



Spravato® (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression, meaning depression that hasn’t responded to at least two antidepressants. It is taken alongside an oral antidepressant and works on a different brain pathway (the glutamate system) than standard antidepressants. At Lumin Health, every dose is given in a private room under the supervision of our psychiatric team, and patients are monitored for at least 2 hours after each dose, as the FDA requires.
Lumin Health gives Spravato at a REMS-certified location in Bethesda, Maryland: 4825 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 200, in Bethesda Row, a seven-minute walk from Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, with garage parking below. Spravato is available only through a restricted program (REMS), so it can only be given at certified treatment centers like ours. It is never taken home.
Spravato is given only under medical supervision. At Lumin Health, treatment is overseen by our board-certified psychiatric team, led by a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and we screen every patient before starting. The most common side effects during or shortly after a session include dissociation (feeling detached or “floaty”), dizziness, nausea, sleepiness and a temporary rise in blood pressure. That is why we check your blood pressure and monitor you in a private room for at least 2 hours after each dose. Most of these effects fade the same day. You should not drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep, so plan a ride home. Talk with our team, or another licensed health professional, about whether Spravato is right for you.
Insurance Coverage: Coverage depends on the type of treatment. Esketamine (Spravato) – the FDA-approved nasal spray for depression – is covered by Medicare and most major private insurance plans for patients who meet the criteria (generally, those with treatment-resistant depression who have tried other antidepressants). If you qualify for Spravato, your insurer will typically pay for the medication and treatment sessions, leaving you with only a co-pay or deductible similar to a regular specialist visit. Lumin Health works with a wide range of insurers (including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Medicare, and others), and about 95% of our patients have Spravato treatment covered by their insurance, making it very accessible and affordable. We handle the insurance authorization process for Spravato and will let you know upfront if you’re covered.
What you pay: with coverage, most patients pay only their usual specialist co-pay or deductible for each session. Our patient concierges verify your benefits and handle the prior authorization before your first session, so you know your costs up front. If your plan doesn’t cover Spravato, we’ll walk you through the options when you first talk with us.
Spravato is approved for adults whose depression hasn’t improved enough after trying at least two antidepressants. If that sounds like your experience, you may be a good candidate. The best way to know is a professional evaluation. At Lumin Health, our psychiatric team reviews your medical history, current symptoms and past treatments to decide whether Spravato is appropriate and safe for you. Getting started is simple: get in touch online or call 301-783-0326. Most patients can begin treatment within 7 days of their evaluation, and our staff verify your insurance, schedule your sessions and coordinate with your existing providers along the way.