Reconsideration of the lifetime limit of 50 rebated TMS sessions

ObjectiveTo make a case for the Medicare benefits schedule (MBS) rule, that depressed patients who benefit from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have a lifetime limit of 50 treatments, to be reconsidered.ConclusionEvidence proves TMS can produce remission in major depressive disorder/treatment resistant disorder (MDD/TRD) when medication has failed. This is a relapsing disorder, and further treatments are usually required (but are prevented by this limit). We suggest the limit be raised to 70 treatments (2 courses, or similar) per year.