Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

On 7 October 2026, the Norwegian Directorate of Health released the 2027 Norwegian Clinical Procedure Coding system (NKPK), introducing 23 new procedure codes across medical, surgical and radiological specialties. The additions cover areas including eHealth, neuromodulation, endoscopy, gastrointestinal procedures, dermatology and gynecology. Several existing codes have also been revised, while six have been discontinued. The changes will take effect on 1 January 2027.

In 2019, the Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) assessed the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia, peripheral vascular disease, neurological disease, and others. The report was published online in 2020. The previous assessment, performed in 2018, was related to the use of HBOT in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

On the 11th of June 2019, the Dutch National Healthcare Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) has published a position regarding the positively assessed indications and the appropriate protocols for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) that have been included in the basic package since 2009 in order to promote the appropriate use of this care. Health insurers can include this information and the quality criteria of the protocols when purchasing HBOT.

In early 2019, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has published a health technology assessment report regarding the hyperbaric oxygen therapy for osteonecrosis. The results have shown that the efficacy and safety evidence of the procedure is too uncertain for now, and its economic evidence is also very limited. Further controlled, prospective studies are recommended.