Spravato (esketamine) is not intended for everyone experiencing depression. It is a specialized treatment option for adults with treatment-resistant depression, particularly when standard antidepressant treatment has not provided adequate relief.
Understanding whether you may qualify starts with looking at your diagnosis, treatment history, current symptoms, and ability to complete treatment safely.
The Core Eligibility Criteria
A key part of Spravato eligibility is having a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) along with a history of inadequate response to at least two antidepressant treatments.
An evaluation looks at more than simply counting medications. Your provider may review which medications you tried, the doses, how long you took them, how consistently you took them, and what kind of response you experienced.
This detailed history helps determine whether previous treatments were adequate and whether your depression may meet criteria for treatment-resistant depression.
How Much Is Depression Affecting Your Life?
Your symptoms and their impact on daily functioning are also important considerations.
Depression can affect work, relationships, concentration, motivation, sleep, and your ability to manage everyday responsibilities. During an evaluation, your provider will consider how significantly your symptoms are affecting your quality of life and whether your current treatment is providing enough relief.
The goal is to understand your depression in context rather than making an eligibility decision based on a single symptom or questionnaire.
Insurance & Practical Considerations
Spravato treatment involves more than simply receiving a prescription.
Commercial insurance coverage may be available when applicable criteria are met, although prior authorization requirements vary by insurance plan. Your coverage and eligibility should be confirmed before treatment begins.
Spravato is administered in an in-office setting under clinical supervision, so you must be able to attend scheduled treatment sessions in Golden Valley, Minnesota and remain at the office for the required observation period after administration.
When Spravato May Not Be Appropriate
Not everyone who meets the basic depression criteria will be a candidate.
Your provider will review your medical and psychiatric history, current medications, and other relevant health factors to determine whether Spravato is appropriate and safe for you.
You may also need to consider whether you can reliably attend in-office sessions and complete the required monitoring after each treatment.
The evaluation is designed to look at the complete picture before treatment is recommended.
Wondering If You May Qualify?
If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants without adequate relief, you may want to learn whether Spravato could be an appropriate option for you.