modern Medical. All referrals are reviewed within 24 hours.
Fax Referral
Download the referral form, complete with clinical details, and fax to our clinic.
OCEANs eReferral
Send a secure electronic referral through the OCEANs Healthmap. Search “Modern Medical” in the provider directory.
Open OCEANs Healthmap →Referral Forms
Download Referral Forms
Our referral form captures the clinical details we need to assess your patient and begin the OHIP approval process. Choose the format that works best for your practice.
Referral Requirements
What to Include in Your Referral
Including these details helps us assess your patient quickly and begin the OHIP approval process without delays or follow-up requests for information.
Full name, date of birth, health card number, contact information
Primary diagnosis code and indication for HBOT
Duration and progression of the condition, prior treatments attempted
Relevant labs, imaging, wound measurements, or audiograms
Complete medication list including any anticoagulants or chemotherapy
Ensure your contact info is filled out and your billing number is provided so our team can keep you involved in your patients' progress.
Clinical Evidence
How HBOT Works
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 100% oxygen at supra-atmospheric pressure in a monoplace chamber. Sessions are 2 hours at 2.0–2.4 ATA, 5 days per week, for 30–40 treatments depending on the indication. Protocols follow UHMS guidelines.
Breathing 100% O₂ at 2–3 ATA increases dissolved plasma oxygen 10–20×, delivering oxygen independent of haemoglobin to ischaemic tissues.
Repeated hyperoxic–normoxic cycling stimulates VEGF-mediated neovascularisation in hypoxic wound beds and irradiated tissue.
Restores neutrophil oxidative killing in hypoxic environments and potentiates aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone efficacy against biofilm-forming organisms.
Reduces leukocyte–endothelial adhesion, attenuates ischaemia–reperfusion injury, and decreases oedema via hyperoxic vasoconstriction while maintaining net oxygen delivery.
Increases stem cell mobilization up to 8-fold after 20 hyperbaric treatments.
8 chambers on-site — Thunder Bay’s only Hyperbaric facility
OHIP-Covered Conditions
14 Approved Indications
All 14 indications below are OHIP-covered with no cost to the patient. Click any condition for detailed clinical information, mechanism of action, and supporting evidence.
Emergency / Urgent Indications
Scheduled Treatment Indications
Common Questions
Physician FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most from referring physicians.
Is HBOT covered by OHIP for all patients?
Yes. All 14 indications listed on this page are approved under the Ontario Schedule of Benefits. There is no cost to the patient. Coverage is confirmed before treatment begins.
What clinical documentation do you need with the referral?
Clinical history and duration, relevant investigation results (imaging, labs, wound measurements, audiograms), current medication list, and past medical history. The more complete the referral, the faster we can assess and schedule a consultation with a hyperbaric medicine physician.
How quickly can you see urgent referrals?
Emergency indications (carbon monoxide poisoning, arterial gas embolism, decompression sickness) are seen as soon as possible. Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSNHL) referrals are prioritized. Non-emergent referrals are typically assessed within 1–2 business days.
What is the typical treatment protocol?
Standard protocol is 2-hour sessions at 2.0–2.4 ATA, 5 days per week. Most scheduled indications require 40-60 treatments over 8-12 weeks. Emergency cases (CO poisoning, gas embolism) may require only 1–5 treatments. Protocols follow UHMS (Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society) guidelines.
Can patients continue other treatments during HBOT?
In general, yes. HBOT is adjunctive therapy. Patients continue antibiotics, wound care, and other concurrent treatments. We coordinate with the referring physician and specialists throughout the treatment course. Note: certain chemotherapeutic agents (bleomycin, cisplatin, doxorubicin) require case-by-case evaluation.
Do you accept OCEANs eReferrals?
Yes. Search “Modern Medical” on the OCEANs Healthmap to send a secure electronic referral. You can also fax referrals to (833) 342-3789 or call (807) 235-0071 to discuss a case.
Will I receive progress reports on my patients?
Yes. Referring physicians receive an initial assessment report, periodic progress updates during treatment, and a comprehensive discharge summary with outcomes and follow-up recommendations.
What are the contraindications for HBOT?
Absolute: untreated pneumothorax.
Relative: uncontrolled seizure disorder, severe COPD with CO₂ retention, concurrent treatment with bleomycin, adreomycin or cisplatin, severe Congestive Heart Failure, active upper respiratory infection, history of spontaneous pneumothorax, bullous lung disease and claustrophobia (manageable with anxiolytics in most cases). Intoxication or alcohol withdrawal. Our medical team reviews all cases individually.
Refer Your Patient Today
Contact Modern Medical to discuss referral requirements, coverage pathways, and how HBOT fits into your patient’s treatment plan.