For Patients, Providers, and Family Members

We know that seeking out treatment for depression and anxiety can feel overwhelming.

Our goal is to provide you with the materials to help you feel informed, confident and comfortable when you, a loved one, or your patient begins treatment with us.

Step 1

Contact our Clinical Coordinator by calling or emailing the clinic.

We will help you understand the pricing and scheduling of treatment, answer any questions you might have about getting started, and set up your patient profile.

Step 2

Phone intake with our staff Social Worker.

We want to collect as much information as we can about your current symptoms and health history so that we can provide the best possible treatment for you.

Step 3

Psychiatric evaluation with a Staff Psychiatrist.

You'll meet with one of our experienced, compassionate psychiatrists to discuss your treatment options and build a plan together that works for you.

Step 4

Start receiving treatment.

Our staff will work with you to obtain any necessary prior authorizations, and schedule treatment based on your availability and treatment plan.

Get Started

Billing and Insurance

Ketamine

Please contact the clinic for information on our ketamine infusion rates.

Ketamine treatment begins with a psychiatric evaluation. Based on your needs, the doctors will recommend the number of infusions they believe are appropriate to treat your symptoms. Treatment usually begins with a series of six infusions. After your sixth infusion, you would meet with the doctor for a follow up visit to assess the results and develop a continuing treatment plan as necessary.

Though we aren't in network with any insurance companies for ketamine treatment, some may provide reimbursement directly to patients on a case-by-case basis. Since we are out of network providers, you will need to have out of network benefits through your plan to receive reimbursement. You must also meet a specific set of diagnostic criteria which you can call your insurer about and ask for directly. MassHealth, Medicare, and supplemental plans through these providers do not provide reimbursement for out of network providers.

Where appropriate, Cambridge Biotherapies can submit a prior authorization to your insurance provider following your evaluation. If the prior authorization is approved, this will increase your likelihood of getting reimbursed. You would pay out of pocket for each treatment, and then submit itemized receipts or superbills to your insurance company for reimbursement.

If you have questions about insurance coverage for ketamine, please first contact your insurance provider, ask if they have a formal policy about ketamine infusions for mental health, and then call the clinic with your questions.

TMS

The Cambridge Biotherapies TMS Clinic is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Pending that patients with this plan meet the necessary diagnostic criteria for rTMS treatment, they will be able to receive treatment at the in-network rate.

Many other health insurers in Massachusetts including Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan, Aetna, and United Behavioral Health have policies for rTMS coverage. If you have one of these insurance plans, you will need to meet their diagnostic criteria and have out of network coverage in order to receive rTMS treatment at Cambridge Biotherapies.

Cambridge Biotherapies will either submit insurance claims on behalf of our patients or guide them through the submission process if they prefer to deal directly with their own insurance companies.

Unfortunately, we are not contracted with MassHealth plans, Medicare, or Medicare supplemental plans through private insurance companies. These types of insurance plans do not cover out-of-network treatment, therefore treatment at Cambridge Biotherapies would not be eligible for coverage or reimbursement. Please note that this includes BCBS of MA Medicare supplemental plans or 65+ plans.

Please contact the clinic for information about out of pocket costs for Accelerated TMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many of our new patients have similar questions when they begin treatment with us. In this section, we'll do our best to address common inquiries. We encourage you to reach out to the clinic if you have questions that aren't answered here.

What conditions do ketamine and TMS treat?

Please visit our What We Treat page to read about the conditions that ketamine and TMS can treat, and to learn more about them.

How much does ketamine treatment cost?

Please contact the clinic for information about our rates, and reference our Insurance and Billing section for information about potential insurance reimbursement.

How much does TMS treatment cost?

Please reference our Insurance and Billing section for information about what rTMS costs and insurance coverage. Please contact the clinic for information about our out of pocket rates for Accelerated TMS.

How soon will I begin to feel better and how long will it last?

It can take 2-6 weeks before the benefits from TMS become noticeable, although response time is typically shorter than that of medication. We obtain weekly symptom reports using valid assessments to monitor response and adjust treatment as clinically indicated. We work with patients and outside treaters on an ongoing basis to assess the need for booster sessions and other longer–term treatment options. With ketamine therapy, many patients will begin to feel better within hours of the first infusion. Patients with thoughts of self–harm may notice those thoughts dissipating first. Other patients may not notice any mood improvement until the next day, while others may require up to 6 or more infusions before feeling better.

I am a provider. How can I recommend TMS or ketamine treatment to my patient?

Please contact the clinic via email to request our New Patient Information packets. These documents contain both logistical and clinical information about each treatment, which can be used as a guide to discuss ketamine and TMS with your patients before they contact us.

How can I expect to feel during ketamine infusions?

Psychologically, everyone’s experience of ketamine is different, but many people describe similar sensations. You may feel relaxed, that you are floating, or even that you are somehow outside of your body. You may notice you have double vision or see colors more brightly than normal. Many people feel that they somehow lose a sense of self - that the past and future are not present for them. You may feel open or vulnerable, and we encourage you to speak with our staff about what would support your feeling of safety and comfort throughout your treatment with us. A side effect of ketamine can be nausea, which is easily alleviated by the intravenous or oral administration of Zofran, or another anti-nausea medication.

Will my current psychiatric medications interfere with my treatment?

Psychiatric medications do not interfere with TMS or ketamine therapy, and there is no need to stop them. It is possible that benzodiazepines, like Ativan and valium, may blunt the effects of ketamine, however there is no definitive research demonstrating this. You should not decrease or discontinue any prescribed medication without first consulting your prescribing physician.

Is ketamine used as a recreational drug?

Yes. Like many other psychoactive medications, ketamine has been used for non–medical purposes. Ketamine is a controlled substance, and must be prescribed by a physician.

Can ketamine and TMS treatments lead to memory loss?

Unlike ECT, there is no memory loss associated with TMS or ketamine. In fact, there is some evidence that these treatments may enhance cognition.

How do I know if ketamine or TMS is right for me?

Ketamine infusions and TMS are recommended to alleviate symptoms of myriad psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Most people who are suffering from these conditions are good candidates for one or both of these treatment modalities, especially if the conditions are characterized as treatment-resistant. The only disorder we cannot provide treatment for is schizophrenia, or other schizoid disorders. Certain clinical adjustments are made for patients who have active or recently active substance use disorders to ensure the best possible treatment.
Our administrative staff can help you weigh the logistical factors of each treatment modality such as pricing, insurance coverage, and scheduling, and once you have an evaluation with the doctor, they will make their clinical recommendation about which treatment is most appropriate for you.

Can I initiate treatment for my dependent or adult loved one?

If you are a parent or guardian initiating treatment for your minor dependent, we can work with you to start the intake process. Your dependent would need to be involved in certain steps of the intake process such as the phone intake and psychiatric evaluation.

If you are inquiring about treatment for an adult loved one, we can provide you with plenty of information to pass along to them. Eventually, our staff would need to speak with them directly to initiate the intake process.

Do I need a referral from an outside treater to get started?

No. We consult directly with patients who are interested in pursuing TMS or ketamine, though we work closely with outside treaters whenever necessary.

I am a provider. Will I be involved in my patient’s treatment at your clinic?

Yes, to the degree that you and your patient wish. Upon receiving permission from the patient, we will share our intake note with their primary treaters. Our clinical staff is available to collaborate with outside treaters at the provider or patient’s request.

How can I expect to feel during TMS sessions?

You will sit in a comfortable recliner during treatments, and are welcome to listen to music, use your own smartphone, read a book, or just sit peacefully for the duration of treatment. TMS treatments have been described as having a "tapping" sensation, not unlike someone tapping their finger on your scalp.

Do I need someone to accompany me to treatment?

You do not need to have someone accompany you to TMS, though you are welcome to bring a companion. You do not need to have someone bring you to a ketamine infusion, but we do suggest that someone is available to drive you home. We advise you not to drive a car until the following morning after ketamine infusion.

Can I eat or drink before treatment?

There are no food or drink restrictions for TMS. Since ketamine can sometimes cause nausea, you should not eat or drink for 4 hours prior to an infusion.

Is addiction a risk in ketamine treatment?

There is no evidence that Ketamine used to treat depression leads to dependence or addiction.

Are Cambridge Ketamine and Cambridge TMS connected to Cambridge Biotherapies?

Yes. Cambridge Ketamine and Cambridge TMS are divisions of Cambridge Biotherapies.