How Much Does Ketamine Therapy Cost in Florida?
Takeaway: Ketamine-assisted therapy is a relatively new treatment for several different mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and trauma. But how much does it cost? Here, we share everything you need to know about ketamine treatment cost–and why it’s completely worth it.
Embark on a journey with us as we delve into the intriguing realm of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a groundbreaking approach to addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma with a medicine that has been used safely for decades. But before you venture further, let's address the burning question: What is the cost of this innovative treatment?
In this post, we'll explore the various routes of ketamine administration, identify the factors influencing its cost, provide insights into the actual expenses involved, investigate whether insurance covers this therapy, and ultimately, discuss why the investment in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is deemed entirely worthwhile for the profound impact it can have on mental health.
Understanding ketamine therapy
Ketamine therapy can be used solely as a method of healing and support for various mental health conditions including treatment resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and OCD. Ketamine clinics are popping up across the country offering ketamine infusions through various routes of administration (IV ketamine infusions, IM (intra-muscular), nasal spray, sublingual).
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a space where mental health therapy and the therapeutic effects of ketamine unite. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy isn't an instant solution or a magic cure, but rather a dynamic collaboration between you and a trained therapist. By combining ketamine with talk therapy, we can navigate deeper layers of consciousness to address trauma, depression, anxiety, and more.
Ketamine infusion cost can vary significantly depending on the route of administration. Opting for sublingual methods generally offers a more budget-friendly choice, while IV ketamine infusion treatments tend to come with a higher price tag. Although ketamine therapy is often considered "new and cutting-edge," the medical use of ketamine itself has a decades-long track record of safety. What is new is its application for mental health issues and complex psychiatric symptoms, and use in conjunction with mental health therapy.
Factors affecting ketamine therapy cost
Ketamine therapy across the country can vary significantly. Factors that affect ketamine therapy cost include geographic location, administration method, session and cycle frequency, and clinician expertise. Each of these elements influence the overall cost structure you can expect to pay for ketamine therapy.
Geographic Location:
Urban areas tend to have a higher cost of ketamines for depression and various mental health concerns as a result of increased operational expenses and higher overhead. Depending on the pharmacy location and transportation of the ketamine to the clinic or home can dictate the cost.
Administration Method:
The chosen route of administration can include IV ketamine infusions, intramuscular injections, intranasal sprays, or sublingual tablets. IV ketamine infusions ranges land at higher price points while sublingual tablets can be a more cost-effective option.
Treatment Plan:
The recommended number of cycles of treatment can vary based on your personalized treatment plan. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy typically includes an intake session, prep sessions, dosing sessions, and integration sessions. Complex or more severe mental health conditions may increase the recommended number of ketamine therapy sessions. Additionally, maintenance infusions should be considered when considering the cost of ketamine treatments.
Therapist Expertise:
The qualifications and experience of clinicians providing the therapy can influence costs. Typically, you can expect doctors and nurse practitioners to charge a higher rate than master's level clinicians (clinical mental health and licensed social workers).
Clinics may offer supplemental therapies in conjunction with ketamine infusions, retreat format, and overall aesthetic and extra amenities may come with a higher price tag. It's important to note that ketamine for pain protocols tend to come at a higher cost than for mental health treatments.
How much does ketamine treatment cost?
The most significant factor that influences the treatment of ketamine therapy is route of administration. IV (intravenous) and IM (intramuscular) infusions involve added expenses, accounting for medicine storage, and the presence of medical professionals with specialized credentials. No matter what administration route you choose, an intake session is required for the prescription of ketamine. You can expect the intake to range from $200 to $375, with an average cost of ketamine treatments for patients as follows:
IV: $400-$1,200 per ketamine infusion cost (often offered in cycle packages of 6-8 infusions).
IM: $300-$1,200 per session (often offered in cycle packages of 4-8 sessions)
Intranasal: $700-$1,000 for one month's supply.
Oral/Sublingual: $60-120 for 4-6 sessions worth. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy in a therapist's office or done via Zoom with a therapist will have an additional cost of the therapist's rate ($100-$250/hour). Therapist hourly cost varies based on therapist's experience, location, and expertise. Some therapists and several companies including Mindbloom and Journey Clinical offer options for folks to benefit from ketamine treatments from their comfort of their home via Zoom with a therapist for KAP or just as a treatment on your own.
Spravato/Esketamine: $500 per session
Is ketamine therapy covered by insurance?
Exploring the potential of ketamine treatment reveals its effectiveness either as a complement to existing therapies or a standalone solution. However, financial considerations pose a significant hurdle for many. As therapists and providers navigate this emerging field, prioritizing accessibility for patients is crucial. Despite limited insurance provider coverage, especially by plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield in specific regions, challenges persist due to the FDA's hesitance in approving ketamine for mental health conditions and its experimental classification, dissuading comprehensive coverage of ketamine infusions.
While some insurance options exist to cover ketamine infusions and maintenance infusions, the process is complex, often requiring pre-authorization, appeals, and a history of failed treatments. Many ketamine clinics avoid insurance involvement, limiting patient assistance. Despite partial reimbursement in some cases, achieving full coverage remains rare, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in making ketamine treatments financially accessible. For folks where in-network and out-of-network benefits are not an option, ketamine clinics offer payment plans for most patients. The need for continued exploration and advocacy in insurance coverage is vital to bridge the gap and ensure wider access.
Why ketamine therapy is worth it
Exploring ketamine therapy for managing persistent feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety holds promise due to its swift and well-established benefits. Extensive research over many years underscores its safety and efficacy.
Beyond its mood-improving effects, ketamine therapy contributes to the repair of brain regions impacted by prolonged emotional distress, fostering neurogenesis and neural pathway recovery. This transformative approach also facilitates novel perspectives and emotional experiences, promoting mental resilience by disrupting patterns of negative thinking or ways you may be "stuck".
Despite the considerable investment of time and resources, many individuals attest to long-lasting positive changes in their lives. The therapy's mechanism involves repairing and growing neural connections in the brain. If considering ketamine therapy for emotional well-being, consulting with a healthcare professional beforehand is advisable to gain insights into potential outcomes and suitability for you.
Get in touch to learn more about how ketamine treatments can help you heal.
At RI, we currently collaborate with Journey Clinical, a company specializing in KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy). This collaborative care model ensures you receive the comprehensive care you deserve. Your journey begins with a psychiatric intake at Journey, priced at $250. Following this, you'll be prescribed two dosing sessions of ketamine coming out to around $60-$85.
After thorough preparation sessions and history-taking, we'll schedule your three-hour-long medicine sessions, with a dedicated 60-90 minutes for an integration session, preferably the day after. Following the first two medicine sessions, a follow-up with Journey will occur for $150 and 6 dosing sessions worth of ketamine will be prescribed (approximately $100-$140).
KAP has proven highly beneficial for individuals who feel "stuck" despite years of talk therapy, EMDR, psychiatric medication, and self-help attempts. The combination of psychedelic therapy with EMDR has shown significant improvements in mood, processing, and overall outlook on life. We're committed to providing you with an effective and supportive approach to mental health.
