Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) 011-22011453

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a treatment option for patients when medication-based approaches to treating depression are not working.

rTMS therapy involves using magnetic pulses to target specific areas of the brain. These services are available to eligible adult patients (18 years old or older), who:

• have not previously received a rTMS service in the public or private setting, and
• have trialled at least 2 different classes of antidepressant medicines but have not responded to this course of treatment

While it is expected that the majority of rTMS services will be provided as out-of-hospital treatment, there will be circumstances where some patients may require hospital treatment.

Miscellaneous Therapeutic Procedures – Subgroup 13 (item 14216)

Before starting Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), treatment mapping is undertaken for each patient’s individual circumstances.

For a patient to access treatment services, they must have previously received a service under treatment mapping item 14216.

Miscellaneous Therapeutic Procedures – Subgroup 13 (item 14217)

Once a patient has received treatment mapping under item 14216, they are eligible for treatment services under item 14217.

A patient is eligible for up to 35 treatment services in a lifetime.

Miscellaneous Therapeutic Procedures – Subgroup 13 (item 14219)

After completing an initial treatment service under item 14217, if the patient has relapsed and has had a satisfactory clinical response to the initial treatment service, the patient can have another treatment mapping service under item 14219 to allow for additional treatment services. An interval of 4 months must have elapsed since the initial treatment service in order to receive this service.

Miscellaneous Therapeutic Procedures – Subgroup 13 (item 14220)

Once a patient has received a service under 14217 (not provided in the previous 4 months) and treatment mapping review under item 14219, they are eligible for treatment services under item 14220.

A patient is eligible for up to 15 additional treatment services in a lifetime.