PRESS RELEASE: Medicare funded, novel, drugfree and non-invasive treatment for depression.

Medicare-funded, novel, drug-free and non-invasive treatment for depression.
The Modalis-TMS West welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement to subsidise Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment under Medicare.
TMS provided by MODALIS-TMSWEST is an effective and better alternative to the traditional drug therapy for various mental health conditions especially, depression. There is emerging evidence about use of TMS in other mental health conditions like OCD and physical conditions pain, however, those indications are not yet Medicare funded.
Modalis is doing TMS for over a few years now and has partnered with TMS West to provide service across Perth metro. Before inclusion in Medicare-subsidised mental health services list this treatment was completely out of pocket and therefore inaccessible to many. Post Federal government announcement and the subsequent rebate has made this treatment affordable which is reflected in increased number of referrals since inclusion in Medicare. This is helping people struggling with poor quality of life due to depression and to reduce the rate of hospitalization as well as to access a rapid mood stabilising option without jeopardising day to day activities.
Since the onset of COVID-19, the need for mental health services has increased dramatically. Therefore, the federal government has announced more funding to support the increased demand. As part of this support, Federal government has announced rebates on TMS treatment and now depression-related treatment is already funded under Medicare. Having been listed under Medicare, total out of pocket cost to these patients is minimal. However, there were several criteria including involvement in research, experience and Modalis qualified for all of those, leading to an uninterrupted patient care.
Modalis-TMS West already has an established TMS treatment clinic in the South Corridor-Como, Cockburn, Rockingham and Mandurah. TMS West’s Cockburn and Rockingham centres precede the Medicare announcement and both centres were working assertively with the ADF and DVA.
TMS works by stimulating nerve cells of the brain region that requires treatment. It does so by providing the necessary energy to the brain cells through electromagnetic waves delivered by state-of-the-art Neurosoft TMS machine. An MRI film is taken pre-treatment to navigate the correct brain area which increases the efficacy. Because it doesn’t involve treatment with medications, side effects related to drug therapy can be avoided. Although to be effective and to receive major benefits of TMS, multiple brief 20-30 minutes sessions may be required but no aftercare is required as patients can continue with their routine like job, academic or another day to day activities including driving afterwards.
Modalis-TMS WEST collaboration is the largest provider of TMS service in the Metropolitan Perth region with a planned expansion to the Eastern states. This service is provided across eight sites in the Metropolitan region. The team is already in the process of liaising with the major health funds to provide further rebates to make this treatment more accessible to everyone.
Spokespersons:
Dr Taj Singh (Director TMS West) and Dr Kyle Hoath (Director, Modalis).
Email: [email protected], Phone Number: 08 6118 1670
Websites: http://Www.tmswest.com.au www.modalis.com