I am one among many who have benefitted immensely from Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - an FDA-approved treatment heavily relied on to manage Major Depression. Medicare, however, currently imposes a lifetime limit of one round of TMS per person, and regrettably this is insufficient. Like the majority of beneficiaries, I found that the effects of TMS wear off with time, necessitating further rounds of treatment.

The current policy leaves us with two unfeasible options: either fund the outpatient treatment ourselves at around $5,000 per round or opt for 5-6 weeks of inpatient treatment in a private hospital, significantly limiting our work capacities. Both these choices are seemingly restrictive, adding unnecessary financial and emotional stress to our lives.

Recent studies, like the one published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (2016), signal the repeated administration of TMS as safe and efficacious, hinting the need to rethink current Medicare limitations. We urge Medicare to extend its funding cap and allow additional rounds of TMS, thereby easing the burden on affected individuals and enabling us to maintain our fight against Major Depression.

TMS is a commitment, with patients requiring 5 treatments per week (approx 20mins each) for 5-6 weeks. It is a time commitment and therefore is unlikely to be abused. Only those that really need it would access it. 

Improving mental health outcomes will assist in reducing the suicide rate, and allowing patients to continue to working and being with their family and friends whilst undergoing treatment.

Please sign this petition and advocate for a revised, more inclusive policy, encompassing the reality of thousands of beneficiaries' experiences like mine.