Patricia Beldotti, Psy.D. Email: drbeldotti@aol.com Tel: 520-404-7553 Web: www.drbeldotti.com Assessment Costs I understand that assessment needs differ and that these assessments can be costly, especially for individuals who are paying privately for services that are not covered by their insurance. That is why I have provided different assessment options to select from when appropriate. Options may range from shorter and more cost-effective evaluations to more comprehensive evaluations. At times, shorter evaluations may be sufficient to answer the question or provide a diagnosis. At other times, comprehensive assessments are preferred to ensure that all areas of difficulty are clearly identified so treatment can be most effective. Specific assessments can be further customized depending on your specific needs and costs will vary based on this, however this list will give you an idea of what the costs might be for some of the most commonly requested assessments. Feel free to contact me to discuss your needs further or to determine if insurance might cover some of these costs. Please note: Academic / Psychoeducational / Learning Disability assessments are not covered by health insurance since these are considered to be educational. This cannot be covered even if it is a part of another assessment. If you need an academic assessment in addition to an assessment that may be covered by insurance, we can bill your insurance for the relevant assessment and you would need to pay privately for the additional academic testing and report time. These "add-on" fees are provided below for your convenience. Please contact me directly to discuss your testing needs and options. Academic / Learning Disability Assessment Abbreviated Academic Assessment: $575 (insurance cannot be billed for this) This abbreviated assessment will evaluate academic skills (i.e., reading, spelling, math, etc.), in order to determine areas of strength and weaknesses. This is helpful in knowing what areas may benefit from tutoring or a change in academic plan. This does not include testing of intellectual functioning, and therefore, cannot be used to determine a learning disability. Standard LD Assessment: $1100 (insurance cannot be billed for this) Diagnosis of a learning disability requires an identified weakness in academic skills when compared to intellectual ability. This expanded assessment will include a review of relevant school records, parent and teacher questionnaires, an assessment of intellectual functioning, and an assessment of academic abilities. This evaluation is what is typically included in an academic evaluation. This evaluation may also include a brief screening evaluation of mood or other psychological symptoms if relevant. 1
Add-On Vocational Screening: $150 (insurance cannot be billed for this). This will include an extra self-report vocational measure to determine areas of vocational interest that may be a good match for the individual. Add-On Auditory Processing Screening: $200 (insurance cannot be billed for this as part of a LD assessment but may reimburse a portion of the cost if a diagnosis is made). This will include an extra assessment of auditory processing. Comprehensive LD Assessment: $1900 (insurance cannot be billed for this) Diagnosis of a learning disability requires an identified weakness in academic skills when compared to intellectual ability. This assessment will include a review of relevant school records, parent and teacher questionnaires, an assessment of intellectual functioning, and an assessment of academic abilities. In addition, this comprehensive assessment will include an evaluation of cognitive abilities that may be contributing to learning challenges (i.e., attention, auditory processing, memory, executive functioning, etc.). This may also include an evaluation of adaptive abilities or a brief screening evaluation of mood or other psychological symptoms if relevant. Extensive Assessment to Qualify for Accommodations on Standardized Tests (SAT's, MCAT's, etc.): $2700 and up (insurance cannot be billed for this) This type of assessment is required to demonstrate disability in order to qualify for accommodations on standardized testing due to a learning disability, ADHD, Autism, or other causes. The scope of this assessment goes well beyond the amount of testing and documentation required for a typical evaluation due to the requirements by the governing boards. The actual time and cost may vary depending on reason disability status is being requested. ADD/ADHD Assessment Abbreviated ADD/ADHD Assessment: $575 (This may be covered by insurance) This is a focused assessment of symptoms commonly seen in individuals with ADD/ADHD. This assessment includes a clinical interview, symptom questionnaires, and several different tests to directly evaluate attention skills. This basic assessment may be sufficient to determine if ADD/ADHD is present if there are not other factors that may complicate the diagnosis (i.e., significant mood disorders or other learning problems). This will include extra testing to evaluate current academic skills in order to determine areas of academic strengths and weaknesses. This does not include testing of intellectual functioning, and therefore, cannot be used to determine a learning disability. Add-On Psychoeduc/Learning Dis. Assessment: $600 (insurance cannot be billed for this 2
functioning required to determine the presence of a specific learning disability related to Standard ADD/ADHD Assessment: $975 (This may be covered by insurance) This assessment includes everything listed in the abbreviated assessment, in addition to a direct assessment of some cognitive functions that can be impacted by ADD/ADHD (i.e., memory abilities, executive functions, etc.). This may include a screening evaluation for possible auditory processing disorder or psychological symptoms if relevant. This will include extra testing to evaluate current academic skills in order to determine areas of academic strengths and weaknesses. This does not include testing of intellectual functioning, and therefore, cannot be used to determine a learning disability. Add-On Psychoeduc/Learning Dis. Assessment: $600 (insurance cannot be billed for this functioning required to determine the presence of a specific learning disability related to Autism / Asperger's Disorder Assessment Abbreviated Autism/Asperger's Assessment: $575 (This may be covered by insurance) This is a focused assessment of symptoms commonly seen in individuals with Autism or Asperger's Disorder. This assessment includes a clinical interview with the patient and family members when appropriate, review of history and developmental achievements, symptom questionnaires, and the assessment of social and language functioning based on observations. This basic assessment may be sufficient to determine if Autism or Asperger's Disorder is present if there are not other factors that may complicate the diagnosis (i.e., significant mood or anxiety disorders, possible ADD/ADHD, or other learning problems). Add-On Psychoeduc/Learning Dis. Assessment: $600 (insurance cannot be billed for this functioning required to determine the presence of a specific learning disability related to Expanded Autism/Asperger's Assessment: $975 (This may be covered by insurance) This assessment includes everything listed in the abbreviated assessment, in addition to an assessment of adaptive behaviors, possible testing of social cognition (depending on age), an assessment of intelligence, and a brief assessment of possible co-occurring challenges, such as mood or anxiety disorders, or ADD/ADHD if relevant. 3
This will include extra testing to evaluate current academic skills in order to determine areas of academic strengths and weaknesses. Since intellectual testing is already included in the Expanded Autism Assessment, adding academic testing will allow for a determination of any learning disabilities. IQ & Developmental Assessment IQ Assessment Only: $375 (This may be covered by insurance, depending on purpose) Sometimes there is a need for a determination of IQ or intellectual functioning only. This may be needed to qualify someone for services or to get an overview of basic thinking abilities. IQ & Developmental Assessment: $475 (This may be covered by insurance, depending on purpose). This assessment includes intellectual testing to determine current IQ and overall intellectual abilities. In addition, this assessment will include an assessment of current developmental abilities and/or adaptive skills. This type of assessment is often needed to determine if an individual may need specialized services or supports due to developmental delays. Neuropsychological Assessment Cognitive Screening: $600 (This may be covered by insurance) This is a very brief assessment of areas of cognitive concerns, such as attention, memory, or executive functioning. This assessment includes a clinical interview, review of relevant medical records, and direct assessment of the identified thinking skills. This type of evaluation is most appropriate to identify individuals who might need a longer evaluation, or for individuals who are unable to tolerate longer evaluations due to fatigue, pain, or other medical factors. These brief assessments are also appropriate shortly after sustaining a brain injury or having a stroke. Abbreviated Neuropsychological Assessment: $975 (This may be covered by insurance) This assessment is appropriate when there are straight-forward questions about current cognitive functioning, including the identification of areas of cognitive strengths and weaknesses. This assessment includes a review of relevant records, a clinical interview, a brief screening of psychological functioning, and an evaluation of thinking skills, most often including attention, working memory, learning and recall, processing speed, perceptual abilities, language, and executive functioning. These assessments may be beneficial if someone has a history of concussion, brain injury, stroke, neurological disease or surgery, medical illnesses that may impact thinking skills, treatment that might have cognitive side-effects (i.e., chemotherapy, ECT, etc.), or when there are concerns about cognitive weaknesses that may be related to substance abuse or psychological disorders. Note: A full IQ test or assessment of academic abilities are not included in this evaluation but can be added on (see below). 4
Add-On Psychoeduc/Learning Dis. Assessment: $600 (insurance cannot be billed for this functioning required to determine the presence of a specific learning disability related to Add-On Extensive Psychological Assessment: $300-$500 (This may be covered by insurance). This will include extra psychological testing when there are complex or multiple psychological issues that go beyond the scope of a typical psychological evaluation. Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment: $1500 (This may be covered by insurance) A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is appropriate when a more thorough evaluation of thinking abilities is required to identify current functioning, changes from previous functioning, current areas of strength and functioning, and to clarify diagnosis and recommendations for treatment or services. This assessment includes a comparison against previous assessments if relevant, a review of medical records or other sources of information when relevant, clinical interview with patient and family as appropriate, an assessment of psychological functioning, and an evaluation of thinking skills, most often including attention, working memory, learning and recall, processing speed, perceptual abilities, language, and executive functioning. Full IQ testing is included in this evaluation. This type of assessment may also include an evaluation of selected areas of auditory processing, or ADHD testing if relevant. This assessment may be beneficial if someone has a more complicated history or several factors that may be contributing to difficulties in thinking, such as a history of concussion, brain injury, stroke, neurological disease or surgery, medical illnesses that may impact thinking skills, treatment that might have cognitive side-effects (i.e., chemotherapy, ECT, etc.), or when there are concerns about cognitive weaknesses that may be related to substance abuse or psychological disorders. Academic assessment is not included but can be added on (see below). This will include extra testing to evaluate current academic skills in order to determine areas of academic strengths and weaknesses. Since intellectual testing is already included in the Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessment, adding academic testing will allow for a determination of any learning disabilities. Add-On Extensive Psychological Assessment: $300-$500 (This may be covered by insurance). This will include extra psychological testing when there are complex or multiple psychological issues that go beyond the scope of a typical psychological evaluation. Dementia Assessment Abbreviated Dementia Assessment: $600 (This may be covered by insurance) This is a focused assessment of thinking and behavior difficulties commonly seen in individuals with Dementia. This assessment includes a clinical interview with the patient and family members, a 5
history form usually completed by a family member or caregiver, a review of relevant medical records, and a brief evaluation of thinking skills. This basic assessment is most appropriate for individuals who have been showing a decline in functioning, behavior, or thinking skills. It would not be sufficient for high functioning individuals concerned about some early thinking changes. Expanded Dementia Assessment: $1100 (This may be covered by insurance) This expanded assessment is more appropriate for individuals with some changes in thinking or minor changes in functioning. This evaluation includes a more expansive assessment of thinking skills and psychological factors to determine if the thinking changes may be due to normal aging, depression or other psychological factors, or due to dementia or other medical/neurological issues. The assessment includes a clinical interview with the patient and family if appropriate, a review of history and relevant medical records, an assessment of selected thinking abilities (attention, memory, executive functioning, etc.) and an assessment of psychological issues (depression, anxiety, etc.) that may contribute to thinking problems. Psychological Assessment Abbreviated Psychological Assessment: $575 (This may be covered by insurance if there are psychiatric concerns or a psychiatric history). This is a focused assessment of areas of identified specific psychological concerns, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and so forth. This evaluation includes a clinical interview and the completion of some specific psychological assessments that target the reported psychological concerns. This type of assessment is appropriate for diagnostic purposes for individuals who have been generally high functioning and have specific concerns. This would not be sufficient for individuals with a complex history or who may have several psychological issues that may be impacting functioning. Expanded Psychological Assessment: $750 (This may be covered by insurance) This expanded assessment is more appropriate for individuals with a complex history or who may have several psychological issues that may be impacting functioning. The evaluation will include a more in-depth assessment of psychological functioning through the use of several psychological assessment questionnaires, a comprehensive review of history, and a thorough clinical interview. This evaluation will determine any current psychological diagnoses and recommendations for treatment. This evaluation does not include any testing of intellectual, cognitive, or academic abilities (please refer to neuropsychological evaluations for this). Other Psychological Evaluations: Please contact me directly to discuss costs for psychological evaluations for other purposes, such as clearance for work, clearance for international adoption, or eligibility for services. Please contact me directly to discuss your testing needs and options. I can be reached at 520-404-7553 or drbeldotti@aol.com. You can also visit my website for more information or to fill out a New Patient Form at: www.drbeldotti.com 6