Bouffard asserted that ketamine therapy is a widely accepted viable treatment for patients experiencing health conditions such as major depressive disorders among other mental conditions. Research has shown that Ketamine infusion therapy is better than other conventional antidepressants and there is a growing concern in the medical fraternity that it should be incorporated as a mainstream procedure for redressing the signs of depression among others.
Kirby asserted that it is important to note that Ketamine faces a significant hurdle with regards to its use because it is not recognized by the insurance policies mainly because it is yet to get approval from the Food and Drug Association (FDA) (783-784). However, there are three critical reasons why the insurance companies should cover ketamine infusions. Firstly, it is cost-effective, and secondly, it has proven to reduce suicidality with more rapid rapidity than typical SSRI antidepressants. Lastly, ethically speaking, great mental healthcare should be accessible to people from all social strata.
It is important to note that the first line treatment for patients suffering from depression is the oral antidepressants which include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Bouffard pointed out that a lack of improvement will lead to the second line treatment known as the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). However, many patients try these two lines of therapy without any significant improvement thereby incurring unnecessary high costs for an ineffective regimen. Ketamine infusion therapy thus becomes the only cost-effective treatment method given that it is useful especially to those who will be resistant to the first and second lines of treatment. Kirby further said that ketamine infusion therapy could also serve as a cheaper alternative to other sophisticated methods of treating mental conditions such as the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (784). That said, it is upon the government, companies and other relevant authorities to incorporate Ketamine therapy as part of what they cover in their insurance programs because it will help in saving more resources to due to its cost and effectiveness.
Through the help of research, Lee asserted that ketamine infusion therapy has proven to reduce suicidality with more rapidity than typical SSRI antidepressants. It is critical to note that Ketamine has rapid antidepressant effects and therefore acts quickly to reduce depressive symptoms and also stops suicidal ideation in some patients (28). According to Lee, research conducted with 14 subjects with cases of depression suicidality were subjected to the Ketamine infusion therapy and monitored for four hours. The conclusion was that all the subjected recorded a diminished suicide score hence depicting diminished suicidal ideation (29). One of the main aims of the insurance companies is to cover for a treatment intervention that is not only affordable but also that which yields the desirable results by preventing adverse effects. Ketamine infusion therapy, therefore, becomes the main candidate for consideration with the insurance companies.
Health care is right and not a privilege. Every person, irrespective of their gender, age, race, and ethnicity among other social strata should receive quality and affordable health care. In this regard, it is critical to note that the insurance policy is at the center stage of ensuring equality in all spheres of the health industry. Sisti et al. pointed out that when the Ketamine infusion therapy is included in the insurance policy, it will improve health care and also ensure that people from different social strata achieve it due to increased accessibility and affordability (527).
One of the major reasons why ketamine infusion therapy is not trusted as a remedy for mental health is because it is not accredited by the FDA. However, several trials have been carried out and positive outcomes witnessed when depression symptoms disappeared 24 hours after treatment. Therefore, FDA should not question its safety given that research has proven otherwise. Kirby noted that due to its quick positive effects, there had been concerns that it can be addictive. However, with strict policies on its use and distribution, this concern could effectively be mitigated (783).
Until today, many governments and insurance companies have remained reluctant to include the ketamine infusion therapy in its insurance plan. However, mental health can greatly improve when this initiative is taken because research has backed up the suitability of ketamine as one of the best ways of treating psychological issues. In conclusion, the Ketamine infusion therapy, despite having not officially received a nod from the insurance companies qualifies to be considered by the insurance companies for three significant ways. First, it is cost-effective, reduces suicidality rapidly in comparison with other antidepressants, and finally, when viewed through the lenses of ethics, it should be availed to everybody through its consideration by FDA and the insurance companies.
