What does this research mean for the field?

The lifetime limit of 50 rebated TMS sessions for depressed patients should be raised to 70 sessions to accommodate the relapsing nature of major depressive disorder. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To advocate for raising the lifetime limit of treatments for TMS in patients with major depressive disorder.

February 28, 2026Australasian Psychiatry0 citationsOpen Access

Reconsideration of the lifetime limit of 50 rebated TMS sessions

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SPSaxby Pridmore YTYvonne Turnier-Shea MRMarzena Rybak

Key Points

To advocate for raising the lifetime limit of treatments for TMS in patients with major depressive disorder.
Analyzed the current Medicare benefits schedule for TMS treatment.
Reviewed evidence of TMS efficacy in patients with major depressive disorder and treatment resistant disorder.
Proposed an increase in the treatment limit from 50 to 70 sessions per year.
TMS has demonstrated remission in patients with major depressive disorder when other treatments failed.
The current limit of 50 treatments often restricts necessary ongoing support for relapsing patients.
Increasing the limit to 70 treatments could allow for better patient management.

Abstract

Objective To make a case for the Medicare benefits schedule (MBS) rule, that depressed patients who benefit from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have a lifetime limit of 50 treatments, to be reconsidered. Conclusion Evidence proves TMS can produce remission in major depressive disorder/treatment resistant disorder (MDD/TRD) when medication has failed. This is a relapsing disorder, and further treatments are usually required (but are prevented by this limit). We suggest the limit be raised to 70 treatments (2 courses, or similar) per year.

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Cite This Study

Pridmore et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a287f20a974eb0d3c03d24 https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562261431257

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February 28, 2026Australasian Psychiatry0 citationsOpen Access

Reconsideration of the lifetime limit of 50 rebated TMS sessions

View Full Paper

SPSaxby Pridmore YTYvonne Turnier-Shea MRMarzena Rybak

Key Points

To advocate for raising the lifetime limit of treatments for TMS in patients with major depressive disorder.
Analyzed the current Medicare benefits schedule for TMS treatment.
Reviewed evidence of TMS efficacy in patients with major depressive disorder and treatment resistant disorder.
Proposed an increase in the treatment limit from 50 to 70 sessions per year.
TMS has demonstrated remission in patients with major depressive disorder when other treatments failed.
The current limit of 50 treatments often restricts necessary ongoing support for relapsing patients.
Increasing the limit to 70 treatments could allow for better patient management.

Abstract

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View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Pridmore et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a287f20a974eb0d3c03d24 https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562261431257

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View Full Paper