Now In-Network With BCBS Texas, United Healthcare, Aetna, TriWest, Superior & Cigna!
We are elated to announce our certification as a Spravato® REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) treatment center, located near Austin, Texas! Spravato® is a prescribed medicine, typically administered alongside an oral antidepressant. This ketamine-based nasal spray, esketamine, has been a beacon of hope, demonstrating extraordinary efficacy in clinical research, particularly for adults grappling with treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. Our center is steadfast in providing this innovative treatment, aiming to alleviate the burdens of depression and enhance the mental well-being of our community in and around Austin.
Complete the following to learn more about your insurance benefits!
Because esketamine is a pseudo psychedelic treatment for depression, during your experience you may experience lucid dreaming, time distortion or nausea. Your Provider will assist you throughout your treatment.
Your blood pressure will be checked prior to your treatment starting, 40 minutes after it starts, and again before you leave.
After treatment, you may feel groggy or woozy. You may not drive after treatment, so you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Because esketamine is a pseudo psychedelic treatment for depression, during your experience you may experience lucid dreaming, time distortion or nausea. Your Provider will assist you throughout your treatment.
Your blood pressure will be checked prior to your treatment starting, 40 minutes after it starts, and again before you leave.
After treatment, you may feel groggy or woozy. You may not drive after treatment, so you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Spravato® helped Nicole’s treatment-resistant depression. Now, she’s resuming her education and sharing her story.
Allison’s son tried many oral antidepressants without relief. Now, because of Spravato®,
Allison’s son is starting to feel like himself again.
Spravato® shows significant promise in treating depression in conjunction with an oral antidepressant.
At Nepenthe Wellness Center, we prioritize transparency and convenience when it comes to billing for ketamine treatment. Our streamlined process ensures that patients receive the care they need without unnecessary financial stress.
We handle the billing process directly with your insurance carrier for the covered portion of your treatment. This means you don’t have to worry about submitting claims or dealing with complex paperwork.
While we bill insurance for the covered portion, there may be additional costs not covered by your insurance plan. Our billing specialist will work closely with you to clearly communicate any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
Prior to your first appointment, our dedicated billing specialist will work with you to verify your insurance benefits. This ensures that you have a clear understanding of your coverage and any potential financial responsibility
Based on the information gathered during the verification process, our billing specialist will provide you with a good faith estimate of the cost of treatment. This estimate will outline the expected out-of-pocket expenses, allowing you to plan accordingly.
If your insurance carrier requires authorization for ketamine treatment, our team will assist in obtaining the necessary documentation to ensure a seamless process.
We believe in open communication regarding financial matters. Our team is available to address any questions or concerns you may have about the billing process.
Our goal is to make your experience at Nepenthe Wellness Center as smooth and worry-free as possible. Rest assured, our billing specialist is here to guide you through every step, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the financial aspect of your treatment.
Patients seeking treatment with Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray near Austin should first arrange a consultation call with a care coordinator to discuss initial questions, concerns, and insurance benefits.
Following the consultation, an office visit with a prescribing provider should be scheduled to review the patient’s medical history, medication list, and assess the risks involved with the treatment, including Spravato dosage and Spravato dosing guidelines. During this first visit, the provider will also map out your treatment plan and scheduling with you.
Upon completion, the patient will be enrolled in the Spravato® REMS program to monitor any serious side effects that may occur during treatment. On the next visit, the patient can begin the Spravato dose regimen.
So, which is the best treatment for TRD or MDD, Spravato or IV ketamine? The decision will depend on the severity of the disorder, the patient’s medical history, and their financial situation. Spravato, the only FDA-approved option for these conditions and often covered by insurance, is administered twice a week over four weeks. It is a fast-acting treatment that can have positive effects on symptoms within hours.
Both Spravato and IV ketamine are administered in a medical setting by healthcare professionals. IV ketamine is an off-label, intravenous treatment for severe depression, typically given in twice-weekly sessions over several weeks. Although not FDA-approved and usually not covered by insurance, it is highly effective, with patients often experiencing symptom relief within days.
Choosing between ketamine infusions and Spravato® depends on specific medical needs and circumstances. It is crucial to consult with a doctor to discuss which treatment option is best suited for your individual needs
| KETAMINE IV INFUSION | SPRAVATO | |
| Administration | Ketamine is administered through an IV infusion over an hour. | Spravato is self-administered in two to three successive intranasal sprays administered in five-minute increments. |
| Dosage | The dose is determined by weight and titrated over the series of six infusions based on the patient’s comfort and vitals. | Spravato comes in two doses 56mg and 84mg. Your healthcare provider will select the appropriate dose based on your response to the treatment. |
| Bioavailability | The bioavailability of IV ketamine is 100%. | Esketamine has a bioavailability of approximately 50%. Things such as clogged nasal passages and swallowing part of the medication can affect the the bioavailability. |
| Administration Time-Frame | Ketamine is administered in six treatments over the course of two to four weeks. Maintenance infusions are often needed, and the frequency is individualized based on the response of the patient. | Weeks 1 to 4: Spravato is administered twice a week for eight doses. Weeks 5 to 8: Once weekly Week 9 and after: Every 2 weeks or once weekly* *Dosing frequency will be individualized to the least frequent dosing to maintain remission/response. |
| Medication Conjunction | Ketamine can be administered in conjunction or as a single treatment for clients with MDD. | Spravato must be given in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. |
| Treatment Time | IV ketamine infusions last for an hour, but we recommend booking yourself for 90 minutes to give you time to recover. | Spravato is a minimum of 2 hours after the initial dose is administered. |
| Insurance Coverage | Currently, insurance does not pay for the cost of ketamine treatment. Your insurance provider may however reimburse you once treatment is received. | Your insurance may cover the cost of Spravato. Your responsibility could be as little as $10 for each dose. |
| Diagnosis Treated | Major Depressive Disorder Obsessive Disorders PTSD Anxiety Disorders Neuropathic pains | FDA approved for major depressive disorder |
Spravato® can cause serious side effects, including:
Before you take Spravato®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicines. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® when used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth include:
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If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.
SPRAVATO™ is a prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults.
SPRAVATO™ is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO™ is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO™ is safe and effective in children.
With the success of ketamine seen across the nation the creation of an FDA approved treatment was inevitable. In 2019 a nasal spray, Esketamine also known as Spravato was approved for the treatment of TRD.
With the addition of this new medication patients now have the option to utilize either ketamine or esketamine treatments for their depression.
You will take SPRAVATO™ nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the SPRAVATO™ nasal spray device.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SPRAVATO™ you will take and when you will take it.
Follow your SPRAVATO™ treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
During and after each use of the SPRAVATO™ nasal spray device, you will be checked by a healthcare provider who will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
You will need to plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO™.
If you miss a SPRAVATO™ treatment, your healthcare provider may change your dose and treatment schedule.
Some people taking SPRAVATO™ get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO™ and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO™.
If you take a nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine take these medicines at least 1 hour before taking SPRAVATO™.
SPRAVATO™ may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO™ when used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth include: dissociation, dizziness, nausea, sedation, spinning sensation, reduced sense of touch and sensation, anxiety, lack of energy, increased blood pressure, vomiting, and feeling drunk.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO™.
Please refer to the manufacturer’s Prescribing Information and Medication Guide or visit www.SPRAVATO.com.
Spravato is more often than not covered by insurance providers; however, its always best to double check with your insurance company
Spravato® can cause serious side effects, including:
Before you take Spravato®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicines. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® when used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth include:
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If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.
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