Insurance coverage expands to include TMS treatment for teens. TMS is a noninvasive therapy that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls mood. (Courtesy NeuroHealth)
As a growing number of teens struggle with depression, some insurance companies are now providing coverage for transcranial magnetic stimulation, a technique proving to be more effective than antidepressant medications.
While the FDA initially approved TMS treatment for teens 15 and older in 2024, increased insurance coverage will allow doctors to help their younger patients in a meaningful way.
"It has been remarkable to see people of all ages find relief from depression and begin to enjoy life after treatment with TMS," said Dr. Tom Rayner, a psychiatrist with NeuroHealth. "It has also been rewarding to watch them get better without the many debilitating side effects that medications can bring."
NeuroHealth in South Jordan (10437 S. Temple Drive, Suite 200) uses the NeuroStar TMS non-drug therapy to treat adult patients. As insurers expand TMS coverage to include teens dealing with depression, Rayner hopes to see young patients find lasting results.
TMS uses a magnetic pulse to activate neurons, increasing activity in the brain area to improve symptoms of depression. It is a noninvasive procedure, similar to an MRI. Many patients see results in less than one month of treatment.
Rayner said the treatment is safe, with almost no side effects. Compared to the weight gain, sedation, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea that commonly occur with antidepressant use, TMS patients might experience a mild to moderate headache during the first few sessions as the brain gets accustomed to the stimulation.
"Rates of depression and anxiety have increased among all ages, especially among teenagers and youth," Rayner said. "TMS is specifically indicated for teens and other individuals suffering from major depressive disorder, a condition that contributes to sad or irritable moods, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, poor energy, poor motivation, poor sleep and appetite, loss of hope and even suicidal ideation."
Insurers that now allow adolescent TMS treatment in Utah are United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS Federal Employee Plan, Regence BCBS and Select Health. Other insurance companies are currently holding reviews, evaluations and evidence assessments to determine if their TMS coverage will be expanded to teens.
The health policy team at NeuroStar, a manufacturer and developer of TMS technology, continues to educate insurers across the country that have not yet added adolescent TMS coverage. NeuroStar officials said while they can't provide a specific timeline for expansion, discussions are ongoing and progress is being made.
"Adolescent coverage has already been added to several policies as a direct result of the health policy team's advocacy efforts," said NeuroStar Practice Development Manager Jessica Brown. "Some insurers initially expressed hesitancy or indicated they would not move forward with coverage; however, with continued engagement and presentation of clinical evidence, decisions have evolved over time."
Approval can't come quickly enough for families of teens dealing with depression, but Rayner is pleased that insurance companies are seeing the benefits of TMS and providing assistance to cover the treatment. He advises parents to be proactive in getting their teen into treatment, whether that's TMS or counseling.
"Don't wait," he said. "Get help immediately. TMS, medications or therapy all work more effectively earlier in the course of illness. The longer the treatment is delayed, the more difficult it is to get good treatment responses."
