Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Breaks New Ground in Time for the New Year

Dec. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Dr. Edward Fruitman, Director of South Shore Neuropsychiatric Center located in Hewlett, New York, and renowned veteran in his field, was one of the first to bring the healing power Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Long Island.  As a dedicated proponent of the cutting-edge therapy used to help patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, Dr. Fruitman is eager and excited to spread the word of its growing respect amongst the medical community.  He and his team are pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2011, TMS Therapy will be granted permanent CPT codes by the American Medical Association, thereby increasing the likelihood of its being written into most insurance policies in the near future.

The Neurostar® TMS system, which the FDA officially approved in October 2008 despite its being researched since the 1980s, uses highly focused, MRI strength magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in the left prefrontal cortex.  This in turn triggers the neurotransmitters in the targeted region, which activate the release of serotonin.  TMS is typically administered five times a week over the course of four to six weeks for optimal probability and longevity of remission.

The device is especially designed for clinical use on an outpatient basis.  Patients can return to normal activity immediately after each treatment because unlike its predecessor, electro convulsive therapy or ECT, TMS is completely non-invasive and no sedation is required, nor do patients experience the cognitive side effects or memory loss experienced post-ECT.  Similarly, TMS offers an alternative solution to the adverse side effects caused by most traditional anti-depressants including weight gain, dry mouth, upset stomach, or even sexual dysfunction.

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set is maintained by the American Medical Association through the CPT Editorial Panel. The CPT code set accurately describes medical, surgical, and diagnostic services and is designed to communicate uniform information about medical services and procedures among physicians, coders, patients, accreditation organizations, and payers for administrative, financial, and analytical purposes.

The new CPT codes are not only indicative of TMS’s increasing acknowledgement by the medical community for its continued success, but are also the result of the tireless efforts of pioneers, like Dr. Fruitman, who have been advocating the therapy’s power to patients and providers.  Now, practices that offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, like South Shore Neuropsychiatric Center, can be hopeful that they may soon touch the lives of a growing number of patients formerly restricted by insurance formalities.

Dr. Fruitman is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and a nationally recognized expert in the field of psychopharmacology.  Dr. Fruitman specializes in the treatment of Anxiety and Depression at South Shore Neuropsychiatric Center, where he is the first to introduce Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to the Five Towns area of Long Island.