Chicago foundation expands access to ketamine for depression

Ketamine is transforming treatment for depression, but most insurers won't cover it. A Chicago foundation is helping patients who can't afford to wait.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:06am

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An extreme close-up, translucent X-ray photograph showing the ghostly, glowing internal structure of a syringe filled with a blue-tinted liquid, conceptually representing the transformative power of ketamine therapy for depression.A translucent X-ray image reveals the intricate inner workings of a ketamine infusion, a transformative therapy for those struggling with treatment-resistant depression.Evanston Today

When Jason Prinzo was diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, he found relief through ketamine infusion therapy. However, the high out-of-pocket cost of the treatment put it out of reach for many. In response, the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago founded the Serenity Foundation, a nonprofit that provides need-based financial assistance to patients who cannot afford ketamine treatment. The foundation has funded nearly 3,000 infusion sessions and raised around $800,000, more than 95% of which has gone directly to patients.

Why it matters

Ketamine has shown promising results in treating depression, especially for patients with treatment-resistant cases. But its off-label use and lack of insurance coverage make it inaccessible for many who could benefit. The Serenity Foundation's efforts to subsidize ketamine therapy for low-income patients highlights the need for more affordable and equitable access to innovative mental health treatments.

The details

Ketamine, a Vietnam War-era anesthetic now used to treat severe depression, has been found to have response rates between 60% and 70% in patients with major depressive disorder. Unlike traditional antidepressants, it is administered through a series of IV sessions under medical supervision. However, ketamine is only approved by the FDA as an anesthetic, not for psychiatric use, meaning most insurers won't cover it. Patients can pay anywhere from $275 to $1,300 out of pocket per infusion, putting treatment out of reach for many. The Serenity Foundation, founded by the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago, provides need-based financial assistance to help cover the cost of ketamine therapy for patients who cannot afford it.

  • In 2017, Jason Prinzo decided to try ketamine treatment.
  • In 2021, one ketamine treatment was able to clear Prinzo's suicidal thoughts.
  • Since its start, the Serenity Foundation has funded nearly 3,000 infusion sessions and raised around $800,000.

The players

Jason Prinzo

A mental health advocate and motivational speaker who found relief from treatment-resistant depression through ketamine infusion therapy.

Dr. Bal Nandra

The founder and medical director of the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago, a ketamine clinic that has overseen more than 15,000 ketamine infusions.

Brandon Lutts

A patient of the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago who was able to access ketamine therapy with the help of the Serenity Foundation's financial assistance.

Dr. Brandon Hamm

A psychiatrist at Northwestern Medicine who runs the hospital's Ketamine Infusion Clinic.

Serenity Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded by the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago to provide need-based financial assistance to patients who cannot afford ketamine treatment.

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What they’re saying

“When I say ketamine saved my life, it absolutely saved my life.”

— Jason Prinzo, Mental health advocate and motivational speaker

“I sat down as one person, and when I woke up an hour and a half later, I felt like an entirely different human being. It was the first time I had felt joy in so long.”

— Brandon Lutts, Patient of the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago

“We started the foundation so we could help people who really just can't afford it, or who just need a supplement.”

— Dr. Bal Nandra, Founder and medical director of the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago

What’s next

As ketamine clinics expand, broader access will likely depend on stronger clinical evidence and regulatory shifts that would allow for ketamine to be formally recognized as a standard treatment for mental health conditions. The FDA's approval of esketamine nasal spray, a ketamine-related treatment, could potentially open the door for similar therapies and broader insurance coverage.

The takeaway

The Serenity Foundation's efforts to subsidize ketamine therapy for low-income patients highlights the critical need for more affordable and equitable access to innovative mental health treatments. While ketamine has shown promising results, its high out-of-pocket cost puts it out of reach for many who could benefit the most, underscoring the importance of addressing the systemic barriers to accessing cutting-edge therapies.