Affordable Ketamine Treatment: A Path to Healing Without Breaking the Bank

Feb 25

-by Erin Scraper, PMP, Chief Operating Officer for Noma

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We understand how hard it can be to find and afford the treatment you need to feel better.

In recent years, mental health treatment has seen a remarkable transformation thanks to ketamine therapy. This new approach offers hope to individuals battling tough conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. When combined with talk therapy, ketamine treatment has been shown to deliver results faster, for longer, and with more success than traditional talk therapy alone. If you've been looking for a better way to heal, ketamine therapy may be the answer.

But there's a catch: the cost can be a real roadblock for many people who could benefit from ketamine therapy. It can be frustrating, to say the least. Affordability matters. You don't want to begin treatment and start making some real progress, only to have to give up when the money runs out.

Here's the good news —at Noma Therapy, we've cracked the code on affordable ketamine therapy, making this game-changing treatment more accessible than ever.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy from Noma

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Noma Therapy offers a time bound, 14-week program that combines talk therapy with medication management, including ketamine, for treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Our approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans and leverages a team of experienced prescribers, licensed therapists, and guides. We offer at-home virtual sessions to make ketamine-assisted therapy more accessible and a trained guide monitors each dosing session.

The process starts with a free consultation and an evaluation, then we tailor a treatment program just for you. Towards the end of your program, we work with you to plan for your ongoing care post-treatment.

Sounds expensive, right? You would think so, but it isn't. Why? Because we've made it part of our mission to make ketamine treatment affordable for just about anyone by keeping the medication costs low and offering insurance coverage for talk therapy and prescriber consults through most major insurances, including Medicaid.

Let's take a deeper dive into why ketamine treatment costs what it does, and what Noma Therapy is doing to ensure you get the best of both worlds, a high-quality ketamine therapy experience at a price you can afford.

How much does ketamine treatment actually cost?

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The average cost for ketamine therapy ranges from $300 to $800 per session, which is pretty pricey, although some clinics and providers may offer package deals or discounts for multiple sessions, which can help reduce the overall price.

What factors contribute to the cost of ketamine treatment?

Honestly, there’s a bunch. We've rounded up a list to help you better think through all your options and demonstrate how Noma Therapy is leading the way:

Treatment Setting: Where ketamine treatment is administered can impact pricing. Noma's at-home setting increases your comfort while helping control the cost.
Professional Expertise: The experience and expertise of the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment also play a role. With Noma, our highly trained and specialized providers never charge exorbitant fees just because they can.
Treatment Length and Frequency: The duration and frequency of ketamine treatment sessions can affect the overall cost. Longer or more frequent sessions tend to cost more. With Noma, our program is time bound and designed to maximize your experience without increasing the cost.
Additional Services: Some ketamine treatment providers may offer additional services (like one-on-one Talk Therapy) as an add-on to a treatment package. With Noma, talk therapy, medication optimization, ketamine dosing sessions with a trained guide, and care planning are all included in the standard price.
Geographic Location: The cost of ketamine treatment can vary depending on where you live. At this time, Noma Therapy exclusively serves people living in Colorado.
Medication and Equipment: The cost of the ketamine itself and any necessary medical equipment used during the treatment contribute to the overall cost. These expenses can vary depending on the specific ketamine formula used and any additional supplies required. Noma uses a compounded form of ketamine that is taken orally in the form of a rapid dissolve tablet. It's simple, affordable, effective, and works well in a virtual therapy environment.

Can my insurance really cover the cost?

Yes, it can. And with Noma, it does.

Ketamine therapy is a medically recognized treatment for difficult-to-treat depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recently, many insurance carriers began covering the majority of the costs. However, compounded forms of ketamine like those used by Noma are generally not covered by insurers. We've taken this gap in coverage into account and capped the potential out-of-pocket cost of the medication to just $90 per dose ($360 for the full program).

Even if your insurance provider does cover your medication, you may still be responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses can include deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. Each insurance plan has its own terms and conditions, so reviewing your policy and talking to your insurance provider can be a wise move (we're happy to help with that).

With Noma, talk therapy and medication management (which are important to ensure longer-lasting, better results) are both fully covered by commercial insurance and Medicaid.

What are the potential risks of choosing other, lower-cost ketamine treatment options?

Two men stand before large, surreal paintings placed in a reflective surface, each looking into a different canvas; one depicts a stormy, tumultuous seascape, and the other a calm, sunset scene over the ocean, symbolizing a choice between two paths o

We are confident that Noma's ketamine-assisted therapy program is the highest-quality, most affordable option out there. However, it can be tempting to look for even less-expensive options, particularly if you have a copay or deductible to satisfy.

We feel it's important to consider the potential risks involved in choosing your next provider. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Quality of care: Choose a reputable clinic or provider. Other options may compromise on quality and expertise. Prioritize your health and safety by selecting a trusted partner like Noma.
Lack of personalized treatment plans: Personalized treatment plans are essential for achieving lasting results. Cheaper options may not provide tailored plans based on your specific mental health condition and medical history like Noma.
Missing safety measures: Some ketamine treatment providers may compromise on safety measures, increasing the risk of adverse effects or complications. Noma puts your well-being and safety first. All sessions are monitored by trained guides. Noma is LegitScript certified and all Noma prescribers are licensed to practice medicine by the State of Colorado and adhere to all DEA regulations for the prescribing of controlled substances.
Questionable ketamine sources: Lower-cost options may use ketamine from questionable suppliers, impacting treatment effectiveness and safety. Noma works with a select group of vetted and reputable compounding pharmacies to ensure the highest quality of ketamine for our patients.
Limited follow-up care: Effective ketamine treatment requires comprehensive follow-up care for long-term benefits. At Noma, we are with you through every step of your journey. This includes ensuring adequate post-treatment support and care planning.

Remember, when it comes to your mental health and well-being, safety, quality, and personalized care are essential. Choosing a reputable and trusted provider like Noma can significantly increase the chances of positive outcomes and minimize any risks associated with treatment.

At Noma, we’re making ketamine treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD more affordable and accessible. Our program combines talk therapy with ketamine, guided by experienced professionals, all from the comfort of your home. We've worked hard to lower costs, making this effective treatment reachable for more people by accepting most major insurances, including Medicaid. With Noma Therapy, you get high-quality care at a price you can afford, ensuring that money doesn't stand in the way of your path to healing.

If you’re ready to re-write your story, contact Noma today for a free consultation.

Erin Scraper, PMP

Prior to Noma Therapy, Erin Scraper was Chief Operating Officer of Aware Recovery Care. Before that, she was the Chief Strategy Officer for New Directions Behavioral Health. Throughout her diverse career in healthcare, she has held leadership positions with large provider groups including Federally Qualified Health Centers and the Kansas primary care association.

Erin specializes in leading large complex growth initiatives, risk management, organizational development, operations, and business process improvement, with an emphasis on Medicaid regulations and operations.

She obtained a BS in business marketing from Emporia State University, followed by a fellowship in Community Health Center Executive Leadership from University of Kansas Medical Center and an PMP from Project Management Institute.