Brain Treatment Centers expand TRICARE-covered TMS access for depression

Brain Treatment Center clinics are highlighting TRICARE-covered transcranial magnetic stimulation for adults with major depressive disorder across participating locations nationwide. The push comes as the military health plan marks 10 years of covering TMS, a non-medication option for patients who have not responded adequately to antidepressants.

Why it matters: - TRICARE coverage can lower or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for eligible military families seeking depression treatment. - The expanded visibility matters because many eligible patients still do not know TRICARE covers TMS. - TMS gives service members, veterans and family members an FDA-cleared, non-drug option when antidepressants have not worked well enough.

What happened: - Brain Treatment Centers is promoting TRICARE-covered TMS at participating clinic locations across the country. - The network timed the announcement to the 10-year mark since TRICARE added TMS to its basic benefit package in 2016 for Major Depressive Disorder. - Dr. Spencer O. Miller, medical director of Brain Treatment Centers in Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth, said many military patients had never been told TRICARE covers TMS.

The details: - TRICARE covers TMS for adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder who have not achieved adequate response from prior antidepressant treatment. - TMS uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. - Sessions are done while the patient is fully awake and typically last 30 minutes. - No anesthesia or sedation is required. - Patients can drive themselves to and from appointments and return to normal activities right away. - A standard treatment course includes daily outpatient sessions over several weeks. - Research from Army STARRS found the 30-day prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder to be roughly five times higher among Army personnel than in the comparable civilian population. - Research also suggests as many as one in five patients with depression do not respond adequately to standard antidepressant treatment. - Brain Treatment Centers says many of its clinics accept TRICARE Prime, Select and Reserve plans. - The network provides in-network care in the Humana Military-TRICARE East and TriWest-TRICARE West regions. - Clinic teams help with benefits verification, prior authorization paperwork and coordination with referring providers. - Participating clinics listed with TRICARE coverage include Newport Beach, San Diego, Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Michigan, Glenview, Braincare Performance Center Carlsbad and Braincare Rancho Mirage. - More information from Brain Treatment Centers - San Diego TRICARE coverage details - Dallas TRICARE insurance information - Plano TRICARE insurance information - Fort Worth depression treatment coverage - Michigan TRICARE RTMS information - Glenview TRICARE RTMS information - Carlsbad insurance information - Rancho Mirage military family coverage information

Between the lines: - The network is positioning TMS as a practical alternative for patients who want to avoid medication side effects or have already failed medication. - The emphasis on benefits navigation suggests access barriers may be administrative as much as clinical. - Dr. Miller’s military background adds credibility with active-duty patients, veterans and their families.

What's next: - New patients will need a clinical evaluation confirming a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis. - Clinicians will review prior treatment history to determine whether TMS is appropriate. - TRICARE prior authorization must be secured before treatment begins. - Referrals are accepted from primary care providers, mental health professionals and military treatment facilities. - Each clinic’s New Patient Coordinator can help with referral coordination, benefits verification and scheduling.

The bottom line: - Brain Treatment Centers is making it easier for military families to use a TRICARE-covered, non-medication treatment for depression that has been available to eligible patients since 2016.