Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Left prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is covered for adults with confirmed severe major depressive disorder who meet strict criteria for treatment resistance or documented intolerance to medications, have had an adequate trial of psychotherapy without improvement, and whose treatment is ordered and directly supervised by a psychiatrist experienced in TMS. Initial treatment is typically daily on weekdays for about 6 weeks; retreatment is allowed only if prior rTMS response (>50% improvement on standardized scales) and relapse are documented. TMS is contraindicated or not covered for patients with a history of seizures (with narrow exceptions), certain neurologic conditions, active psychosis, proximate magnetic implants, and for experimental uses such as maintenance therapy or treatment of OCD.

"TMS (left prefrontal rTMS) is covered for adults (age:>=18) with a confirmed diagnosis of severe major depressive disorder (single or recurrent episode)."