Evernorth Health Services Expands NeuroStar TMS Coverage for Adolescents Struggling with Major Depression
Evernorth Health Services, a subsidiary of Cigna, has announced an important expansion in its healthcare coverage, particularly aimed at adolescents aged 15 and older who live with major depressive disorder (MDD). The inclusion of NeuroStar Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the coverage options reflects a commitment to improving access to innovative, non-pharmacological treatment alternatives for younger patients.
NeuroStar, developed by Neuronetics—a company specializing in neurohealth therapies—utilizes magnetic stimulation to target areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. The coverage expansion is effective immediately, nearly one year after NeuroStar received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an add-on treatment option for adolescents aged 15-21 with MDD.
The implications of this decision are significant, as the World Health Organization reports that around 4.3 million adolescents in the United States are affected by major depressive disorder. Depression during these formative years can severely impede educational performance, strain family dynamics, and disrupt peer relationships. The current landscape of treatment options for adolescent depression remains limited, making the introduction of NeuroStar a promising addition to available therapies.
Neuronetics emphasizes the safety and efficacy of NeuroStar as a viable first-line treatment, especially in light of the challenges posed by traditional medications. The company has established a dedicated health policy team that collaborates with healthcare providers and payers to promote policy modifications and enhance treatment availability.
Keith J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Neuronetics, remarked on the significance of Cigna/Evernorth’s decision, viewing it as a pivotal advancement in adolescent mental healthcare. Sullivan stated, “This decision reflects the momentum we have built with payers over the past year since NeuroStar first received the FDA clearance for adolescents.”
The urgency of addressing adolescent mental health issues has escalated, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated mental health crises across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a notable increase in emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts among adolescents, with a 31% rise in mental health-related visits in 2020 compared to the previous year.
The economic impact of untreated mental health conditions is also becoming more pronounced. A 2024 analysis by Deloitte predicts that mental health inequities could lead to approximately 8 billion in avoidable costs, escalating to .3 trillion by 2040 if left unaddressed. This burden is not only financial but also manifests in lost productivity—projected to cost about 6 billion in avoidable expenses in 2024.
As mental health issues continue to place a strain on healthcare systems, particularly Medicaid—which faces higher behavioral health service costs than other payers—innovative solutions like NeuroStar are critical. Dr. Geoffrey Grammer, Chief Medical Officer of Neuronetics, asserted, “NeuroStar stands as the leading TMS device, backed by the most comprehensive data that clearly demonstrates its effectiveness in treating adolescent major depressive disorder.”
As awareness of mental health challenges among adolescents rises, initiatives like those by Evernorth and Neuronetics exemplify the ongoing efforts toward integrating effective treatments into healthcare offerings, paving the way for better mental health outcomes in the youth population.
For further inquiries, please contact Jeff Lagasse, editor of Healthcare Finance News, at jlagasse@himss.org.
