Timing is everything

When your Parkinson's disease (PD) medications begin to lose their effectiveness, you don’t need to lose hope—you need to act. This is the time to speak to your neurologist about DBS.1,2 

Understand the window

The ideal “window” to get DBS therapy is when you’re still responding to levodopa but are no longer able to control motor symptoms with medication alone. This point varies from person to person but begins about 4 years after diagnosis. Although there’s no age cutoff for DBS, overall health status and evidence of dementia will affect your eligibility, so it’s important to talk about DBS with your neurologist early on in your diagnosis.1,2 

Know the signs

If you are struggling to keep up with medication, meaning it’s losing its effectiveness earlier and earlier, the time to speak to your doctor is now. You may notice that your medication wears off before the end of a dose or you’re taking more medication than before. Increased side effects, such as dyskinesia, may appear. Once your PD medication becomes ineffective, DBS is no longer an option. This is why it’s important to research DBS early and speak to your doctor about your options throughout your PD journey.1,2 

Covering DBS

In the early stages of PD, reach out to your insurance provider about DBS. Knowing you’re covered provides valuable peace of mind to you and your family. A prior authorization may be required and all plans vary, but Medicare may cover the majority of DBS and some commercial insurers cover all or a portion of the procedure. See what your provider offers.

Is DBS the right solution for you? 

Take this short quiz and find out now. ⟶