Neuronetics Announces Positive Payer Coverage Changes for NeuroStar Depression Treatment Technology Eliminating Barriers to Adoption
11-9-23 (by: Scott Gleason) Neuronetics has announced new healthcare policy updates from Magellan, BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Kansas City, and Dean Health Plan. These updates provide updated coverage for Neuronetics’ NeuroStar Advanced Therapy, a for major depressive disorder (MDD). The changes implemented by all three providers reduce the prerequisites for coverage, lowering the number of required prior antidepressant medication failures from four to two before a patient becomes eligible for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. Dean Health Plan’s changes go a step further by eliminating the necessity for a prior psychotherapy trial. Magellan, known as one of the largest behavioral health plans in the country, serves numerous commercial payors, impacting 2.4 million covered lives across multiple states. BCBS Kansas City policies cover over 600,000 lives in Missouri and Kansas, while Dean Health Plan represents nearly 609,000 covered lives in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Neuronetics has previously announced updated policies through various payers, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan, and United HealthCare.
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy for Mental Health employs transcranial magnetic stimulation to activate neurons in the brain region responsible for regulating mood. Patients undergo this therapy in a doctor’s office without requiring general anesthesia or sedation.
Keith J. Sullivan, President, and CEO of Neuronetics Inc., expressed optimism about the increased access to mental health coverage, emphasizing that reducing barriers and facilitating early access to proven treatments like NeuroStar TMS play a crucial role in addressing the mental health crisis.