Local 6-Week TMS or Travel for a 5-Day Program? How to Decide
There is no universally right answer. Standard TMS near home is slower but often covered and well-studied; a 5-day accelerated program is fast but, unless it’s SAINT®, it’s an off-label schedule with no personalized MRI target. This page helps you compare on cost, coverage, time, and evidence — honestly, both can be reasonable.
Key takeaways
- Standard TMS near home: ~6 weeks, often covered by insurance, larger evidence base.
- A non-SAINT 5-day program: fast and cheaper, but off-label, no personal MRI target, SAINT® results don’t transfer.
- Traveling for SAINT®: 5 days, MRI-targeted, FDA-cleared — from $25,000 plus travel.
- Decide on facts: is it really SAINT®, is local TMS covered, and how much time can you be away?
Is it worth traveling for 5-day TMS?
It depends on three things: whether the program is actually SAINT® (you can check the Magnus provider locator), whether standard TMS near you is covered by your plan, and how much time you can be away from work and family. A covered local course may be the right first step. Travel makes sense when you specifically want the five-day, MRI-targeted, FDA-cleared protocol and it isn’t available close to home.
We don’t believe local standard TMS is inferior. It has a 20+ year evidence base and broad coverage, and for many patients it is exactly the right treatment. The case for traveling is the compressed schedule and personalized targeting — only if the program is genuinely SAINT®.
Is a ‘SAINT-like’ program the same as SAINT?
No. Some 5-day programs copy SAINT®’s 50-session schedule but skip the brain MRI and use scalp or head measurements on standard machines — an off-label approach. SAINT® is one specific FDA-cleared protocol with its own targeting software and the Magnus Medical system, delivered only by providers listed on Magnus Medical’s official locator.
Before you book any 5-day program, ask whether the clinic is on the Magnus locator and whether the price includes the brain MRI, consultation, all 50 sessions, and follow-up. How to verify a SAINT® provider and BEAM F3 vs fMRI targeting.
What does traveling for SAINT cost in total?
Treatment is from $25,000 for the full five-day course at Neuro Wellness, including the brain MRI, psychiatric oversight, all 50 sessions, and follow-up. Add round-trip airfare to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Palm Beach (PBI) and any hotel nights while you’re in treatment.
We run a free insurance benefits check first so you know what your plan may cover before you book travel. Self-pay is available. We won’t say “covered by insurance” about SAINT® — coverage is limited and decided case by case through prior authorization.
Side by side: three real options
| Local standard TMS | Travel for a non-SAINT 5-day program | Travel for SAINT® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | ~6 weeks of daily visits | 5 days | 5 days |
| Targeting | Scalp measurement | Scalp/head measurements, off-label | Your brain MRI + FDA-cleared software |
| Insurance | Often covered when criteria are met | Usually self-pay only | Limited, case-by-case prior auth |
| Cost | Varies by plan; often lowest out-of-pocket | Often the lowest sticker price | From $25,000 + travel |
| Evidence | 20+ years of studies | Not tested in the SAINT® trials | 79% remission in the controlled trial |
| Right for | Patients with covered plans and time | Patients prioritizing price and speed | Patients who want the MRI-targeted 5-day protocol |
Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.
Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week
Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?
Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.
SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.
How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.
Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.
What makes it different: SAINT is the only FDA-cleared depression treatment that uses an fMRI scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.
In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America
Coral Springs, Florida
Free benefits check · Self-pay options available
Call or Text: 954-827-9793
Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.
Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth traveling for 5-day TMS?
It depends on three things: whether the program is actually SAINT® (check the Magnus provider locator), whether standard TMS near you is covered by your plan, and how much time you can be away. A covered local course may be the right first step; travel makes sense when you want the five-day, MRI-targeted protocol.
Is a ‘SAINT-like’ program the same as SAINT?
No. Some 5-day programs copy SAINT®’s 50-session schedule but skip the brain MRI and use scalp or head measurements on standard machines — an off-label approach. SAINT® is one specific FDA-cleared protocol with its own targeting software and device, delivered only by verified providers.
What does traveling for SAINT cost in total?
Treatment is from $25,000 for the full five-day course. Add airfare to Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach and any hotel nights while you’re in treatment. We’ll run a free insurance benefits check to see what your plan may cover before you decide.
Cited Research
Important Safety Information
SAINT® is not for everyone. It is contraindicated for people with non-removable magnetic-sensitive metal in or near the head, certain implanted devices, or increased intracranial pressure. Possible side effects include headache, fatigue, scalp discomfort and anxiety; TMS carries a small risk of seizure. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
SAINT® is delivered only by verified providers on the Magnus Medical system. Programs described as SAINT “alternatives”, “equivalents” or “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” are not SAINT®, are not affiliated with us, and SAINT® results do not apply to them. Read our SAINT® disclaimer.
Compare your options with us, free
Speak with our clinical team. A free consultation is the best way to get answers specific to your situation.
SAINT® is a registered trademark of Stanford University, exclusively licensed to Magnus Medical, Inc. Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America does not name or endorse any competitor. Individual results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Coverage varies by plan.