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Getting Started with TMS: Your Step-by-Step Guide

From your first call to your final session, here is exactly what the process of beginning TMS therapy at High Peaks TMS looks like — including how insurance works, what to bring, and what to expect on your first day.

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✓ No Doctor Referral Required  ·  Call or contact us directly  ·  Free insurance verification  ·  Same-week consultations
The Complete Process

No surprises. No hidden steps. Just a clear path from consideration to treatment.

1

Free Consultation Call

Call (719) 602-0622 or submit the contact form. We review your clinical history, confirm preliminary eligibility, and answer your questions. No commitment required.

2

Insurance Verification

We verify your specific TMS benefits — coverage criteria, deductible status, and cost-share — and report back to you before scheduling any appointments. This is done at no charge.

3

Prior Authorization

We submit all required clinical documentation to your insurer. We track status, follow up, and manage the authorization to approval — you make no calls to your insurance company.

4

In-Clinic Consultation

Your first in-person visit confirms your candidacy, completes the clinical intake, and answers remaining questions. A psychiatrist reviews your history and establishes your treatment plan.

5

Session 1: Calibration

Your first treatment session establishes your motor threshold — the precise stimulation intensity calibrated to your individual neurophysiology. This ensures accurate, consistent stimulation throughout your course.

6

Treatment Course Begins

Five sessions per week, 20–37 minutes each. Most patients begin noticing clinical improvement between weeks two and three. Our team monitors your progress using validated outcome measures.

7

Outcome Assessment

At the end of your course, we complete a formal outcome assessment and coordinate with your referring provider or psychiatrist on next steps — including ongoing care and retreatment planning if warranted.

8

Maintenance Planning

We develop a maintenance plan to preserve your gains — including retreatment criteria, medication management coordination, and wellness check-ins at 3 and 6 months post-treatment.

What to Bring to Your First Visit
  • 01
    Photo ID and insurance cardWe verify your insurance in-office and confirm your personal information.
  • 02
    List of current medicationsIncluding dosages and prescribing physicians. Include supplements and OTC medications.
  • 03
    Prior psychiatric records (if available)Documentation of prior antidepressant trials, diagnoses, and treatment history. We can also request these from your providers.
  • 04
    Referral letter (if applicable)Required for VA Community Care and some TRICARE plans. Your PCM or psychiatrist provides this.
What to Expect at Session One

Your first session is the motor threshold calibration session. It typically runs 45–60 minutes (longer than subsequent sessions). You will feel the tapping sensation of the coil and may experience mild scalp discomfort. This is normal and diminishes over the first week.

Scheduling

Once insurance is authorized, most patients can begin treatment within 3–5 business days. Same-week start dates are available for self-pay patients. Call (719) 602-0622 to schedule.

Ready to take the first step?

Call us or submit a consultation request. Insurance verified at no charge. No commitment required.