KQED/KFF Health News —A much-awaited treatment for postpartum depression, zuranolone, hit the market in December, promising an accessible and fast-acting medication for a debilitating illness.
Miriam McDonald, who developed severe postpartum depression and suicidal ideation after giving birth in late 2019, battled Kaiser Permanente for more than a year to find effective treatment.
Her doctors refused to prescribe brexanolone, the only FDA-approved medication specifically for postpartum depression at the time.
Insurers’ policies for zuranolone will be written at a time when the regulatory environment around mental health treatment is shifting.
In the meantime, Burkhard said, patients suffering from postpartum depression should not hold back from asking their doctors about zuranolone.
Persons:
“, Meiram Bendat, ”, Joy Burkhard, KP’s, Kaiser, Miriam McDonald, ” McDonald, KP, Nico, Keith McDonald, brexanolone, “ Kaiser Permanente, ” “ Kaiser, Burkhard, “ It’s, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ” Burkhard
Organizations:
KQED, KFF, brexanolone, FDA, zuranolone, OB, Center, Maternal Mental, Kaiser Permanente, NPR, Department of Labor, Maternal Mental Health, Medicaid, Cal, U.S . Department of Labor, CNN, CNN Health, KFF Health
Locations:
”, “ Kaiser, California