New funding pathway provides greater access to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for eligible DVA cardholders.
Veterans may now have extended access to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), providing additional options for those seeking care for depression.
For eligible DVA cardholders who have not previously received TMS, treatment may be covered under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) criteria. Under these criteria, patients can access up to 35 sessions for an acute course of TMS, followed by up to 15 maintenance sessions available four months after the initial treatment course.
Historically, once DVA cardholders had used the sessions covered under the MBS, they were required to submit an approval request to DVA for funding of any additional TMS treatment.
From 1st January 2026, DVA has introduced a new scheme that provides further access to TMS after the MBS-covered sessions have been used. Under this scheme, eligible patients may access up to 100 TMS sessions per year, with a lifetime limit of up to 300 sessions.
For DVA patients who do not meet the MBS criteria, or who have exhausted the sessions available under the new scheme, the DVA approval pathway is then still available.
For more information on TMS for DVA members, visit our DVA and ADF Members webpage. Veterans interested in learning more can also speak with one of our TMS Clinician through our free information calls to discuss DVA access to TMS and their potential eligibility for treatment.
