3 Factors to Consider When Deciding In-Home vs In-Clinic Ketamine Therapy

Deciding In-Home vs In-Clinic Ketamine Therapy

Making an Important Decision

Ketamine therapy offers hope to patients with treatment-resistant depression. Many have experienced life-changing relief. However, not every patient is the same, and success may hinge on one critical decision: Should your patient receive treatment in a clinic or at home?

The right choice depends on three key factors:

Severity of Symptoms

A patient’s symptom severity is the first and most important check when determining whether clinic-based or at-home ketamine therapy is the right fit.

Those with acute suicidality, unstable psychiatric symptoms, or complex comorbidities often benefit from the structured monitoring of a ketamine clinic, where medical staff can intervene if dissociation or blood pressure fluctuations occur.

Stable patients with moderate treatment-resistant depression, a solid support system, and no active safety risks may benefit from at-home compounded ketamine, avoiding the burden of frequent clinic visits.

Severity of Symptoms

Patient Accessibility

IV ketamine infusions and commercial products like Spravato require clinical visits and supervision for every administration of the drug.

Clinical visits have positive features, but logistically, they may not work for every patient.

Travel Time

Travel distance and time commitments can make regular visits impractical, especially for those in rural areas or with mobility challenges.

Patients with demanding work schedules, long travel distances, or just little free time may struggle to adhere to the in-person therapy sessions vs in-home applications.

Transportation Limitations

Patients cannot drive themselves to their ketamine infusion appointments since they experience impaired judgment and slower reaction times post-administration.

Additionally, patients are recommended to be driven by a trusted and known person. Ride-sharing services and public transportation are often ruled out due to exposure to strangers and an environment of uncertainty during a sensitive period post-ketamine administration.

Patient Accessibility

Insurance Coverage

The patient’s insurance coverage can influence the cost and affordability of each therapy option.

In addition to the actual cost of the medication, it is worthwhile to consider the money spent driving to and from the clinic, including time taken off from work, etc.

Covered Options

Many patients find that insurance companies are covering or partially covering costs for their ketamine therapy. This includes the FDA-approved nasal spray Spravato and even IV infusions from reputable ketamine clinics.

Patients can experience a significant reduction in out-of-pocket costs in this manner.

Not Covered By Insurance

Compounded ketamine nasal sprays are the only option that allows the patient to administer the medication at home. The vast majority of the time, this option is not covered by insurance.

However, the affordability of compounded nasal sprays can still make the price comparable or better when compared to options covered by insurance. It is essential to compare the costs when making this decision.

More Questions? Let's Get In Touch

Choosing between in-home and in-clinic ketamine therapy is about finding the right option for your patient’s unique needs. Symptom severity, lifestyle logistics, and affordability all play pivotal roles in determining whether clinic supervision or at-home flexibility will lead to better adherence and outcomes.

For high-risk patients, the structure of a clinic may be non-negotiable. For others, compounded ketamine could be the key to consistent, accessible relief.

By weighing these factors carefully, you can empower your patients to pursue ketamine therapy with confidence and finally achieve the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for.

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