Specialist mental health treatment for Veterans

To apply for VAC coverage for Spravato, you must be taking an antidepressant. The application should document multiple adequate antidepressant trials that did not provide sufficient improvement and other treatment strategies, such as antipsychotic augmentation, when clinically appropriate. NeuroLinks can review your history and prepare the supporting information for Medavie Blue Cross. Written preauthorization is required before treatment begins.

Yes. After the psychiatric assessment, we can prepare the proposed treatment plan, clinical rationale, treatment schedule and estimated cost required for review. We can also respond if further information is requested. The authorization decision rests with VAC and Medavie Blue Cross rather than the clinic.

A physician or nurse practitioner referral is required for an MSP-covered psychiatric assessment. You are welcome to contact the clinic first. We can explain what is needed and, with your consent, correspond with your care provider or case manager. Clinicians can refer through our physician referral page or by fax.

When clinically appropriate, we often recommend considering TMS first because it is non-invasive and generally has fewer treatment-day side effects. It does not normally cause medication-related sedation or dissociation, and most people can return to their usual activities afterward. If TMS does not provide enough improvement, documenting the treatment may also strengthen the clinical rationale for a later Spravato application, although the decision remains with VAC and Medavie Blue Cross.

It depends on the treatment. A standard TMS course is generally delivered five days a week over several weeks, and an accelerated course given over five days may be considered for selected patients. Ketamine is typically given twice a week during the initial phase. We confirm the schedule before treatment begins so travel can be planned.

Yes. With your consent, a VAC case manager, therapist or physician can contact the clinic to discuss the referral, the treatment being proposed and the documentation required for review. With your written consent, we can also share assessment findings and progress updates. You decide who we communicate with.