Most people researching ketamine therapy in Minnesota list cost as the first thing that stops them from making a call. That hesitation is understandable, and we think the most respectful thing we can do is answer the cost question plainly, before you ever schedule a consultation. At Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute, financial transparency is part of how we care for patients — because treatment you cannot afford is not actually a treatment option.
What Ketamine Infusion Therapy Costs at Our Clinic
Ketamine infusion therapy at Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute is priced at $500 per infusion for the initial series of six treatments. Maintenance infusions — the ongoing sessions that help sustain the benefits of the initial series — are $400 per infusion. There are no hidden facility fees or assessment surcharges layered on top of those figures. What you see is what the treatment costs.
The standard course of six infusions is administered over a two-to-three-week period, which means the full initial series represents a total out-of-pocket investment of $3,000. For many patients, that number prompts a fair question: why is ketamine priced the way it is? The answer is rooted in what the treatment actually involves. Each infusion requires a trained provider, continuous vital sign monitoring, individualized dosing, a clinical setting equipped for safety, and approximately 40 minutes of active infusion time plus recovery support. This is not a simple medication handoff — it is a supervised medical procedure with a clinical team present throughout. Research from the National Institutes of Health confirms that side effects from a single antidepressant-dose IV ketamine infusion are mild and brief, which is partly a function of careful clinical monitoring, not an accident of the drug itself.
The maintenance phase is where many patients feel the long-term value most clearly. After completing the initial series, maintenance infusions are typically recommended once every two to eight weeks depending on individual response. The reduced per-infusion cost at the maintenance stage reflects our commitment to making ongoing care as accessible as possible for patients who have found meaningful relief.
Does Insurance Cover Ketamine Infusions?
Ketamine infusion therapy for mental health conditions is currently administered as an off-label treatment — meaning the FDA has not approved it specifically for psychiatric indications, though it has been used safely in clinical settings for decades and research supporting its effectiveness continues to grow (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). Because of this off-label status, most insurance plans do not cover IV ketamine infusions, and we want to be straightforward about that rather than leave patients to discover it after the fact.
What this means practically is that ketamine infusions are an out-of-pocket expense for the majority of our patients. Most HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card accounts can be used as a form of payment, which for many patients provides a meaningful tax-advantaged way to offset the cost. If you have an HSA or FSA, we encourage you to check with your account administrator ahead of your consultation. You can also review our frequently asked questions page for additional details on payment and coverage.
We accept cash, credit and debit cards, and checks made out to MKW-Institute. If you have questions about which payment methods work best for your situation, our front desk team will walk through the options with you before you commit to anything.
SPRAVATO®: A Different Insurance Picture
SPRAVATO® (esketamine nasal spray) is a separate treatment from IV ketamine infusions, and its insurance coverage situation is meaningfully different. SPRAVATO® is FDA-approved for two specific indications: treatment-resistant depression (TRD), defined as inadequate response to at least two antidepressant medications, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. Because of that FDA approval status, most major insurance plans cover SPRAVATO® for eligible patients.
At our clinic, SPRAVATO® is administered under the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which requires in-clinic monitoring for approximately two hours after each session. Our team guides patients through the insurance prior authorization process, and the Janssen CarePath Savings Card is available as a financial assistance program for eligible patients who need additional cost reduction. If you are wondering whether SPRAVATO® might be an appropriate fit given your history with antidepressants, that is exactly the kind of conversation our initial consultation is designed to have (Food and Drug Administration).
The Cost of Not Treating Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD
This is worth naming honestly: the financial cost of ketamine therapy is real, and for some patients it represents a significant decision. At the same time, the conditions we treat — depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, and suicidal ideation — carry their own costs when left unaddressed. Missed work, strained relationships, ongoing medication trials that are not working, and diminished quality of life are not free. We are not in the business of pressuring anyone into treatment, but we do think the full cost picture deserves to include what living untreated actually costs over time.
We also recognize that patients who come to us have often already invested in treatments that did not help. Our team — which includes our founder and CEO, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with 20 years of trauma center experience; our Medical Director and psychiatrist with over 26 years in the field; and psychiatric nurse practitioners and licensed therapists — approaches every consultation with that history in mind. We do not start from zero. We start from where you actually are.
Addressing the Scheduling Barrier
For patients who are managing demanding work schedules or caregiving responsibilities, the time commitment of the initial treatment series is another practical barrier worth discussing. The six-infusion series spans two to three weeks, with each appointment after the intake visit requiring approximately one hour of your time — plus the restriction on driving for twelve to twenty-four hours after each infusion, which means arranging a ride for every session. We offer appointments Tuesday through Thursday during standard clinic hours, with Monday and Friday slots available by appointment. Our team is available to help you think through scheduling before you commit to a start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any way to reduce the cost of ketamine infusions? We offer a $250 discount on ketamine therapy services for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and front-line workers. Simply mention your service during your initial phone consultation or assessment appointment and we will apply the discount. Beyond that, using HSA or FSA funds is the most common way patients manage out-of-pocket costs.
Why doesn’t insurance cover ketamine infusions if they work? Ketamine infusions for psychiatric conditions are currently used as an off-label treatment — the FDA did not originally approve ketamine for mental health applications, though clinical experience and a growing body of research has led to widespread use. Insurance coverage typically follows FDA approval, and that approval pathway for IV ketamine in psychiatry is still in progress. SPRAVATO®, which did receive FDA approval for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with suicidal ideation, is covered by most major insurance plans.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for SPRAVATO® as well? Both HSA and FSA accounts can generally be used for FDA-approved treatments, and SPRAVATO® is FDA-approved for its indicated uses. We recommend confirming with your account administrator before your first session, as individual account terms vary.
What happens if I need more than six infusions? Maintenance infusions are a normal and expected part of most patients’ long-term treatment plans. After the initial series, ongoing infusions are priced at $400 per session. How often maintenance infusions are recommended varies by individual — typically once every two to eight weeks — and those decisions are made collaboratively with your provider based on how you are responding.
Do I have to pay for everything upfront? No — payment is made on a per-session basis. You are not required to pay for the full series in advance.
Key Takeaways
- IV ketamine infusions at Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute are $500 per infusion for the initial series of six treatments; maintenance infusions are $400 per infusion.
- Ketamine infusions are an out-of-pocket expense for most patients; most HSA and FSA accounts are accepted as payment.
- SPRAVATO® (esketamine), FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation, is covered by most major insurance plans and follows a different financial pathway than IV ketamine.
- A $250 service discount is available for military personnel, law enforcement officers, and front-line workers on ketamine therapy.
- Results vary by individual; all treatment and payment decisions are made collaboratively with your provider at our clinic.
Cost is one of the most honest questions a patient can ask, and it deserves a straight answer. At Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute, our pricing is clear, our team is available to walk through payment options before you commit, and our goal is to help you make a fully informed decision about whether treatment here is right for you. Call us at 612-502-2800 or complete the consultation form on our website to speak with our team. We will give you the real numbers and the real answers.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). New hope for rapid-acting depression treatment. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2024/new-hope-for-rapid-acting-depression-treatment
- National Institutes of Health. Side effects mild, brief following single antidepressant dose of intravenous ketamine. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/side-effects-mild-brief-single-antidepressant-dose-intravenous-ketamine
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves new nasal spray medication for treatment-resistant depression; available only at a certified healthcare facility. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-nasal-spray-medication-treatment-resistant-depression-available-only-certified
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this blog is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ketamine therapy and SPRAVATO® treatment at Minnesota Ketamine & Wellness Institute are medical procedures that should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed provider familiar with your complete medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. Pricing, insurance coverage, and payment options are subject to change; contact our clinic directly for current information. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.