You’ve heard about this unique mental health treatment, and are considering giving it a try. But is it even something you could afford? Exactly how much does ketamine therapy cost?
The answer: it depends.
Ketamine therapy is a novel mental health treatment that has proven to be very effective, giving hope to many people suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Though it is becoming more widely accepted, it is a fairly new treatment; and pricing can vary widely.
Many factors impact the cost of treatment: where you receive the treatment, the type of ketamine you receive, and the adjunct care you receive while undergoing ketamine therapy. In this post, we’ll explore those factors, and let you know the most affordable, effective ways to access this treatment.
One of the largest factors in cost comes down to where you receive your treatment.
In-person ketamine therapy takes place at a clinic or hospital, where medical professionals closely monitor your treatment. This option provides a high level of safety due to the supervision and immediate access to medical care. However, it can be very inconvenient or even impossible due to the need for travel, the time commitment (up to 2 hours for monitoring), and the restriction on driving afterward. Receiving ketamine treatment at an outside facility is also significantly more expensive than the alternative options.
At-home ketamine therapy, on the other hand, requires no travel and allows you the convenience of undergoing treatment in the privacy of your own home. Depending on the dosage, you may be expected to have a trusted person at home with you for treatment; or you might be monitored via telehealth by a care provider. It’s important to note that ketamine treatments available for at-home use are not FDA-approved. While compounded treatments are commonly used, it is important to make sure your prescriber is qualified and partnering with high-quality pharmacies to ensure that safety is taken seriously.
Noma Therapy offers sublingual ketamine in the form of a compounded Rapid Dissolve Tablet (RDT). We consider safety a priority, and we only partner with reputable, certified pharmacies that have high safety standards. The use of compounded RDTs allows us to provide ketamine therapy that is accessible, affordable, and safely taken in your home.
Ketamine comes in several different forms. While the manners in which the body absorbs the drug differ, the ketamine interacts with your brain in the same way regardless of the type of treatment you choose.
Intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy involves receiving a ketamine infusion through a needle placed in your vein. This method delivers ketamine directly into your bloodstream. Ketamine infusions can only be administered in a clinic or hospital setting, where a medical professional will insert a needle into your vein and allow the ketamine to slowly infuse for around 45 minutes.
Intramuscular (IM) ketamine therapy consists of a shot of ketamine into a muscle, usually in your thigh or arm. It also requires a visit to a clinic, where a healthcare provider will give you the injection and then monitor you for any adverse effects.
Intranasal (IN) ketamine therapy uses a nasal spray to deliver the medication. The FDA has approved an intranasal treatment called Spravato, which can only be administered by authorized professionals in a healthcare setting that follows specific protocols.
Sublingual (SL) ketamine therapy uses a tablet that dissolves under your tongue. This treatment can be done at home, making it the most accessible form of ketamine treatment. An additional benefit of at-home treatment is the comfort of being in your own space, avoiding the additional stress of being in an unfamiliar clinical environment.
Now that you know your options when it comes to treatment setting and type of treatment, let’s take a look at how these factors are reflected in the overall pricing:
IV Ketamine treatments cost on average $400-$800 per infusion. Most treatment plans consist of 6 initial infusions followed by maintenance sessions, leading to a total cost of $2,400-$4,800. Costs may be even higher depending on where you are receiving your treatment and the level of care provided.
IM Ketamine treatments cost slightly less, around $300-$600 per treatment. Costs vary based on your location, the type of clinic you are receiving treatment from, and your treatment plan.
Intranasal (Spravato) treatments are an expensive option, costing around $800 per treatment out of pocket. You also have to pay for monitoring, which can cost $200-$400 per visit. Spravato is an FDA-approved brand name medication, and there is no cheaper generic version. Many insurance plans do cover Spravato, making it an affordable option for some. However, getting insurance coverage can be complicated. For treatment-resistant depression, most insurance providers require you to submit documentation of multiple failed medications before they will authorize the treatment. This can turn into a lengthy and frustrating process, which will further delay your treatment.
Sublingual ketamine is the most affordable form of ketamine therapy. Costs average around $200 per dose, with additional fees for visits with your care provider. Noma offers sublingual ketamine for $90 per dose, and accepts Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans for adjunct psychotherapy and medication management visits - making our program among the most affordable available options for ketamine treatment.
Mental health issues can be overwhelming, and are often challenging to treat. While ketamine is an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, it ideally should be combined with psychotherapy and any necessary medication management in order to maximize and sustain its benefits.
When you’re struggling with mental health issues, it’s important to have a treatment plan that covers all the bases. Ketamine is a powerful tool. It often works quickly to reduce symptoms and helps restore normal brain function. This can give you a sense of relief and a much-needed break from some of the intense feelings you might be experiencing.
But that alone isn’t enough - you also need talk therapy to help you understand and reinforce those changes in your brain. Research has shown that the combination of ketamine treatment and psychotherapy results in significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas people who receive ketamine treatment alone may be more likely to relapse. One study found that combining ketamine with therapy resulted in significant improvement that lasted up to six months. It’s the combination of ketamine and psychotherapy that makes this treatment uniquely long-lasting and impactful.
Medication management is another crucial piece of the puzzle. You should work with a licensed provider who can help optimize any other medications you might be taking, ensuring they work well with the ketamine treatments. This careful balance is important for your overall health, and it helps maintain the progress you’ve made.
Costs of therapy and medication management can vary, depending on the type of provider and your insurance coverage. Therapy sessions may cost $100-$200 an hour out of pocket, and medication management could cost over $300 per session. While your health insurance may cover a portion of these costs, the additional expense on top of the ketamine prices usually adds up to a pretty expensive treatment plan.
Fortunately, Noma offers a program that makes integrated, effective ketamine therapy completely affordable and accessible. We accept Medicaid and most major commercial insurance for therapy and psychiatry treatment (subject to your policy’s copay); and the ketamine itself is offered at the lowest price point possible.
At Noma, we’re committed to making ketamine therapy affordable and accessible to everyone. We offer a 14-week program that combines talk therapy, medication management, and ketamine sessions from home. You’ll have access to qualified prescribers and licensed therapists, and will receive virtual visits with an expert guide who will monitor your dosing sessions. We start with a free consultation, and then design a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We’ve worked to make sure that this effective treatment is accessible to everyone who needs it. Our costs are far lower than infusion clinics and other treatment centers, and comes with the benefit of receiving treatment from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you’ll receive treatment that is integrated with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and medication management; intended to maximize the benefits and get results that last.
Our talk therapy and medication mangement are covered by health insurance, and we accept most major commercial insurance plans as well as Medicaid. The ketamine may not be covered, but costs a maximum of $90 per dose, which is a total of $360 for the 14-week program. This is far less than similar at-home ketamine treatments, and we’ve ensured that you’re getting the highest quality of care at the lowest possible price.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature
Ketamine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Ketamine and psychotherapy for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: systematic review - PMC
