SAINT Depression Treatment Gets Major Coverage Boost for 2025
In a landmark decision that could reshape mental health treatment access, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved significant payment coverage for SAINT® neuromodulation therapy. Announced on November 12, 2024, this ruling promises to make cutting-edge depression treatment more accessible to Medicare patients struggling with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TR-MDD).
The Stakes Are High
Treatment-resistant depression affects over half of all depression patients who don't respond to conventional medications and psychotherapy. For these individuals, SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) represents a revolutionary approach to brain stimulation treatment.
"I've witnessed firsthand the suffering and debilitating effects of treatment-resistant depression. For many people, traditional treatments don't always prove effective," explains Dr. Baron Short, Medical Director of Brain Stimulation Service at MUSC Health. "With this new CMS rule, SAINT therapy will be accessible to a wider range of patients, potentially changing lives of those who have previously been unable to find relief from their intractable depression."
Breaking Down the Numbers
The new CMS ruling sets specific payment rates that make SAINT therapy financially viable in hospital outpatient settings:
$3,750.50 per treatment day
$950 for SAINT Targeting
Total protocol reimbursement of $19,703.00
Starting January 1, 2025, these rates ensure hospitals can provide the resources needed for precise, individualized treatment protocols.
How SAINT Works
What sets SAINT apart is its precision medicine approach. The therapy uses structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to feed a proprietary algorithm, which then identifies the optimal brain location for neurostimulation in each patient. This individualized targeting helps explain the therapy's impressive success rates in treating major depression.
The treatment follows an accelerated five-day timeline, minimizing disruption to patients' lives while maximizing therapeutic impact. This compressed timeline represents a significant advance over traditional TMS protocols that typically require 4-6 weeks of treatment.
A Broader Revolution in Depression
SAINT's coverage approval comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of neuromodulation therapies. Christian Gormsen, president and CEO of Magnus Medical, notes, "The decision by CMS marks a major milestone for the treatment of those who suffer from treatment-resistant depression. It also reflects the growing body of clinical evidence supporting the use of SAINT therapy as a potentially lifesaving treatment."
The implications of this CMS decision extend beyond immediate patient access. By establishing clear reimbursement pathways for advanced neuromodulation treatments, this ruling may accelerate the adoption of similar innovative therapies in the mental health field. For patients who have exhausted traditional treatment options, these developments offer new hope for recovery.
Sources
Magnus Medical, Inc. (2024, November 12). Magnus Medical Announces CMS Approval of New Payment Rate for SAINT Treatment in 2025 Hospital Outpatient Rule https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241112016592/en/Magnus-Medical-Announces-CMS-Approval-of-New-Payment-Rate-for-SAINT-Treatment-in-2025-Hospital-Outpatient-Rule
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