Ketamine infusion therapy is an innovative treatment that has shown remarkable success in managing chronic pain and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Yet, despite its proven efficacy, ketamine infusion therapy is generally not covered by most health insurance plans.
Why Isn’t Ketamine IV Therapy Covered?
Ketamine was first approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970 for use as an analgesia and anesthetic, but it has not yet been FDA-approved to treat chronic pain, mental health conditions or psychiatric illnesses. This means that ketamine infusion therapy for the treatment of mood and pain disorders is considered an “off-label” use. Off-label prescriptions is very common in the United States, with an estimated 22-40% of all prescriptions being off-label.
Insurance providers usually do not cover off-label use because a drug is not considered effective until it is approved by the FDA, and the process to get approved is lengthy and extremely expensive. Without FDA approval, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies are free to exclude coverage for ketamine infusion therapy.
Is Ketamine Therapy Proven to Be Effective?
Although ketamine infusion therapy is not FDA-approved, there is significant medical research and many scientific studies supporting ketamine’s unmatched ability to relieve chronic pain, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other psychological symptoms. In fact, ketamine has been proven time and again to have a robust and rapid effect on chronic pain and mental health, both immediately following IV administration of the drug and long-term from the neuroplasticity effects. At Illuminate IV Therapy, we have seen these transformative and powerful effects first-hand at our ketamine therapy clinic in Newport News, VA.
How Much Does Ketamine Infusion Therapy Cost?
Each ketamine infusion therapy session is scheduled for three hours and includes one hour of NeuroSomatic Bliss preparation and one hour of Ketamine Infusion Therapy, followed by 30-60 minutes of post-infusion monitoring by our anesthesia providers. The cost per session is $600, and treatment is administered over a series of seven sessions. We offer a 10% discount if the total series is paid upfront.
Are There Financial Assistance Programs Available for Ketamine Therapy?
Illuminate IV Therapy is committed to making ketamine infusion therapy accessible to all by offering scholarships and financing options to eligible patients who need assistance. We offer several deferred interest and no interest payment options through Care Credit, as well as 14-month interest-free financing with the Advance Care card.
We are also waiving the $150 in-person consultation fee for a limited time. To schedule a free consultation for ketamine infusion therapy in Newport News, VA, contact us or call 757-863-7599.
