Inspire TMS Denver Clinic Results- Depression

February 21, 2024

What results are we achieving with TMS treatment for depression at Inspire TMS Denver?

 At Inspire TMS Denver, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond to ensure maximal patient outcomes and care. We are extremely focused on each patient and meeting their specific needs for treatment response. Dr. Clinch personalizes every treatment by individually selecting treatment location(s) and adapting treatment protocols to specifically target symptoms of concern. We believe our high treatment response rates reflect this level of specialized and individualized care. We achieve equivalent and often superior results to published registry data for patients receivingTMS treatment for clinical depression.

The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) Scale

We currently achieve an average improvement on the PHQ-9, treatment start to finish, of 65%.

Our average patient starting PHQ-9 score is 20 and our average end of treatment score is 7. A starting score of 20 indicates nearly all patients seeking treatment with us are experiencing severe depression. And a finishing score of 7 indicates only mild depressive symptoms remain for the majority of our patients at end of treatment. These are great results!

 At treatment end, 82% of our patients have responded to treatment (based on 50% improvement or better on the PHQ-9) and 46% of our patients are in remission (less than 5 on the PHQ-9).


These results are equivalent, if not slightly superior, to published registry data:
69% response and 36% remission,   by Neurostar. - 71% response and 44% remission,   by Brainsway.

76% of our patients have achieved a PHQ-9 score of less than 10, which indicates mild to no depressive symptoms.

Accelerated TMS is also successful and can provide faster results for relieving depressive symptoms!

Additionally, we have good experience and results providing an accelerated protocol that involves 50 sessions over the course of 5 days (10 treatments per day). This utilizes 1800 pulses of iTBS each session to treat depression in a shorter timeframe, which is particularly convenient for those without access to TMS near where they live or due to work conflict getting to treatment on a daily basis. A randomized controlled trial out of Stanford , utilizing a nearly identical approach, but with the use of fcMRI for targeting (we do not have this capability at our clinic), achieved an average 52% reduction in MADRS (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale) score 4 weeks out from treatment. Our clinic is achieving a similar rate of  54%  reduction in depression symptoms based on this same rating scale. We also are seeing equivalent response and remission rates with the accelerated protocol compared to more standard protocols that take 2 months to complete. 

Every Question Answered

Want to know more about TMS? Check out this in-depth guide to TMS therapy with transparent and easy to understand explanations about TMS processes, protocols, and treated conditions.

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By Sam Clinch December 13, 2025
Quick summary (the short answers) Medicare: Often covers TMS for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder when the plan’s clinical criteria (such as prior medication trials) are met and prior authorization is approved. Inspire routinely helps patients with Medicare benefits checks and authorizations. Medicaid: Coverage varies by state . Some state Medicaid plans cover TMS with strict medical necessity criteria; others do not. Inspire collects your insurance details and runs a state-specific benefits check. Pre-authorization: Nearly always required. Insurers want documented prior treatment attempts, objective symptom measures (PHQ-9), and a psychiatrist’s letter of medical necessity. Inspire will run the authorization for you once you approve.
By Sam Clinch December 12, 2025
What Inspire TMS Denver accepts and what that means In-network / insurer relationships: Inspire states it accepts major commercial insurers and works with patients to obtain coverage - including Medicare and Tricare, where criteria are met - and the clinic routinely runs benefits checks and prior authorizations on a patient’s behalf. That means you don’t need to guess whether a policy will pay - Inspire will verify for you. Common Medicare / commercial rules (examples): Different payers have specific clinical criteria. For example (from the clinic’s pricing documents): Anthem - typically requires failure of two different antidepressants from different classes (or intolerance). Medicare -may require failure of one previous antidepressant (or intolerance) Tricare - covers TMS when it is medically necessary and prior less-intensive interventions have failed or are inappropriate. These examples illustrate typical insurer frameworks, but your plan may differ. What’s often covered vs not covered: Commonly covered: FDA-cleared TMS for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder when prior treatment criteria are met and prior authorization is approved. Often not covered (or considered “off-label”): accelerated TMS protocols , certain indications (some anxiety/insomnia/experimental uses), and some PTSD/anxiety uses; these may require self-pay or sliding-scale payment. Inspire notes it offers sliding-scale/self-pay for off-label care and for financial hardship.
By Sam Clinch December 12, 2025
How TMS is different: a quick, plain-language explanation TMS uses a magnetic coil to stimulate specific areas of the brain associated with mood and emotional control. It’s non-invasive, does not require anesthesia, and is performed in an outpatient setting. Instead of changing chemistry like antidepressants or providing a rapid but medication-based reset like ketamine , TMS aims to retrain brain circuits by repeatedly activating under-performing regions so they function more normally over time. Inspire’s patient materials stress this neuroplastic, circuit-based approach and describe mapping, stimulation and physician oversight used to personalize treatment.
By Sam Clinch December 11, 2025
What is “treatment-resistant depression” (TRD)? Clinically, TRD is commonly defined as depression that has not sufficiently responded to an adequate trial of two different antidepressants (from at least two different classes) given at therapeutic doses and durations. Some insurers and clinical guidelines use this “two-trial” rule when deciding whether to cover advanced treatments like TMS. Medicare and commercial payers may have slightly different wording (for example, Medicare sometimes requires one failed antidepressant; Anthem often requires two). The key idea is consistent: TRD means standard medication strategies haven’t produced an acceptable response.
By Sam Clinch December 10, 2025
Your main options while you’re in Colorado Short/accelerated courses If you have very limited time, accelerated TMS (iTBS or compressed protocols) lets clinics deliver many sessions over a few days rather than weeks. Inspire offers accelerated regimens (MagVenture-capable) and lists accelerated TMS as an option for patients who need a fast course, but note: accelerated courses are often not covered by insurance and usually require self-pay or sliding-scale arrangements. Maintenance or “rescue” sessions Maintenance or “rescue” sessions If you’ve completed a full course and need occasional boosters to maintain gains while away, maintenance TMS (weekly, biweekly, or monthly sessions) is common. Clinics also provide rescue or extension courses when symptoms re-emerge. Maintenance often requires a clinician discussion to set frequency, and many insurers do not routinely cover maintenance so clinics may offer packages or discounted session bundles. Full course continuation If your original acute course was interrupted, many clinics will pick up or adjust your plan; this typically requires review of previous mapping and progress measures and coordination with your home TMS provider. Inspire performs mapping and tailors plans to each patient’s needs.
Soldiers in uniform seated in a circle; one person comforts another, all in a support group setting.
By Sam Clinch December 9, 2025
Short answer: Yes — Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used to treat PTSD symptoms, and many patients report improvements in intrusive memories (flashbacks), hypervigilance and reactivity. At Inspire TMS Denver we tailor TMS protocols to each person’s needs and monitor results closely, offering standard and advanced TMS options for trauma-related symptoms.
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By Sam Clinch December 9, 2025
Who is this page for? If you’re searching “ TMS therapy near me ” because medications or therapy haven’t worked, this guide walks you through what TMS is, the types of TMS offered at Inspire TMS Denver, who qualifies, what a typical course looks like, cost & insurance realities, and real patient experiences so you can decide whether to book a free consultation. Inspire is a doctor-led clinic that specializes in evidence-based TMS and personalized care.
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Recognizing the Signs of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed due to its fluctuating nature. Common signs include: Periods of extreme energy or euphoria (mania or hypomania) Sudden shifts to sadness, fatigue, or hopelessness (depression) Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little) Impulsive or risky behavior Feelings of irritability or agitation  While everyone experiences mood shifts occasionally, those with bipolar disorder often find these changes disruptive to work, relationships, and daily life.
By Leo Cook November 18, 2025
If you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone - and you’re likely asking: What actually works? That’s where TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) enters the conversation. Let’s break down how effective TMS really is - nationally and here at Inspire TMS Denver .
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