FAQs
For many, the process of initiating a neuropsychological evaluation is new and can be confusing. Here are some questions you might have, and the answers to them.
What is the first step in getting an evaluation?
Call or email Dr. Douglas to discuss if an evaluation is appropriate. Maybe your school recommended an evaluation, or maybe this is a process you have been considering on your own. Either way, a discussion will be helpful in understanding the process, what it entails, and what you can expect from it.
How long does the process take, from start to finish?
In total, the process takes 3-4 weeks. Once Dr. Douglas has collected all data and finished meeting with your child, it will take up to two weeks for a formal feedback session to be scheduled. During this meeting, results from the evaluation will be reviewed, recommendations provided, and next steps discussed. About one week after that, the formal, written report will be sent to you.
How much time does my child spend in your office?
Typically, the evaluation can be finished in between two and three testing sessions. Each session lasts around 6 hours, with plenty of breaks and lunch built into the day. Sometimes, students fatigue before a full testing day is done; this is totally fine. It is more important that accurate results are obtained than the evaluation is rushed, and yield inaccurate results.
Does my child need to miss school?
Typically, yes, though weekend appointments are often available. Schools are quite accommodating when students miss class for an evaluation. If requested, Dr. Douglas can provide a note verifying why the child missed school.
Will my insurance company pay for this?
The amount of insurance reimbursement depends on a number of factors, most important of which is your particular plan. To find out about insurance reimbursement, you should contact your insurance company and ask for the out-of-network reimbursement rate for a neuropsychological evaluation (procedure codes 90791, 96136, 96137, 96132, 96133). Dr. Douglas will be in contact with your insurance company and complete the necessary paperwork they require to process your reimbursement.
Do you work with my child's school?
While the family is Dr. Douglas' direct client, she is more than happy to communicate with the school in an effort to best understand your child's functioning. In fact, Dr. Douglas requests to speak with teachers, have them complete their own set of forms, and sometimes will conduct a classroom observation (if the school agrees, and all believe it to be necessary).
Is the evaluation confidential?
The evaluation and its results are fully confidential. Even when Dr. Douglas is given consent to speak with your child's teachers to collect information that will be used in the evaluation, the school will only be given the evaluation if you decide to share it. (It is highly advised that you do so.) Dr. Douglas does not communicate the assessment results to anybody other than your family.