Spravato- A different way to get relief from depression

• What is Spravato?
  • It is a form of ketamine that can be administered intranasally for treatment resistant depression
• When should I consider Spravato?  
  • If you have struggled with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and have tried three or more antidepressants with little to no improvement, have not achieved remission and have commercial insurance, you may be a good candidate.
• How does it work?
  • Although there is no clear mechanism of action, Spravato appears to help with glutamate transmission, reducing neurotoxic effects of depression and boosting new neuronal connections. Spravato kicks in quickly (within 40 minutes).
• What are the most common side effects?
  • Most common are: nausea, vomiting, dissociation, respiratory depression, increased blood pressure 
• What happens once it’s approved?
  • We will register you with REMS, a monitoring system required to receive Spravato. Our staff will order your medication which will be delivered to the clinic and staff will reach out to get you scheduled!  
• How do I get the medication?
  • Due to the nature of the medication, staff will order your medication through a specialty pharmacy and your medication will be sent to the clinic. Under medical supervision, you self-administer the nasal spray in the clinic in a relaxing, private room and will remain under medical supervision for at least 2 hours.
  • Each session is 2-3 hours.
  • You must have a ride home as you will not be able to drive. 
• How often do I take the medication?
  • You will start your sessions with the following schedule:
  • Weeks 1-4: 56 mg dose on day 1 then 56 or 84 mg dose twice a week
  • Weeks 5-8: 56 or 84 mg dose once a week
  • Weeks 9+: 56 or 84 mg dose every other week as needed
• What if my insurance covers the medicine, but I am out of network or have no insurance?
  • The self-pay rate for the actual visit (does not include the cost of the medication) is $250 per session. We can give you a superbill to submit to your insurance company.
• How can I get started?
  • Meet with one of our providers to determine if you are a good fit so we can start the process of getting coverage from your insurance. Or have your current provider send us this Spravato Referral Form.

If you or someone you know continues to struggle with Major Depressive Disorder and are tired of trying different oral antidepressants, schedule an appointment with one of our providers to see if this is a good option! We will expand our hours to accommodate clients as much as possible and will offer Spravato on Saturday mornings as well as during the week. We do take outside referrals so you can still see your provider while we provide your Spravato treatment. If you know someone who may be a good fit they can schedule with us or request a referral from their doctor.

You can learn more about Spravato at www.spravato.com 

Step 1: See if you qualify

You can either schedule an appointment with one of our Nurse Practitioners or get a Spravato referral from your provider. Our staff will conduct a thorough exam and history to ensure you are the right fit for Spravato. You must have a history of MDD and two oral antidepressant trials.

Step 2: Insurance approval

Once our provider has determined you are a good candidate, we will work with Spravato and your insurance to determine coverage. Insurance coverage will vary by plan. You must have insurance our providers are in-network with so your visits are covered. 

Step 3: Schedule your visit

Once approved, we work with a specialty pharmacy to have your medication delivered to our clinic. Once delivered, we'll schedule your appointment. Make room in your schedule for twice weekly appointments for your first 4 weeks and a ride home.