Coverage
What TMS costs in New Hampshire and how insurers approve it
Nearly every major New Hampshire plan covers TMS for depression. The hold-up is almost never coverage — it is documentation.
New Hampshire's major insurers cover TMS for major depressive disorder after documented failure of prior treatment. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (Point32Health), Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare typically require trials of two to four antidepressants and, in many plans, a course of psychotherapy. New Hampshire Medicaid covers TMS through its managed care organizations — NH Healthy Families, AmeriHealth Caritas and Well Sense Health Plan — with prior authorization. Medicare covers TMS statewide under the National Government Services local coverage determination. Confirm benefits with the clinic before beginning treatment; requirements vary by plan.
Plan by plan
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield New Hampshire
Covers TMS for major depressive disorder with prior authorization and documented medication trials.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Covers TMS for treatment-resistant depression; prior authorization required.
Cigna
Covers TMS with prior authorization and a re-authorization partway through the course.
Aetna
Covers standard rTMS and, on many plans, Deep TMS, with medication-trial documentation.
UnitedHealthcare
Covers TMS under the behavioral health benefit, usually authorized through Optum.
NH Medicaid (Medicaid Care Management)
Coverage varies by managed-care plan; fewer clinics accept it, so ask before booking.
Medicare (including Advantage plans)
Covers TMS for major depressive disorder; Advantage plans add prior authorization.
TRICARE East
Covers TMS for eligible service members and families with referral and authorization.
Criteria change. Treat this as a starting point and confirm with your plan and clinic.
Self-pay price ranges
- Single session, self-pay
- $200 – $400
- Full 36-session course, self-pay
- $8,000 – $13,000
- Typical insured out-of-pocket
- Deductible + per-visit copay
- Initial mapping / brain mapping visit
- $300 – $500
Many New Hampshire clinics offer payment plans or a discounted bundled rate for a full course — ask when you call.
Getting approved faster
- Bring a list of every antidepressant you have tried, with doses and how long you took them.
- Ask your prescriber to note the reason each medication was stopped — side effects count.
- Have a recent PHQ-9 or similar score on file; most insurers want a current measure.
- Let the clinic submit the authorization — their staff do this daily and know the templates.
- If you are denied, appeal. Denials for incomplete documentation are routinely overturned.
Looking for a clinic that takes your plan? Filter the directory by insurance.