What You Should Know:
– Neuronetics, Inc. and Humana announce a significant step forward in adolescent mental healthcare. This collaboration offers new hope for young people struggling with major depressive disorder (MDD) by making transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy more accessible.
– Humana, a health insurance provider, has become the first commercial payer to update its policy in response to the FDA’s recent clearance of NeuroStar TMS for adolescents aged 15-21 with MDD. This is a major breakthrough, as Humana’s policy covers approximately 600,000 young individuals in the United States.
– This update comes just one month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted clearance for NeuroStar TMS as a first-line add-on treatment for adolescent MDD. Humana’s revised policy acknowledges this advancement, requiring medical director review for treatment requests from adolescents aged 15-17. Previously, Humana’s TMS coverage extended only to adults.
Addressing a Growing Need
Adolescent depression is a critical public health concern. Statistics show that an estimated 4.3 million adolescents aged 15-21 in the US experience MDD. This condition can significantly impact academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being during a crucial developmental period.
Offering a New Option
NeuroStar TMS therapy provides a non-drug, noninvasive treatment option for adolescents who haven’t found satisfactory relief with traditional medication. This innovative approach uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions associated with mood regulation.
“The FDA clearance for NeuroStar TMS is the most significant treatment advancement in years for the often-underserved adolescent patient population. Humana’s quick action to acknowledge NeuroStar’s availability for young people 15 and older underscores this urgent mental health need,” stated Keith J. Sullivan, President & CEO of Neuronetics, Inc. “We’re also gratified to see that our health policy strategy is contributing to positive policy changes for TMS coverage. Collectively, our efforts will benefit not only the young people affected by depression, but also their parents and families who are looking for a way to help them.”
