Straight answers to the questions people ask us most — about TMS, Spravato, VNS, insurance, and what it’s actually like to become a patient here. If your question isn’t below, call (516) 513-1256. A real person picks up.
Insurance & cost
Do you take Medicaid or Medicare?
Yes. We take most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Call (516) 513-1256 with your member ID and we’ll check your exact coverage in a few minutes.
Is TMS covered by insurance?
TMS is FDA-approved and covered by most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, when medication hasn’t worked. We handle the approval paperwork with you — it’s part of our job, not yours.
Will I need prior authorization?
Some treatments need insurance pre-approval. We handle that paperwork with you. Call (516) 513-1256 to get it moving.
TMS
What is TMS and how does it work?
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood. It’s FDA-approved for depression when medication hasn’t worked — no anesthesia, no surgery, about 3 minutes in the chair per session.
Is TMS legit? Is it FDA-approved?
Yes — TMS has been FDA-approved since 2008 and is backed by years of clinical evidence for treatment-resistant depression. It’s medicine, not wellness marketing.
Does TMS hurt? What are the side effects?
You’re awake the whole time. Some people feel tapping on the scalp or get a mild headache early on; that usually fades within the first sessions. Your provider goes over everything before you start.
How long does a TMS session take?
About 3 minutes in the chair. A full course is a series of sessions over several weeks — your provider maps your exact schedule at your evaluation. Most people fit it around work.
Can I drive home after TMS?
Yes. There’s no sedation, so you can drive yourself and go straight back to your day.
Spravato & VNS
What is Spravato?
Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, for adults 18 and over. You take it here in the office, and we monitor you for about two hours after — you’ll need a ride home on treatment days.
What is VNS?
VNS (vagus nerve stimulation) is an FDA-approved option for long-term, treatment-resistant depression. A small device, placed under the skin in a short procedure, sends gentle, regular signals to the vagus nerve — a pathway connected to mood areas of the brain. It’s typically considered when depression has lasted a long time and several other treatments haven’t helped. It’s not a first step. It’s a real option when the usual steps haven’t worked — worth discussing with a provider.
When nothing has worked
I’ve tried everything and nothing works. Is there any point?
That’s exactly who we’re here for. Roughly one in three people with depression doesn’t get relief from the first medications they try. When antidepressants haven’t worked, there are still real, FDA-approved options — TMS, Spravato, and VNS among them. You haven’t run out of options. You’ve run out of the usual ones.
Getting started
How soon can I be seen?
Often within the same week. Call (516) 513-1256 and we’ll check openings at the location closest to you.
What happens at the first appointment?
You’ll meet with a provider who actually has time to listen — your history, what you’ve tried, what hasn’t worked. Together you’ll map next steps. No procedures happen at a first visit.
Do you see teenagers?
We see patients 15 and up. For patients under 18, TMS may be an option (Spravato is 18 and over). Call us and we’ll walk you through what’s possible for your teen.
Other care we provide
Do you offer therapy and medication management?
Yes — psychiatric evaluations, medication management, follow-ups, and in-person therapy, with providers who take the time to get it right.
Do you treat addiction or substance use?
Yes — InnerCalm Recovery treats substance use disorders, including an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and medication-assisted treatment. Call (855) 586-7692. It’s covered by most insurance, including Medicaid.
Locations
Where are you located?
Three clinics: Hicksville (Long Island), Jamaica (Queens), and Jersey City. We’re in your neighborhood, not across the city.