TMS for depression in adults, planned from your own brain map
If antidepressants haven’t helped enough, or the side effects were too much, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared option that works directly on the brain networks involved in depression. At Reign-Bow, every course of TMS starts with a qEEG brain map, and we check your insurance before anything is scheduled.
On the call we check your insurance benefits, answer your questions and book your consultation and brain map.
Prefer to write? Request a consultation or verify your insurance.
Is TMS a good option for depression in adults?
TMS is FDA-cleared for major depression in adults and is often covered by insurance once antidepressants haven’t helped enough. It’s non-invasive, needs no sedation and takes under an hour a session. Reign-Bow Brain Treatment Center in Lombard, Illinois plans each course of TMS from a qEEG brain map and checks your insurance before treatment.
Who TMS for depression is for
- Adults with major depression who have tried one or more antidepressants without enough relief
- People who couldn’t tolerate medication side effects such as weight gain, fatigue or sexual side effects
- People who want a non-drug option to add to therapy or their current medication
- People who don’t want sedation or anesthesia, and need to keep working and driving during treatment
- New mothers with depression during pregnancy or after birth: TMS for postpartum depression
TMS isn’t right for everyone. People with metal or implanted devices in or near the head, or with a history of seizures, may not be able to have it. We go through this with you at the consultation.
How TMS works
A magnetic coil rests against your scalp and sends focused pulses into the part of the brain that helps regulate mood, the left prefrontal cortex. In depression this area is often underactive. Repeated sessions help strengthen the brain networks involved.
You’re awake the whole time. There is no surgery, no anesthesia and no medication. More about TMS.
What to expect, step by step
Call and verify insurance
Call 630-448-2721. We take your insurance details and check your TMS benefits, including any prior authorization your plan needs.
Consultation and qEEG brain map
You meet our team, talk through your history and medications, and we record a qEEG. The recording takes less than an hour and doesn’t hurt.
Your plan in writing
We explain the recommended plan, the schedule and your cost before you decide anything.
Treatment
Sessions are on weekdays and take under an hour. Most people keep working. We repeat the brain map every 10 treatment days and adjust if needed.
Insurance coverage for TMS
Many plans cover TMS for major depression in adults. Plans usually ask for a diagnosis of major depression and a record of antidepressants that didn’t help enough, and they require prior authorization before treatment starts. We handle the paperwork with your plan.
We work with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Aetna. Check my coverage.
Self-pay and HSA/FSA
If your plan won’t cover TMS, self-pay is $5,100 for the first two weeks and $4,175 for each additional two weeks. Each block includes 10 sessions, a consultation and a new qEEG brain map. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. See self-pay pricing.
Side effects
TMS has been used in clinics since 2008. The common side effects are mild: scalp discomfort where the coil rests, a headache, or tiredness after a session. They usually ease within the first week or two.
Seizures are rare. TMS isn’t suitable for people with metal or an implanted device in or near the head, such as an aneurysm clip or a cochlear implant. Dental fillings and braces are fine. We review your full history before recommending treatment.
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Reign-Bow is an outpatient clinic, not an emergency service.
Last updated October 2026.
Common questions
Is TMS covered by insurance for depression?
Often, yes. Most plans cover TMS for major depression in adults when their criteria are met, usually after antidepressants haven’t helped enough, and with prior authorization. We bill Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Aetna and check your benefits first.
Do I have to stop my antidepressant?
No. Many people stay on their medication during TMS. Don’t change any prescription without talking to the doctor who prescribes it.
How long does TMS take to work?
Some people notice changes in the second or third week. A full course is usually 4 to 6 weeks of weekday sessions, and we review progress with a new brain map every 10 treatment days.
Can I drive and work during TMS?
Yes. There’s no sedation, so you can drive yourself and go back to work right after a session.
Is TMS the same as ECT?
No. ECT uses electrical current under general anesthesia. TMS uses focused magnetic pulses while you’re awake, with no anesthesia and no memory side effects.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can call us directly to book a consultation. If your insurance needs records from your doctor, we’ll help gather them.
Ask about TMS for depression
Call us with your insurance card handy. We’ll check your TMS benefits and answer your questions before anything is scheduled.
What happens when you call
- Tell us who the care is for and what’s been going on. No records needed for the first call.
- We check your benefits with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna or Aetna, or walk you through self-pay pricing. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
- We book your consultation and qEEG brain map at a time that works for you.
Prefer to write? Request a consultation or verify your insurance.