TMS and Mert for Vets

TMS and Mert for Vets A Place for Veterans to help change the VA SOP for TMS & MeRT

07/03/2025

I had to play the game to get a referral for TMS (although MeRT was the goal.) I finished the 6 weeks of TMS treatment and discovered I no longer have the PTSD symptoms that I had previously experienced. The VA will only pay for TMS if you are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and 3 anti-depressant drugs that don’t work. As it turns out the family of all the drugs I was supposed to take have homicidal and suicidal side effects. Good thing I didn’t kill myself and nice that I felt I was not depressed since my TBI. This NEEDS to be changed. As an aside, MeRT and TMS have the same billing code. How can we get the VA to change?

03/16/2025

After playing the game with the VA, I was able to get a referral for TMS by the VA. However, it is only for TMS and not MeRT, which shows their lack of understanding of these treatments. I actually need and want MeRT, but will take the TMS. I start in two days!

07/10/2024

The Southern Colorado TMS clinic (SoCoTMS) is finding ways to get me treated through TriCare since the VA is unaware of the benefits of TMS/MeRT for me or other vets. The VA has a Genetic Medication test called PHASAR that will show what medication that your body can not tolerate. I just got mine and have to wait a month for the results to come back. Hoping that’ll show I can not take the three anti-depressants that need to fail before I can get MeRT treatment.

05/07/2024

Southern Colorado TMS is trying to get TriCare to pay for TMS/MeRT for me. Today I had an EEG and will meet with the two doctors in 2 days for the results. This is a one shot try for me and if we are successful, the move is to get the VA to pay for all TBI vets. One step at a time, but things are moving forward.

05/01/2024

Had a phone call today with a nurse from SoCoTMS and was told a doctor from that office will be meeting with the TBI office at the VA in Denver. I believe that he will educate them in how beneficial TMS is to TBI patients. I will make sure to find out the what the results will be report them. Let’s hope the VA will allow it for us!

04/26/2024

I called my patient advocate at the VA and got lots of tips about moving my clinical appeal, which was denied twice, to the veteran's board of appeals to protest a benefit that is being denied to me (and other vets.) I will receive a link from him to start the next step in this process. At least this denial letter isn't the end.

04/19/2024

As expected, my appeal for TMS/MeRT was denied with the additional comment that this is my last appeal. What to do now? Showing the lack of education the VA has about MeRT and TMS, the letter stated that there is no evidence that those help RBI patients. What to do now? BTW the email I have for this page doesn't work yet, so please post your ideas here. Thanks, I'm taking a moment to go scream...

04/17/2024

I am sharing my status of how the VA is processing my request for TMS/MeRT so that if, better yet when, I get it paid for by them, I can help other veterans get it also.

04/16/2024

I can't believe the VA actually has blown the date that I was given for them to pay for TMS/MeRT for me. The letter signed by the interim director said that I a decision would be made by 5 April 24. I sent a note to the patient advocate one week later asking what the status was and he responded to me that they still have not made a decision. I just sent back a note asking what was the point of signing a letter and promising a date that they have now blown. This is just another example of the VA not following their own rules. I am absolutely furious.

03/26/2024

In contact with Kelly Jensen from CA who found this page and has a page with many very interesting articles about MeRT and TMS for Veterans, which is what this page is hoping to get, especially for vets who are not facing depression with 3 tries of medication that doesn't work. (Isn't that silly?) That FB page is: "MeRT and TMS Treatment for Vets and Military Families". I hope to be able to work with her to get this solved.

03/13/2024

I called John Lenz at Operation TBI Freedom at Mt. Carmel Veteran's Center in Colo. Springs and got some great suggestions for possibly getting a referral to SoCoTMS center. I did not know that the Family Care Center for vets has TMS, but I am guessing that I am not eligible there since I don't have depression and I probably have to fit in that little box, which I am fighting. He also said that tons of people at the VA don't know that I can get a referral from my PCM to the VA Poly Trauma System of Care for the TBI. Also, I will check the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and fill out an application if that fits for me, but I wanted to put it out there if other TBI vets would like to check into these things.

02/26/2024

Instead of waiting fo my appeal results in April, I will go to Mt. Carmel veteran service center and get in touch with the TBI unit there. I drove by today and saw that building. Hopefully they will help to get the VA to pay for this treatment for more vets. More info later!

Address

Colorado Springs, CO
80919

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when TMS and Mert for Vets posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category