If you’ve already learned about Spravato, whether from your psychiatrist, your own research, or a friend who’s been through it, you may have run into the same frustrating problem most patients in Tennessee discover quickly: Spravato isn’t available everywhere. It can only be administered at clinics certified through the FDA’s REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program, and very few exist in Middle Tennessee.
Athena Care is one of them. Our Nashville location is a REMS-certified Spravato treatment center, and we were among the first certified providers in the greater Nashville area. If you’re looking for Spravato treatment locally, you don’t have to drive hours or wait months. Here’s what to know.
Athena Care’s Nashville Spravato location: 220 Athens Way, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37228
Our Spravato team works alongside our broader psychiatry, therapy, and interventional psychiatry services, so the people coordinating your treatment also know the rest of your care. To start the qualification process, call 877-641-1155, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm.
Who qualifies for Spravato
Spravato (esketamine) is FDA-approved for two specific indications:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in adults, defined as major depressive disorder that hasn’t adequately responded to at least two other antidepressants. Spravato can be used on its own (as monotherapy) or alongside an oral antidepressant.
- Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder who have acute suicidal ideation or behavior, in combination with an oral antidepressant.
A psychiatrist will confirm whether your history fits one of these indications during your evaluation. Spravato isn’t a first-line treatment, it’s specifically for people for whom standard antidepressants haven’t been enough.
What a Spravato visit actually looks like
Because Spravato can cause temporary sedation and dissociation, every dose is administered under medical supervision at our REMS-certified Nashville clinic.
Here’s what to expect on a treatment day:
- Arrival and check-in. Brief vitals check, including blood pressure (which Spravato can temporarily raise).
- Self-administration of the nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider, in a quiet, comfortable treatment room.
- A two-hour observation period. You’ll stay on-site for at least two hours after dosing, with regular monitoring of blood pressure, alertness, and how you’re feeling. Most side effects, dizziness, mild dissociation, sedation, peak within the first 40 minutes and resolve well before you leave.
- Discharge. Once our team confirms you’re stable and ready, you’ll head home with whoever brought you.
During induction (the first four weeks), Spravato is given twice a week. Maintenance dosing then spaces out, typically to weekly or every other week, depending on how you respond.
Practical logistics: driving, work, and same-day plans
A few things to plan for:
- You cannot drive after a Spravato session. You’ll need to arrange a ride home, from a friend, family member, partner, or rideshare. This is non-negotiable for safety reasons.
- Plan for the rest of the day off. Most patients feel okay by evening, but the day of treatment isn’t a day to work, exercise intensely, or make important decisions. Building rest into your schedule helps.
- Eat lightly before your appointment. Heavy meals just before dosing can increase nausea. Your care team will share specific guidance.
These limits apply only on dosing days. Between treatments, your routine is your own.
Insurance: what BCBST, Cigna, and the withMe program mean for you
Most major insurers in Tennessee cover Spravato for FDA-approved indications when medical necessity is documented. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Cigna typically approve Spravato with prior authorization, and our team handles that process for you. Aetna and UnitedHealthcare plans also typically cover it.
For commercially insured patients, there’s an additional layer of help. Janssen, the maker of Spravato, runs the SPRAVATO withMe Savings Program, which can reduce eligible patients’ out-of-pocket cost per treatment to as little as $10, with an annual benefit cap that covers most or all of a typical induction-plus-maintenance schedule [3]. The program isn’t available for Medicare, Medicaid, or other government plans, but for patients with commercial coverage, it often makes the practical cost far more manageable than the sticker price suggests.
Our care coordinator will run your benefits, walk you through prior authorization, and help you enroll in the savings program if you qualify, all before you commit to anything.
How Spravato pairs with ongoing therapy
Spravato isn’t a replacement for the therapy and support you’ve already built. It works best as part of a broader treatment plan, alongside the depression care you’re already receiving.
For most patients, that looks like continuing weekly therapy, maintaining their current antidepressant (or working with our psychiatrist to optimize it), and adding Spravato as the new variable that may finally break through where other treatments haven’t. We can also coordinate with your existing outpatient providers if you’d prefer to keep them in the loop.
Starting the qualification process
If you’ve been waiting to try Spravato because the closest REMS-certified clinic seemed too far away, that’s no longer the case. Our Nashville team can run the qualification process, your psychiatric evaluation, treatment history review, insurance verification, and prior authorization, often within a couple of weeks.
The first step is simply a call. Reach our Care Coordinator at 877-641-1155, Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm, to start the process. There’s no pressure to commit to anything on the first call. We’ll walk you through what qualification involves and answer any questions you have.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support immediately. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
Frequently asked questions
Where is your Spravato clinic in Nashville? Our REMS-certified Spravato location is at 220 Athens Way, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37228. To schedule an evaluation, call 877-641-1155.
How long is a Spravato appointment? Plan for about 2.5 to 3 hours total: brief check-in, dosing, and the required two-hour observation period afterward. You’ll need a ride home.
Will my insurance cover Spravato? Most major Tennessee plans, including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare, cover Spravato with prior authorization for FDA-approved indications. Our team handles the prior auth process.
What about copays? Commercially insured patients may qualify for the SPRAVATO withMe Savings Program, which can reduce out-of-pocket cost to as little as $10 per treatment, with annual benefit limits. The program isn’t available for Medicare or Medicaid.
Can I drive after a Spravato session? No. Spravato can cause temporary sedation and dissociation, so you’ll need to arrange a ride home. This applies to every dosing day.
Can I work the same day? We strongly recommend planning for the rest of the day off. Most people feel back to normal by evening, but the day of treatment isn’t a day for work or important decisions.
How quickly can I start? Once your qualification evaluation, insurance prior authorization, and REMS enrollment are complete, treatment can typically begin within a couple of weeks of your first call.
You can contact us by filling out this short form or call/text us at +1 877-641-1155 or email [email protected].
Contact us today
Dr. Amanda Sparks-Bushnell, Chief Medical Officer, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Dr. Amanda Sparks-Bushnell is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who maintains a heartfelt commitment to transformative leadership and patient well-being. Her career is marked by a passion for enhancing medical services, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the utmost care for those she serves.
Meg Stein, CFP
Editor
Meg is a certified mindfulness instructor and works at Alive and Aware Practice in Durham, NC. She has over ten years of experience as a content creator and marketing consultant, working in mental healthcare and social justice.
Sources:
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “SPRAVATO (esketamine) nasal spray, CIII, Prescribing Information.” https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211243s016lbl.pdf
[2] SPRAVATO REMS Program, “Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy Requirements.” https://www.spravatorems.com/
[3] Johnson & Johnson, “SPRAVATO withMe Savings Program for Commercially Insured Patients.” https://www.jnjwithme.com/patient/spravato/withme/commercial-or-private-insurance/