TMS Treatment in Knoxville, Tennessee

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What is TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique for treating treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other psychiatric and neurological conditions. TMS is the first and only FDA-approved method of treating depression that is secure and efficient without surgery or medication. It’s also beneficial in treating people with illnesses like anxiety, PTSD, OCD, addiction, ADHD, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and chronic pain, according to research.

TMS in Knoxville is typically used when other depression treatments, like medications and standard evidence-based therapy (psychotherapy), have failed.

A certified mental health professional applies a small coil that generates a swiftly alternating current to the patient’s head, targeting specific brain regions. The magnetic fields created by the electrical current boost brain activation by flowing through the scalp and bone without disrupting them. It is believed to stimulate brain areas that are less active while depressed.¹

Your TMS administrator will first need to decide where the magnets should be placed on your head and how much magnetic energy is appropriate for you. For the treatment of depression, a typical treatment plan entails five sessions per week for a duration of 4-6 weeks. Some psychiatric problems need to be treated using different procedures, which might take anywhere between 5 and 30 sessions.

Your first appointment may play out as follows:

• You’ll be led to a treatment area, instructed to sit in a recliner, and given earplugs to wear throughout the process.
• Your head will be pressed against an electromagnetic coil frequently turned on and off to create stimulating pulses. This causes a tapping or clicking sound that typically lasts for a short period before pausing. A tapping feeling will also appear on your forehead. Mapping is the term for this step in the process.
• Your doctor will gradually increase the magnetic dose until your fingers or hands begin to twitch to calculate the necessary amount of magnetic energy. This is referred to as your motor threshold and serves as a benchmark for choosing the appropriate dose for you. Depending on your symptoms and side effects, the stimulation level can be adjusted throughout the treatment.

After TMS treatment, you can resume your regular daily activities.

How Much Does TMS Treatment Cost in Knoxville?

Expenses for TMS therapy in Knoxville can vary, with or without insurance, based on your location and other factors. Therefore, the following are estimates and averages according to recent data.

TMS treatment in Knoxville commonly costs between $400 and $500 per session without insurance.² However, because most patients require multiple sessions to achieve the best outcomes, the cost may be close to $15,000.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment in Knoxville, TN, is often only covered by insurance companies for those with moderate to severe treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). You’ll need documentation demonstrating you’ve tried at least two depression medications that didn’t work in addition to a formal diagnosis. You must also show that you have tried talk therapy (psychotherapy), but the results were ineffective.³

Some insurance companies may only cover TMS for the treatment for depression. Others might not offer any coverage at all.

Insurance may be able to help cover the cost of therapy. Find out if your insurance provider can help with the costs by calling your insurance provider or by contacting us below. One of our care coordinators can help you navigate your insurance coverage and get the care you need.

How to Find the Best TMS Treatment in Knoxville, TN

Choosing the best TMS treatment center might feel like a daunting task. Making the right choice from the numerous possibilities available can be challenging. It’s essential to research, read reviews, and/or ask others who have undergone TMS about their experiences.

Verifying that a treatment center specializes in TMS is the first step. Many mental health facilities provide TMS in Knoxville. However, not all of them are equally skilled. You must be confident that the facility providing your care is skilled in what they are doing. Additionally, determine whether the personnel has received TMS training and what kind of experience they have using this technique to treat patients.

The accreditation status of the center is a further vital consideration. You should be sure that a respectable organization has screened the TMS center you select because numerous organizations accredit TMS centers. This will comfort you in knowing that the center has complied with requirements and is a secure location for receiving care.⁴

Furthermore, you can inquire about the following:

• What are the treatment center’s success rates with TMS?
• Is the doctor administering TMS in Knoxville recognized as an expert?
  • What are the doctor’s credentials?
• Is the equipment state-of-the-art?
• Are they willing to cooperate with your primary care physician?

Get TMS With Athena Care in Knoxville

Knoxville TMS treatment is just a phone call away (615-320-1155) with Athena Care’s TMS clinic at 10133 Sherrill Boulevard, Suite 220, Knoxville, TN 37932. Not only is it a state-of-the-art facility with trained and highly qualified TMS clinicians, but we are also in-network with most major insurance plans.

Filling out our free, no-obligation online insurance verification form is the most efficient way to determine the specifics of your insurance coverage for TMS in Knoxville. Our expert and knowledgeable care coordinators will handle the challenges of communicating with your insurance provider for more information about your coverage. After you submit the form, a care coordinator will review your policy and thoroughly explain your options. You can rest assured that any information you provide or discuss is confidential.

We are open Monday through Friday, 7 am – 6 pm.

Find out more about our Knoxville, TN Mental Health Clinic.