Frequently Asked Questions

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We offer intramuscular ketamine and intranasal esketamine (Spravato) treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression. We work with your current mental health care team or can make recommendations to establish care with other prescribers and providers for general medication management and other mental health services.

Yes, we do. We currently take patients who are covered by BCBS MA, Tufts Health Plan commercial plans, Medicare + Medicare supplements, United Health Care (Optum),  and Mass General Brigham Health Plan (Optum). We are adding others insurances on a regular basis, so please check back regularly. 

Ketamine and intranasal esketamine (Spravato) are promising new treatments for patients who have failed to improve on multiple antidepressants. These medications work quickly: most patients experience improvement within hours or days rather than weeks or months. Additionally, Spravato has been shown to decrease suicide risk in patients with treatment-resistant depression. 

Ketamine and Spravato are similar medications derived from the same molecule. The major difference is that ketamine is given either through an intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection, whereas Spravato is administered via an intranasal spray. 

The other important difference is that Spravato is covered by many insurance plans, but intramuscular ketamine injections are generally not (though this may change).  For Spravato, we currently accept BCBS MA, Tufts Health Plan commercial plans, Medicare + Medicare supplements, United Health Care (Optum),  and Mass General Brigham Health Plan (Optum). For intramuscular ketamine injections, each sessions costs $490. 

Luckily, ketamine has been around for decades as a medication and has been shown to be well-tolerated. Ketamine causes mild-moderate dissociation at the doses we use. Adverse effects are uncommon though can include mild headache (usually easily managed by ibuprofen) and mild-moderate nausea (usually easily managed by Zofran). Ketamine causes a transient increase in blood pressure during the treatment visit, which is usually tolerated without issue, though requires monitoring. This is why it is critical to have mental health professionals administer these medications in a safe and comfortable setting. 

That's great. We will work collaboratively with your current treatment team. You will continue to see your prescriber as you undergo ketamine treatments with us. After your episode of care is complete with us, you will continue care with your prescriber and/or therapist. 

First, you will see one of our mental health professionals for a consultation to determine your candidacy for treatment. If appropriate, we will proceed with treatment, each visit 2-2.5 hours long. 

For Spravato, treatments occur twice weekly for four weeks; once weekly for four weeks; then once every two weeks in the maintenance phase. 

For intramuscular ketamine injections, treatments occur twice weekly for four weeks, sometimes followed by a period of treatments at decreasing frequency in a taper phase, depending on progress. 

Over 70% of our treatment-resistant depression patients have experienced a significant response to Spravato or intramuscular ketamine injections. On average, that response is measured as about a 70% improvement on standard rating scales.

When it comes to your well-being, you want a clinic that values quality over quantity. Our clinic prides itself on thoughtful consultation and treatment management. Ketamine can be a powerful tool, but it is not a panacea. 

If ketamine or Spravato is not right for you to try, we will tell you. If it doesn't look like it's working, we will tell you. Many clinics that offer ketamine are run by providers who lack mental health training, let alone specific expertise in ketamine and Spravato, a deeply troubling trend that puts patients at risk. 

Measured Wellness only employs high quality mental health professionals, who have trained and worked at Harvard-affiliated institutions, such as Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital. Dr. Boyle has overseen thousands of ketamine and Spravato treatments and manages every treatment course at Measured Wellness. He employs years of experience, not just in this practice, but as a staff psychiatrist on the ketamine service at the nation's top psychiatric hospital. 

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