CMS issues national coverage determination for TMS in treatment-resistant depression — 17 million Medicare patients now eligible
Summary
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final national coverage determination for repetitive TMS for major depressive disorder that has failed at least one antidepressant, effective immediately for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The NCD eliminates the patchwork of local coverage decisions that previously created wide geographic variation in TMS access.
Why it matters
CMS national coverage for TMS creates a single, uniform reimbursement policy covering all 17 million Medicare depression patients — the largest expansion of TMS access in the therapy's history. This will drive rapid practice expansion across community psychiatry settings beyond the academic centers that currently dominate TMS delivery.
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