Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No, Referrals are not required. Patients interested in receiving TMS are encouraged to reach out to the clinic directly either via telephone or e-mail. A member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
Is TMS Therapy covered by OHIP?
No, it’s not yet covered by OHIP. In 2016, Health Quality Ontario (HQO) submitted a report to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and it recommended that TMS Therapy be a covered benefit of OHIP. We are hopeful that TMS Therapy will be covered in the next couple of years but we don’t know for sure.
Does private insurance cover TMS Therapy?
Please contact your benefit or insurance provider to see if you qualify for full or partial coverage of TMS therapy. TMS is covered by most healthcare spending accounts. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident or workplace incident (WSIB) your insurance will likely cover it if it is necessary and reasonable. TMS is covered for Military and RCMP Veterans with direct billing to the insurance provider.
How much does TMS cost in Canada?
TMS sessions typically cost $250 per session in Ontario. Standard acute treatment requires between 30 to 50 sessions. Many individuals will benefit from and be recommended maintenance sessions.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our team about pricing and payment options.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our team about pricing and payment options.
Should I continue to take my antidepressants if I get TMS Therapy?
We generally recommend that clients continue on their current medication regime during TMS Treatment. This way we are able to identify whether any changes are related to TMS or not.
Will I be able to stop my medications after TMS?
Some patients are able to stop their antidepressants once they respond to TMS Therapy. Some prefer to stay on them as the two therapies act synergistically to help relieve depressive symptoms. It is determined on a case by case basis. Studies have shown that TMS treatments can “revive” an antidepressant that had lost most, if not all, its beneficial effects on a patient. That antidepressant can also be used to do the Maintenance Therapy if continuing with periodic TMS treatments is not possible.
Is TMS Therapy like electroshock treatments or ECT?
TMS therapy is not at all like Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT is a treatment based on using electricity to induce seizures. It is very effective and in many cases, it is a life-saver. ECT requires anesthesia and can have serious side-effects, including memory loss. It is only done in a hospital. On the other hand, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses magnetic pulses to non-invasively stimulate specific brain regions. TMS therapy is performed in our office while the client is alert and awake. It requires no anesthesia, is not associated with memory loss and has no systemic side effects.
Is TMS approved by Health Canada?
Yes, TMS Therapy has been approved by Health Canada for clinical use in Canada since 2002.
Who is not a good candidate for TMS?
Individuals who have failed ECT OR previously failed a complete course of rTMS (at least 30 sessions) are less likely to benefit from the treatment. However, there are many examples of individuals who have responded to TMS after ECT and also responded to different protocols of TMS.
Who cannot use TMS?
Individuals with a seizure disorder, implanted medical devices in or near the brain (cochlear ear implants, pacemakers) or who have ferromagnetic materials in the head or neck (dental work is fine) are not able to have TMS Therapy.
Is TMS worth trying?
Living with a treatment resistant condition such as depression, OCD or PTSD can be insufferable and has serious consequences including harm to self and harm to others. TMS Therapy is a safe and effective treatment and it is worth trying if medications and psychotherapy are not working.
Does TMS work permanently?
Similar to all treatments for mental health, the duration of benefit from TMS varies from individual to individual. Maintenance treatment is often recommended to reduce the risk of relapse.
Does TMS get rid of anxiety?
Research has shown that TMS Therapy is a promising treatment to reduce anxiety. Many of our clients experience a reduction in their social and general anxiety symptoms during and after treatment.
What is the success rate of TMS?
There are many different types of TMS and different protocols. We provide Deep TMS using brainsway technology. They have demonstrated clinically significant response rates in 60% of individuals treated for depression and OCD.
Why is TMS therapy so expensive?
The cost effectiveness of TMS Therapy has been demonstrated across many studies. It appears expensive in Canada because individuals are paying for it directly without any subsidy from the government. TMS is a specialized treatment that requires expensive technology, training and staff. All of which are factored into the pricing.
Who qualifies for TMS?
TMS Therapy is a treatment that many would recommend as first line if it was more widely available in our current healthcare system. TMS is helpful for many concerns but the greatest evidence is for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD.
Find out if TMS is right for you today!
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