Questions to ask a Spravato, ketamine or TMS clinic
The questions that separate a well-run clinic from a marketing operation, organized by topic, with the answers you should expect to hear.
Updated · Checked by the Covered Mind editorial team against cited sources
Key facts
- Last checked:
- Sources listed: 2
- Reading time: About 2 minutes
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Last checked | |
| Sources listed | 2 |
| Reading time | About 2 minutes |
Credentials and setting
Check Spravato (esketamine), ketamine, and TMS coverage in the coverage checker and read coverage rules by insurer. Verified clinic listings will appear on the Spravato overview.
- Who prescribes and who is present during treatment? Expect a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner or, for infusions, an anesthesia clinician, with a nurse in the room.
- For Spravato (esketamine): are you REMS certified? (Must be yes.)
- For TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation): which device, and how many patients have you treated?
- What happens in a medical emergency? Expect a clear answer about equipment and protocol.
Fit for you
- What is your screening process? Expect questions about blood pressure, heart history, substance use, psychosis, bipolar disorder, pregnancy and, for TMS, seizures and metal implants. Side effects and safety: Spravato, ketamine and TMS covers the known risks of each treatment.
- How do you measure whether treatment is working? Expect a named rating scale at set intervals.
- When do you stop a treatment that is not working? For treatments that do work, Maintenance for Spravato, ketamine and TMS shows the usual schedules.
Insurance and cost
- Do you check my benefits and submit prior authorization before the first session? How do I get Spravato approved by my insurance? shows what that request includes.
- What will I owe for the first month, in writing?
- For Spravato: do you bill G2082 or G2083? Do you help with the manufacturer copay program?
- For ketamine: what is the per-session price, the series price, the booster price, and the consultation fee? Do you provide superbills?
- For TMS: how many sessions is the plan approving, and what is my per-session cost after deductible?
What should you ask a clinic about scheduling and visits?
- What are your hours, and can I schedule evening or early sessions?
- How long is each visit, door to door? Driving and monitoring rules for Spravato and ketamine covers getting home afterward.
- Is the intake available by telehealth?
- What is the wait for a first appointment?
What are the red flags when choosing a clinic?
- Guarantees of results, or pressure to prepay a large package before an evaluation.
- No rating scales, no medical screening, or a single staff member handling everything.
- Reluctance to put prices in writing.
- Offering Spravato without REMS certification, or ketamine without a prescriber responsible for dosing.
Use the coverage checker before you call so you can ask about your plan's specific criteria.
Related
Checked by the Covered Mind editorial team · · Editorial policy
Cite this
Covered Mind. "Questions to ask a Spravato, ketamine or TMS clinic." https://www.coveredmind.com/guides/questions-to-ask-a-clinic. Last checked Sep 1, 2026.
This site provides general information about insurance coverage and treatment options. It is not medical advice, not a guarantee of coverage, and not a substitute for talking with a clinician or your health plan.