ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR MDMA-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY

 

Patients eligible for the MDMA-assisted therapy program will be those who have not responded to other treatments for PTSD, necessitating the use of an alternative treatment. Patients will have persisting PTSD symptoms after attempting 2 or more treatments such as:

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• At least two antidepressants

• Psychological therapy, including EMDR or trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

 

 

Financial Eligibility

 

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is a very costly treatment.  It is not covered by Medicare.  As such, unfortunately many patients in need may need be able to access this treatment. 

 

The requirements of the insurer or governmental department responsible for paying for the treatment may have much stricter requirements.  For example, some insurers may require the individual to have exhausted a far more comprehensive range of treatments including repetitive trans-cranial stimulation or combinations of medications.  

 

At the moment, the Department of Veterans Affairs are requiring all patients who are investigating the possibility of treatment with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy will require a second opinion by another Authorised Prescriber.  

 

One worker’s compensation insurer has informed us that at the moment, all patients being considered for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy will have to undergo an Independent Medical Examination.

 

Medibank Private is supporting psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as an in-patient treatment.

 

 

Exclusion Criteria:

 

• psychotic disorders

• Bipolar I disorder

• first-degree relative with a psychotic disorder

• uncontrolled hypertension

• significant cardiovascular disease

• pregnancy

• active substance use disorder