Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations are recommended by referral sources such as physicians, educators, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists and attorneys for any case in which problems in cognitive, behavioral or emotional functions are suspected. A neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of cognitive, behavioral and emotional functions using procedures such as interviews and standardized testing.
Various cognitive and emotional functions may be evaluated including, but not limited to:
• Intelligence
• Problem Solving and Conceptualization
• Planning and Organization
• Attention, Memory, and Learning
• Language
• Academic Skills
• Perceptual and Motor Abilities
• Emotion, Behavior, and Personality
Why have I been referred for a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Your referral source feels that an evaluation would be helpful for many reasons. For instance, it may be important for treatment planning Some medical and developmental conditions change over time, in the ways that they impact brain functioning. As a result, a referral source may want to establish an objective baseline so that any changes in cognitive, behavioral and/or emotional functioning can be tracked over time. The results of a neuropsychological evaluation may guide a referral source in determining if medications would be helpful for a particular patient. The results may also help in decision-making, related to creating rehabilitation programs or in the consideration of disability. For children and adolescents, an evaluation may also be requested to address learning issues and programs for academic and/or emotional support. These are just a few reasons that neuropsychological evaluations are requested.
The following is a list of some of the more common conditions seen for evaluation:
• Problems with Changes in Attention or Memory
• ADHD
• Stroke
• Seizure Disorders
• Learning Disorders
• Alzheimer's
• Cardiac Problems
• Parkinson's Disease
• Huntington's Disease
• Brain Injury
• Cancer / Cancer Treatment
• Emotional Psychiatric/ Behavioral Problems
• Academic Difficulties
• Autism (Our clinicians evaluate children up to the age of 12)
• Brain Injury/ Concussion
• Cancer / Cancer Treatment
• Emotional Problems
What is a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is a psychologist who has obtained two years of specialty
fellowship training in brain-behavior relationships.
How long does a Neuropsychological Evaluation take?
The length of an evaluation depends upon a number of things. These include: the type of referral question; the nature of the condition being evaluated; and the individual being evaluated. Most of our evaluations last about two to three hours.
Are evaluations covered under insurance?
Northeast Neuropsychology is insurance friendly. We accept most commercial insurances for evaluations including medicare, medicaid and HUSKY. There are some circumstances under which evaluations are partially covered by insurances or not covered at all by insurances. For instance, there are some diagnoses that a particular insurance company may not cover for this type of evaluation. In these instances, self-payment for some or all of the evaluation may be necessary. Our team of administrative assistants can help you navigate your insurance benefits. Just give us a call.