Indiana would fund oxygen chamber treatment for eligible service members

Indiana's veterans' affairs department would make grants to approved providers for testing and oxygen chamber treatment. Service members must qualify under state law and have a licensed doctor document the service-related event that caused their brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. A health care provider must order the treatment. The military family relief fund would supply no more than $400,000 each fiscal year. Eligible applicants would join a waitlist if funding runs short. These program rules would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.

The program would bar copays and limit the number of treatment sessions. These limits would apply to service members treated through the program. A treating provider would need to request more sessions in writing, explain why they would help, and get approval from the veterans' affairs department. The usual limit would be up to 40 one-hour sessions, with up to 40 additional one-hour sessions after approval.

Indiana's health department would set provider standards and review treatment plans; providers could not bill above its set rate. These rules would cover providers and service members in the treatment program. Providers must meet fire safety and treatment standards. A plan must include a treatment order, proof of eligibility and consent, and a cost estimate. Plans meeting state rules would be approved if enough funding is available. Providers must submit treatment plans before treatment begins.

The program would limit civil and criminal liability for treatment providers and supervising doctors. The protection would apply to acts or failures to act related to treating qualified service members under the program. The protection would not cover gross negligence, meaning extreme carelessness, or intentional or reckless misconduct. This provision would take effect July 1, 2026, if the bill becomes law.