Fort Collins Mental Health Clinic Now Accepting Medicaid for Treatment-Resistant Depression Therapy

The Wholeness Center in Fort Collins is accepting Colorado Medicaid for SPRAVATO treatment, expanding access to an FDA-approved therapy for residents with treatment-resistant depression who have exhausted standard antidepressant options.

The clinic announced November 20 it now provides in-network coverage through Health First Colorado for SPRAVATO, an esketamine nasal spray approved for adults who have tried at least two antidepressants without improvement. The facility expects to join additional major insurance networks in coming months and has opened a priority list for patients seeking treatment.

Treatment-resistant depression affects people who continue experiencing symptoms despite adequate trials of multiple antidepressants. SPRAVATO works differently than conventional antidepressants by targeting the brain's glutamate system rather than serotonin pathways.

FDA-Approved Treatment With Clinical Data

The FDA approved SPRAVATO on March 5, 2019, for treatment-resistant depression and later expanded approval to include adults with major depressive disorder experiencing acute suicidal ideation or behavior, according to regulatory data from Johnson & Johnson. The agency granted the medication Priority Review based on clinical evidence showing rapid symptom reduction.

Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated significant depression symptom reductions within 24 hours of the first dose for some patients, according to FDA approval documentation. In trials for the acute suicidal ideation indication, SPRAVATO combined with comprehensive standard care produced a 15.9 and 16.0 point decrease on depression rating scales at 24 hours.

Clinical data showed 69.3 percent of patients receiving SPRAVATO with an oral antidepressant responded with at least 50 percent reduction in depression scores, compared to 52 percent for placebo groups. Remission rates reached 52.5 percent for SPRAVATO versus 31 percent for placebo, according to trial results.

Supervised Administration Requirements

SPRAVATO is only administered in clinics certified under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program mandated by the FDA to manage potential risks. The medication carries a Schedule III controlled substance classification.

Healthcare providers must complete annual certification to prescribe SPRAVATO. Patients receive the nasal spray in certified facilities and remain under medical supervision for at least two hours after each dose to monitor for adverse reactions including sedation, dissociation, and blood pressure changes, according to federal REMS program requirements.

Treatment sessions typically follow a structured schedule with twice-weekly administration during the initial four-week intensive phase. The supervised setting requirement distinguishes SPRAVATO from off-label ketamine infusion therapy, which operates outside specific FDA regulatory oversight for depression treatment.

Access Barriers in Northern Colorado

The Medicaid coverage decision removes a significant financial barrier for low-income Northern Colorado residents with treatment-resistant depression. Prior to in-network status, patients without private insurance or Medicaid coverage faced out-of-pocket costs for accessing SPRAVATO at certified facilities.

Mental health services funded through Larimer County's behavioral health sales tax support various community programs, including equine therapy and crisis intervention, demonstrating ongoing regional investment in mental health resources.

Colorado Medicaid covers individual and group psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and substance use disorder treatment for eligible residents. Adults ages 19 through 64 qualify with income at or below 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, according to state eligibility guidelines.

Crisis services remain available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for Northern Colorado residents experiencing behavioral health emergencies requiring immediate intervention.

The Wholeness Center combines conventional psychiatric care with integrative therapies including neurofeedback, ketamine-assisted therapy, and psilocybin-assisted therapy. The clinic's care team includes psychiatrists, integrative physicians, and therapists who develop personalized treatment plans incorporating biomedical assessments and brain-mapping technology.

Residents interested in SPRAVATO treatment can contact The Wholeness Center at 720-984-3704 or visit wholeness.com for eligibility information and to join the priority list.