Home »
Traditional Oral Antidepressants not Enough?
Consider Spravato® — A Game Changer for Treatment Resistant Depression
What is Spravato®?
Spravato® is an FDA-approved medication for treatment resistant depression (“TRD”). Generally, TRD is defined as inadequate success with two or more oral antidepressants. Spravato® is self-administered as a nasal spray in a controlled setting. Spravato® contains a form of ketamine called esketamine. Inspired Psychiatric Care (IPC) is an FDA-approved site for the administration of Spravato®.
Is Spravato® Covered by Insurance?
Yes, but IPC must open a prior authorization (PA) request with your insurance company. Each company has specific criteria for approval. Most require that you have tried at least two different antidepressants from two different drug classes for a minimum of 8 weeks. Some require that at least one antidepressant was augmented with a 2nd generation antipsychotic medication.
The easiest way to see if you are likely to get your prior authorization approved is to complete our Spravato® Screening Questionnaire. It provides the criteria for each insurance company, and a list of about 30 antidepressants and other augmenting medications. If you have taken any of these in the past, you will probably recognize the names.
Inspiring Patient Stories
These are real patients or caregivers of patients with treatment-resistant depression, finding hope and healing.
Treatment Occurs in a Spa-like Setting
Spravato treatments are 2 hours long. Your blood pressure is taken before, during and after the session. You sit quietly in a comfortable recliner. Spa-like music is playing in the background. We provide you with an IPC-logo eyemask, which is yours to keep.
We monitor your vitals before, during and after the treatment. You will need a ride to and from the appointment because Spravato® acts as a sedative. The most common side-effects include sedation, dissociation (for example, images may appear blurred or distorted), dizziness, nausea, lethargy, increased blood pressure, vertigo, skin sensitivity and the general feeling of being drunk.
Treatment Occurs in a Group
You will receive your treatment in a small group setting. To keep you safe and grounded, a trained facilitator will be present during your treatment. The group will engage in group therapy both before and after each Spravato® treatment.
This is because psychedelics open a window of neuroplasticity; this allows the brain to ‘rewire’ learned, negative beliefs and behavior patterns. We at IPC practice “whole person” care; we assume (and the literature is beginning to suggest) that patient outcomes are enhanced when combined with therapy—and solidified when experienced and processed in a group.
How much does Spravato® cost?
Because of a special arrangement with the manufacturer of Spravato® (Janssen), the most anyone on a commercial insurance plan will pay for the Spravato® medication is $10 per treatment. However, this is contingent on an approved prior authorization from your insurance company. The treatment sessions themselves are standard appointment types covered by insurance. Your cost for the sessions depends on your insurance plan and deductible.