Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is often helpful for patients with depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder that has not been alleviated with medication or therapy. This treatment uses magnetic pulses to change brain chemistry. Traditional TMS follows a 9-week schedule of 36 sessions, typically five times a week with a taper at the end, whereas accelerated TMS delivers 20 sessions per day, with sessions sometimes spaced as closely as 30 minutes apart.
Cedar Park TMS is one of the few clinics in the United States to offer neurocardiac-guided accelerated TMS done in one day. This option can be incredibly helpful for patients with treatment-resistant depression who need rapid symptom relief or are unable to commit to a long treatment schedule. Our team is here to support you through this process and answer any questions you may have, including "Does insurance cover accelerated TMS?"
Before considering insurance coverage, it can be helpful to understand more about accelerated TMS. TMS therapy delivers short magnetic pulses to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is the brain region that regulates mood. These pulses produce small electrical currents to activate brain cells that release serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Because an imbalance of these neurotransmitters is one potential cause of mental health conditions such as depression, the goal is to ensure they are at ideal levels.
During a session, your Cedar Park TMS therapy provider will place a magnetic coil against the left side of your head. The magnetic pulses are similar to those from an MRI and feel like taps against your scalp. It creates tolerable sensations, which improve as your body adjusts to the treatment.
TMS therapy is non-invasive, so sedation is not necessary. It is non-habit-forming, meaning you can stop any time. Unlike electroshock therapy, TMS has not been associated with symptoms such as memory loss.
Accelerated TMS therapy provides faster symptom relief than its standard counterpart, which is particularly helpful in urgent cases. It can deliver the equivalent of weeks of therapy in just several days, making it convenient for patients with debilitating symptoms or busy schedules. Patients can drive themselves to and from treatment and resume their normal schedule in Austin after their appointment.
Though accelerated TMS therapy is considered an off-label treatment, which can limit insurance coverage, it has been thoroughly researched and tested. Clinical data have found that accelerated TMS creates up to 90 percent response rates and 70 percent remission in treatment-resistant depression, making it a helpful option for those who struggle with their symptoms (Cole et al., 2020).
Most private insurance companies do not cover accelerated TMS protocols. If you need a treatment that is covered by insurance, standard TMS may be better suited. Insurance typically covers standard TMS with the proper diagnosis and documentation.
Our current price for an accelerated TMS protocol is $5,000. We can work with you to create an interest-free extended payment plan to make accelerated TMS a reality for patients who need it, even if it is not covered by insurance.
At Cedar Park TMS, we are dedicated to connecting patients with the treatments that will work best for them, including accelerated TMS therapy. Our team has been performing TMS since 2018 and was the first to market this innovative care to the Austin area. We strive to offer customized care to every patient rather than relying on generalized options, which is why we want accelerated TMS therapy to be available to those who need it. Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn more about the answers to questions such as "Does insurance cover accelerated TMS?" We are ready to partner with you to explore ways to make this innovative treatment a financial reality.
