Frequently asked questions.

Yes — Spravato (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation, and most PPO insurance plans cover it out-of-network. We are not contracted with any insurance company, which means we operate out-of-network and are not subject to their fee schedules. For most PPO patients, this works in their favor. We verify your specific coverage before your first appointment.

We work with PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) insurance plans on an out-of-network basis. We do not accept HMO plans, which restrict patients to in-network providers. If you are unsure whether your plan is PPO, call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask.

Out-of-network means we are not contracted with your insurer. Your plan pays us based on its out-of-network benefit rate. For patients with strong PPO coverage, this often means little to no out-of-pocket cost for Spravato. For patients with weaker out-of-network benefits, coinsurance may apply. We verify the specifics before your first visit so there are no surprises.

Use the “Check Your Insurance Coverage” button on this site. Our team will contact your insurer directly and let you know what your out-of-network benefits look like before you commit to anything.

No. Ketamine IV infusion is paid out of pocket. It is not covered by insurance for mental health indications. If Spravato is covered by your PPO plan and clinically appropriate, our team will discuss that option with you.

Spravato sessions run approximately 2 hours each, including the post-dose monitoring period. This is an FDA requirement — not a preference. Ketamine IV infusion sessions run approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on protocol.

For Spravato: twice per week for the first four weeks (the induction phase), then once per week during the optimization phase, then ongoing maintenance on a schedule Dr. Rueda determines based on your response. For Ketamine IV: typically 6 infusions over 2 to 3 weeks, followed by maintenance as needed.

Most patients are in active treatment for 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. Because 75% of our patients are returning long-term patients, treatment at PMC is often a sustained commitment — not a short-term fix. Dr. Rueda reviews your timeline and expectations during your initial consultation.

We are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and select Saturdays. Sessions run approximately 2 hours and must be scheduled in advance. Call our office to discuss timing that works for your schedule.

You can drive yourself to the clinic. You cannot drive yourself home after a Spravato session. This is an FDA requirement. Please arrange a ride home — a friend, family member, or rideshare. Plan to have this in place before your first visit.

Bring your insurance card, a list of your current medications, and a valid ID. You do not need to bring anything else for your first visit. We will walk you through everything when you arrive.

Avoid heavy meals in the 2 hours before your session. A light meal or snack earlier in the day is fine. You do not need to fast.

In most cases, yes. However, if you take benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, or Klonopin), discuss timing with Dr. Rueda — these can reduce the effectiveness of ketamine if taken too close to your session. Do not stop any prescribed medication without guidance from your prescribing doctor.

Yes. A companion can wait in our reception area during your session. They may not accompany you into the treatment room during the session itself.

Experiences vary. Some patients feel mild dissociation — a dreamlike or detached sensation — during the session. Others feel relatively little during the session and notice mood changes hours or days afterward. The experience is different from recreational drug use. You are in a clinical setting, supervised at all times.

Spravato is FDA-approved and administered under direct clinical supervision at every session. Ketamine has been used safely in medical settings for decades. Both treatments carry risks that Dr. Rueda reviews with each patient during their evaluation. No treatment is risk-free — but both are well-established in clinical practice.

No. A clinical staff member is present for the duration of every Spravato session as required by the FDA REMS program. You are supervised from the time you receive the medication through the end of the monitoring period.

Yes. Many patients use headphones and listen to music or a curated playlist during sessions. Some patients prefer quiet. Bring headphones if you like to have something to listen to.

Many patients notice their first meaningful improvement within 24 to 48 hours of one of their early sessions. Others experience gradual change over the first 2 to 3 weeks. Results are not guaranteed and vary by individual, condition, and treatment history.

Response duration varies significantly by patient. Some experience sustained improvement for weeks to months after a session series. Others benefit from ongoing maintenance sessions. Dr. Rueda discusses realistic expectations and maintenance scheduling during your consultation.

Not every patient responds to ketamine-based therapy. Dr. Rueda is transparent about this before treatment begins. If a patient is not responding after an adequate trial, he will discuss this honestly and help identify next steps. PMC does not continue treatment that is not working.

Yes — and we encourage it. Ketamine can enhance the effectiveness of ongoing therapy. We coordinate with your existing providers with your consent.

Dr. Carlos Rueda, MD, MBA — our Medical Director — personally evaluates every patient before treatment begins. We do not delegate this to mid-level providers or use a volume-first approach. Your evaluation is direct and thorough.

Yes. Initial evaluations can be conducted via telehealth for patients who cannot come in person. Follow-up sessions and all treatment sessions are in-person at our Port Chester clinic.

PMC Psychedelic is located at 25 South Regent Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. We serve patients from throughout Westchester County, Fairfield County (CT), Rockland County, and surrounding areas.

Use the “Request a Consult” button on this page or any page on our site, or call us directly. Our team will reach out to schedule your evaluation and begin the insurance verification process.

No. Ketamine and Spravato are administered in precise, controlled doses in a clinical setting under direct medical supervision. This is fundamentally different from recreational drug use in every meaningful way — dose, setting, intention, and oversight. PMC only offers FDA-approved treatments.

No. Spravato (esketamine) is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation. Ketamine has been used safely in clinical medicine for over 50 years. Its off-label use for depression, PTSD, and anxiety is supported by substantial clinical evidence. PMC does not offer experimental or unapproved treatments.

We are monitoring both closely. Psilocybin is in late-stage FDA trials with a potential decision possible in late 2026 or 2027. MDMA was declined by the FDA in 2024 and is working toward resubmission. We will offer both treatments as soon as FDA approval is granted and protocols are established. We are not offering either at this time.

Standard antidepressants primarily target serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine — and typically take 4 to 6 weeks to produce any measurable effect. Ketamine-based treatments target the glutamate system and trigger neuroplastic changes within hours. This different mechanism is why they often work for patients who have not responded to antidepressants.