Bill > HB5456

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to eligible veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, and this program aims to assess its effectiveness for these conditions. The program will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, which will also create a grant program to help providers cover the costs of treatment for eligible veterans, ensuring that veterans receive this therapy at no cost to them. To participate, providers must meet specific criteria, including having a qualified medical director and safety director, adhering to established treatment protocols, and using approved hyperbaric chambers (either hard-shelled or soft-shelled) that meet strict safety and operational standards, including accreditation from recognized organizations and independent safety audits. Eligible veterans must have their TBI or PTSD documented as a service-connected disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and by a physician. The bill also mandates that providers obtain informed consent from veterans, outlines requirements for treatment plans and payment approvals, and requires providers to submit quarterly reports and the department to produce annual and final reports evaluating the program's effectiveness, participation numbers, and treatment outcomes.