How does it work?
TMS works by stimulating the area of the brain responsible for depression. A small curved coil about the size of a cupped hand is placed on the patient’s head. The coil delivers a focused magnetic pulse directly to the site of mood dysregulation. The pulses are similar to those used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The treatment takes approximately 19 minutes. Patients return to normal activity after treatment.
Unlike medication, there are very few side effects.
At Park Avenue TMS , your care is our highest priority. We are dedicated to providing you with all the necessary tools and information that will make your TMS treatment as comfortable and effective as possible. Our friendly staff is available to address any of your questions or concerns every step of the way. Every patient meets with Dr. Gold for an extensive consultation. If you choose TMS, you will be assigned your personal technician who will customize your treatment and will work around your life to schedule your sessions. Park Avenue TMS at the Gold Center is open 7 days a week and we are very flexible in finding times that fit into your busy schedule.
Step-by-Step of TMS
Preliminary Phone Screening
If you’d like to commence treatment, please contact us for a preliminary phone screening.
During this initial conversation, we will gather some basic information and ask about your insurance coverage, as well as answer any questions you may have. Once we’ve contacted your insurance company, we will reach out to you again to discuss insurance coverage/payment options.
Pre-Treatment Consultation
This consultation is a chance for Dr. Gold to get to know you, your symptoms, and your medical history to determine if TMS is the best option for you. She will explain all the details of the process. After this appointment, we will submit a pre-authorization to your insurance company and coordinate your insurance coverage. We are also able to work with you to arrange an out-of-pocket payment plan, if necessary.
Brain Mapping + First Treatment
The first step for successful TMS treatment is effective mapping of the patient’s brain to determine which point on the head should receive stimulation. During the mapping session, Dr. Gold will use the TMS device to send magnetic pulses and register the brain’s response until the optimal point is identified. This visit will take approximately 1.5 hours, and includes both the mapping process and the first TMS treatment.
6-Week Treatment Course
Patients come in for treatment five days per week (Monday-Sunday) for six weeks. After mapping, subsequent sessions last approximately 20 minutes. Our treatment rooms are designed for your comfort, and we invite you to relax, watch television, or listen to your favorite music during sessions. Patients are asked to complete a weekly evaluation to measure progress. If determined necessary at any point during treatment, the technician may perform a re-mapping to improve treatment effectiveness.
3-Week Taper Period
After the six-week treatment course, there is a three-week taper period. Patients After the six-week treatment course, there is a three-week taper period. Patients will need to come into the office for three TMS sessions in the seventh week, two sessions in the eighth week, and one final session in the ninth week.
Paying for TMS
We will work with you and your insurance company throughout the treatment process to ensure that payment is as stress-free as possible. Our staff contacts your insurance company to verify your level of coverage and submits a pre-authorization before beginning treatment, while keeping you informed every step of the way.
If insurance coverage isn’t an option, we can also work with you to develop an out-of-pocket payment plan to cover the cost of treatment.
Is TMS Right for You?
If you are interested in learning more about TMS, please take our short quiz.