What is the Cost of ketamine therapy
Ketamine has emerged as a revolutionary breakthrough in the treatment of depression, PTSD, and the panoply of behavioral health issues like addiction that result from under-treated mental illness. However, as with any new and innovative treatment, the cost of ketamine therapy raises important questions.
Let’s take a closer look at the cost of ketamine treatment for psychiatric conditions. To begin, it’s important to understand that ketamine is not currently FDA-approved for psychiatric use. This means that when it is used off-label, the cost can be significantly higher than when it is used as an anesthetic in a hospital setting. Read more about ketamine vs. esketamine (Spravato)
What is the cost of a single ketamine therapy session?
The cost of a single ketamine infusion for treatment-resistant depression can range anywhere from $350 to $500. The cost of a single ketamine assisted psychotherapy session is roughly the same as an IV ketamine infusion. This may seem steep, but it’s important to consider the potential benefits of ketamine treatment. Traditional antidepressants can take weeks or even months to take effect, and many patients do not respond to them at all. In contrast, ketamine has been shown to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects within hours of administration.
Putting the cost of ketamine treatment in context
The cost of ketamine treatment must be considered in the larger context of the overall cost of treating psychiatric conditions. The economic burden of mental illness in the United States is staggering, with estimates placing the cost at over $200 billion per year. When viewed in this light, the cost of a single ketamine infusion may seem like a small price to pay for the possibility of significant and lasting relief from debilitating psychiatric symptoms.
Read about How Ketamine Works to Treat Depression
It’s also worth noting that the cost of ketamine treatment may decrease as more research is conducted and the therapy becomes more widely available. The FDA has already granted “breakthrough therapy” designation to esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, which could expedite the approval process and make the therapy more widely available and affordable.
Our goal: Bring down the cost of ketamine therapy
At Calliope Health, we see the cost of ketamine treatment as a challenge that we are committed to addressing. Our priority is to make the cost of ketamine more affordable by offering group ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) programs, in the near future. In addition we are offering free psychedelic integrations groups to the community. Our caring and experienced clinicians hope to demonstrate that peer-to-peer community support for safe and legal psychedelic medicines should be accessible to all people who need them.
Although the cost of ketamine treatment may seem high at first glance, it’s important to consider the potential benefits and the larger context of the cost of treating psychiatric conditions. As more research is conducted, and as the therapy becomes more widely available, the cost of ketamine treatment may decrease making it accessible for more people who need it.
