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rTMS: Cost and Procedure

Everything you need to know before starting rTMS treatment at Smart CNS Center: duration, sessions, initial assessment, and how the final cost is determined.

The decision to start neuromodulation treatment, such as rTMS or iTBS, is an investment in your health. The purpose of this page is to give you, from the beginning, a complete and transparent understanding of the practical steps, the time involved, and how the cost is determined — without medical jargon or vague “packages”.

The process at a glance: logistics

  • What the initial assessment includes: A complete psychiatric and medical interview, lasting approximately 60 minutes. We record your history, the medication treatments you have tried, and assess whether rTMS is truly an appropriate and safe option for you. We never start sessions without medical certainty.
  • How many sessions are usually needed: Depending on the condition, a protocol may last from 10 to 30 sessions. Usually, 20–30 sessions are used for treatment-resistant depression and 29 for OCD.
  • How long each session lasts: Depending on the technology applied, a session may last from 3 minutes with newer iTBS protocols to 40 minutes with classic 10 Hz rTMS. When the session ends, you return immediately to your activities — you can drive and work normally, without any anaesthesia.
  • When the cost and plan are discussed: The exact treatment plan and financial cost are explained after the initial assessment, when we know precisely what your brain needs.

What affects the final plan and cost

In our approach, there are no “ready-made packages”. The final cost is determined exclusively by the following three clinical factors:

  1. The exact diagnosis: Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, and addictions require different brain-targeting areas and different stimulation intensity or session duration.
  2. The selected protocol: We use latest-generation equipment that allows protocol selection. The 3-minute iTBS theta burst protocol or deep TMS will determine a different structure for the patient’s time.
  3. Patient Response: Many patients show excellent remission by the 15th session, while others may need to reach 30. In any case, the protocol must be completed correctly.

Note: rTMS is currently not covered by EOPYY. However, some private insurance contracts may provide partial coverage. We recommend checking your policy.

What to expect at the first visit

The initial medical assessment is the most important step before starting rTMS. It is important to arrive prepared. Below is what you will be asked to provide:

  • Bring a detailed list of the medications you currently take, including exact doses.
  • Be able to briefly report which pharmacological treatments you have tried in the past and whether they caused side effects that led you to stop them.
  • Inform us immediately if you have non-removable metallic objects in the head or neck, such as vascular clips or pumps, a pacemaker, or a medical history of seizures.
  • Any recent MRI scans or electroencephalograms (EEG) should be submitted to the physician.

After taking the history, we dedicate time to measure your Motor Threshold (rMT). This is the absolutely necessary, painless test that “calibrates” the intensity of the magnetic pulse to your own brain, ensuring safe application conditions. The cost of the first session (100€) is deducted from the total treatment cost when one proceeds with the therapy.

Why cost is not given as a generic number

A generic price without clinical assessment would be medically inaccurate. The cost depends on whether the patient needs classic rTMS, iTBS, deep TMS, bilateral stimulation, an accelerated protocol, or maintenance sessions.

The aim is not to fit every patient into the same treatment format, but to create a clinically appropriate protocol based on diagnosis, safety, response, and treatment goals.

Next steps

If you are considering rTMS, the correct first step is not to choose a “package”, but to complete a medical assessment.

During the assessment, we clarify:

  • Whether rTMS is indicated for your case.
  • Which protocol is more appropriate.
  • How many sessions are likely to be needed.
  • What the estimated cost will be.
  • Whether treatment can be combined with your current medication or psychotherapy.

Book an assessment appointment to discuss whether rTMS is suitable for your clinical profile.