FAQ
A neuropsychological assessment includes pencil-paper tests that are done in the office. These tests help us to understand how a person’s brain is functioning, including areas of strength and weakness. This information can determine if someone is experiencing a memory problem, such as dementia, or if they are having improvements in their cognition following an injury to the brain due to trauma or a stroke. A neuropsychological assessment can also help to determine if the problems someone is experiencing with memory are due to everyday stressors or something that can be reversed. An assessment will also provide a better understanding of a person’s emotional functioning and how this may impact their cognitive abilities.
A neuropsychological assessment starts with an interview to get to know you and what symptoms you may be experiencing. Family members often accompany you to this interview and assist in giving information. Afterwards, or possibly on a different day, you will take the tests, which are mostly paper and pencil tasks and tests that involve answering questions. Some of the tasks will include self-report measures; however, the majority of the testing is completed by a neuropsychologist or a trained technician. The tests help to identify how your brain functions and if the issues you may be experiencing with attention, memory or learning that are “normal” for your age or due to a condition that should be monitored and treated by your medical provider.
A standard assessment includes an initial interview and 3 or more hours of testing. The amount of time needed for testing is flexible, with the time requirement depending on the needs of the individual. The interview is completed on the first day to obtain history, areas of concern, and help us to identify the most appropriate tests and how long the testing will take. After the initial interview, testing will be scheduled within the next 1-2 weeks and would be broken into 2-3 hour increments with a lunch break and other shorter breaks as necessary.
While you are not able to study for these tests, there are ways to prepare for the assessment.
1. Bring a current list of all the medications that you are taking and dosages.
2. Request the most recent after visit summary from your medical provider to give us your most up to date medical and surgical history.
3. Bring reports of any brain imaging that you may have completed including CT, MRI , PET scans or other neurodiagnostic tests such as an EEG.
4. If you have previously had a neuropsychological assessment, bring in the copy of your report, which we will use to provide a comparison of your current performance.
5. Invite a family member or a close friend to the interview that may be able to provide any additional information about how you are doing.
6. Make sure to get a good night’s rest, eat something and take your medications as prescribed. In some instances, it may be recommended that medications are suspended briefly, such as in the cases of ADHD evaluations, to determine an individual’s performance without it. Consuming substances such as alcohol, cannabis or other mood or cognitive altering drugs within 24 hours is discouraged, as these may impact your performance.
Neuro Assessment Services, PLLC is in-network with Medicare, Aetna, BlueCross/BlueShield of Illinois, and Humana. Typically, insurance will cover a portion of the assessment. You should contact your insurance to verify your benefits as well as clarify if there is any pre-authorization requirement to confirm that the insurance will cover the assessment. Any other insurances not listed would fall under out of network and you would be considered self-pay. We will provide you with a super-bill to submit to your OON insurance for reimbursement, although you should contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage for a neuropsychological assessment.
The initial consultation is $250 and will be paid at the time of the first appointment. The expected cost of the assessment is to be paid prior to or on the day of testing before the assessment can begin.
Due to the significant time allotted for you, we request that you provide 24 hour notice if you will not be able to keep your appointment or you will be charged the full rate of your appointment if we are not provided with notice.