TRICARE West Expands NeuroStar® TMS Coverage to Include Adolescents Aged 15+ Struggling with Depression
MWN-AI** Summary
Neuronetics, Inc. announced a significant expansion of NeuroStar® TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) coverage for adolescents aged 15 and older, following TRICARE West's updated medical policy. Effective immediately, this coverage is aimed at military families across 24 states, including California, Texas, and Washington. The decision reflects the growing recognition of the mental health challenges faced by the children of active-duty and retired military personnel, particularly concerning depression.
Keith J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Neuronetics, expressed appreciation for TRICARE's commitment to innovative and evidence-based care. The new policy comes at a crucial time when approximately 4.3 million adolescents aged 15-21 in the U.S. are affected by major depression, disrupting their academic performance, relationships, and overall emotional well-being. With limited medication options available for this demographic, NeuroStar TMS offers a non-drug and noninvasive treatment alternative, suitable even as a first-line option without prior medication failures.
Dr. Geoffrey Grammer, Chief Medical Officer of Neuronetics, emphasized that the unique stressors of military life can heighten vulnerability to mental illness among service members' children, making this coverage expansion vital for their wellbeing.
Since obtaining FDA clearance for adolescent treatments in 2024, NeuroStar TMS therapy is now also covered by multiple leading insurers, including Humana and Aetna. Neuronetics is the only TMS provider with a dedicated health policy team advocating for further access, ensuring that young individuals struggling with depression receive essential support.
Neuronetics continues to reinforce its role as a leader in neurohealth solutions, aligning with the urgent needs of adolescents in the military community and broadening access to effective mental health treatments.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The expansion of TRICARE’s coverage for NeuroStar® TMS therapy to adolescents aged 15 and older presents a significant opportunity for Neuronetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STIM) and the healthcare market. With approximately 4.3 million U.S. adolescents affected by major depression, access to effective treatment options is more critical than ever. Neuronetics’ NeuroStar TMS therapy stands out as a non-invasive, medication-free alternative, directly addressing gaps in treatment options available for this demographic.
From an investment perspective, this policy change could drive increased demand for NeuroStar therapy, positively impacting Neuronetics' revenue streams. As military families often struggle with unique stressors, the expanded access to TMS may not only fulfill a pressing healthcare need but also enhance the company's brand reputation as a leader in neurohealth solutions. The company's proactive approach in collaborating with insurers and health policy makers further solidifies its market position, making it an appealing prospect for investors.
Moreover, the FDA's clearance of NeuroStar TMS for adolescent patients in 2024, coupled with growing insurance support from notable payers like Cigna and Aetna, fuels optimism around future revenue growth. Neuronetics’ market differentiation through its dedicated health policy team enhances its ability to adapt to changing regulatory environments, potentially leading to further coverage expansions.
Investors should monitor Neuronetics closely, particularly given the favorable clinical outcomes associated with NeuroStar treatment. Increased market penetration in the adolescent segment could yield substantial long-term growth. However, as with any medical technology firm, potential competition, regulatory changes, and the psychological/healthcare ecosystem's response should be diligently factored into investment strategies. Overall, the favorable policy change aligns with broader trends in mental health treatment, suggesting strategic opportunities for investors in Neuronetics.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuronetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: STIM), a medical technology company focused on designing, developing, and marketing products that improve the quality of life for patients who suffer from neurohealth disorders and the maker of NeuroStar ® Advanced Therapy, announced that TriWest, the regional administrator for TRICARE, has updated its medical policy to include TMS coverage for adolescents aged 15 and older.
TRICARE coverage is primarily used by active and retired military service members and their eligible family members. This policy update, effective immediately, applies to TRICARE beneficiaries in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
“TRICARE’s decision to expand coverage for TMS to adolescents is a significant step forward in ensuring that younger patients struggling with depression now have access to this life-changing treatment,” said Keith J. Sullivan, President and CEO of Neuronetics, Inc. “We applaud TRICARE and TriWest for recognizing the importance of providing innovative, evidence-based care to those who need it most, and we remain committed to working with providers and policymakers to expand adolescent access to TMS nationwide.”
"The demands of military life can create unique stressors for the children of service members, increasing their vulnerability to depression and other mental health challenges,” said Geoffrey Grammer, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Neuronetics and retired U.S. Army Colonel. “By expanding coverage to include NeuroStar TMS, TriWest is taking a meaningful step toward ensuring that the sons and daughters of our active-duty and retired military heroes receive the care and support that honors their families’ service to our nation."
An estimated 4.3 million U.S. adolescents aged 15-21 are affected by major depression. 1 Depression amongst adolescents can disrupt crucial aspects of development, such as academic performance, relationships with peers and family members, and overall emotional well-being. With limited approved medication options for adolescents with MDD, NeuroStar is a safe and effective option that can be used as a first-line, add-on treatment with remarkable clinical outcomes. As a first-line treatment, NeuroStar can be used without prior medication failures in this age group. Since receiving FDA clearance for adolescent patients in 2024, NeuroStar TMS therapy is also now covered by several leading insurers, including but not limited to: Evernorth Health Services (a Cigna company), BlueCross BlueShield Health Care Service Corporation (BCBS-HCSC), Humana, Aetna, Medi-Cal, Pacific Source, and more.
In addition to being the first TMS company with FDA clearance for adolescent treatment, Neuronetics is the only TMS company in the industry with a dedicated health policy team that partners with both providers and payors to advocate for health policy updates.
For more information about NeuroStar TMS Therapy, please visit NeuroStar.com .
About Neuronetics
Neuronetics, Inc. believes that mental health is as important as physical health. As a global leader in neuroscience, Neuronetics is delivering more treatment options to patients and physicians by offering exceptional in-office treatments that produce extraordinary results. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is a non-drug, noninvasive treatment that can improve the quality of life for people suffering from neurohealth conditions when traditional medication has not helped. In addition to selling the NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System and associated treatment sessions to customers, Neuronetics operates Greenbrook TMS Inc. (Greenbrook) treatment centers across the United States, offering NeuroStar Advanced Therapy for the treatment of MDD and other mental health disorders. NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is the leading TMS treatment for MDD in adults, with more than 7.9 million treatments delivered, and is backed by the largest clinical data set of any TMS treatment system for depression, including the world’s largest depression outcomes registry. Greenbrook treatment centers also offer SPRAVATO ® (esketamine) Nasal Spray, a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults as monotherapy or in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. It is also indicated for depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior in conjunction with an oral antidepressant. 2 Greenbrook has provided more than 2 million treatments to over 60,000 patients struggling with depression.
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults with MDD, as an adjunct for adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder, to decrease anxiety symptoms in adult patients with MDD that may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms (anxious depression), and as a first line adjunct for the treatment of MDD in adolescent patients aged 15-21. For safety information and indications for use, visit NeuroStar.com .
Neuronetics Contact:
Investors:
Mike Vallie or Mark Klausner
ICR Healthcare
443-213-0499
ir@neuronetics.com
Media:
EvolveMKD
646.517.4220
NeuroStar@evolvemkd.com
References
1 World Health Organization, Depression Fact Sheet. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression .
2 The effectiveness of SPRAVATO ® in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal ideation or behavior has not been demonstrated. Use of SPRAVATO ® does not preclude the need for hospitalization if clinically warranted, even if patients experience improvement after an initial dose of SPRAVATO ® . For more important safety information about SPRAVATO ® , please visit spravatohcp.com.
FAQ**
How might the recent TRICARE coverage update for adolescents impact the revenue growth potential for Neuronetics Inc. STIM in the military healthcare sector?
What strategies does Neuronetics Inc. STIM have in place to encourage broader adoption of NeuroStar TMS therapy among providers and payors following the FDA clearance for adolescent treatment?
Given the growing prevalence of major depression among adolescents, how does Neuronetics Inc. STIM plan to expand its market presence and treatment accessibility across different states?
How does Neuronetics Inc. STIM differentiate its NeuroStar TMS therapy from competitors in terms of clinical outcomes and insurance coverage for adolescent patients?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Neuronetics Inc. (NASDAQ: STIM).
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