Enthea expands ketamine-assisted therapy as nationwide employee benefit

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Enthea, which bills itself as the only licensed provider of health benefit plans that cover medication-assisted therapies, is making ketamine-assisted therapy available across the U.S. as an employee benefit.

The Drug Enforcement Administration describes ketamine as a dissociative anesthetic with some hallucinogenic effects, such as distorting the perceptions of sight and sound. It can induce a state of sedation, pain relief and temporary amnesia, and is an approved medical product as an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals. It also comes in the form of a nasal spray for treating resistant depression.

The benefits of ketamine, Enthea said, include interrupting unhealthy thought patterns and increasing neuroplasticity, thus facilitating some positive rewiring of the brain.

"Ketamine is a very valuable tool for therapists trying to help with these disorders," said Dr. Dan Rome, Enthea's chief medical officer. "When programmed mental defenses are lowered, more patients are able to get to the root of their problems. This can result in long-term relief – and not merely symptom suppression, as is too often the case with today's conventional therapy."

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

Enthea's ability to expand the benefit nationwide is due in part to its existing provider network, including new partnerships with Skylight Psychedelics and Innerwell, the company said. Skylight offers onsite medicine experiences at Skylight Journey Centers nationwide, as well as remotely to patients who prefer an at-home experience; Innerwell combines legal medications, a holistic team of clinicians and data-driven coaching, as well as at-home and in-person care.

Businesses interested in offering ketamine assisted therapy (KAT) for employees can simply add it as an ancillary benefit, similar to dental and vision offerings. Enthea's turnkey services provide employers with what they need to deliver the benefit, the company said, including a network of credentialed KAT providers; authorization of treatment and provider reimbursement for covered services; an established medical policy and standards of care; and employee education and support.

The announcement of Ethnea's expansion comes on the heels of recently published data showing positive results from a California-based soap company called Dr. Bronner's, which offered KAT as an ancillary benefit beginning in January 2022. During the first year, 7% of overall health plan members completed their physician-recommended KAT treatment regimen, which includes medical and psychiatric intake, preparatory sessions, ketamine medicine sessions and therapy sessions.

Data showed an 86% improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder, 67% improvement in major depressive disorder and 65% improvement in generalized anxiety disorder.

Enthea said it has a growing list of premium partners and employers that will be onboarded on a regular basis.

THE LARGER TREND

According to the DEA, ketamine can be abused for the dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects, and the agency claims it has also been used to "facilitate sexual assault."

It listed a number of undesirable side effects, such as agitation, depression, cognitive difficulties, unconsciousness, amnesia, involuntary rapid eye movement, dilated pupils, salivation, tear secretions, stiffening of the muscles and possible nausea.

"Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) has been reported several weeks after ketamine use and may include experiencing prolonged visual disturbances," according to the DEA. Overdose can result in unconsciousness and shallow breathing.

ON THE RECORD

"Nationwide availability represents a pivotal moment in accomplishing Enthea's mission of helping employers with workplace mental health challenges," said Enthea CEO and cofounder Sherry Rais. "Our services at Enthea make it easy on businesses to embrace this safe and effective treatment offering for their employees and we're proud to have the potential to impact the millions of people in the U.S. living with mental health conditions."
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com