MALVERN, PA — Neuronetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STIM) said Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and United Behavioral Health recently updated a clinical policy to allow psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to order, supervise, and administer transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, expanding access to the treatment.
The company said the policy change applies to nurse practitioners practicing in states that grant full practice authority and operating within their licensed scope of practice. Previously, TMS services under the policy were limited to psychiatrists.
Neuronetics said the update increases access to its NeuroStar therapy across 34.8 million commercially covered lives under Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and United Behavioral Health.
The expanded policy applies in 26 states and Washington, D.C., including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.
Major depressive disorder affects about 21 million adults in the United States, according to the company, with many patients not responding adequately to antidepressant medications.
Neuronetics said its NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. The company cited data from its NeuroStar Outcomes Database indicating response rates of up to 83% and remission rates of 62%.
“This policy update is recognition that nurse practitioners are highly qualified to deliver this therapy,” said Brian Banks, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and owner of Lighthouse Mental Wellness in Pembroke, Massachusetts.
Neuronetics develops and markets medical technology products for patients with neurohealth disorders, including transcranial magnetic stimulation systems.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News.