Pricing

• Before each evaluation, we verify insurance coverage and obtain any necessary pre-authorizations. If your deductible has not been met, some out-of-pocket costs may apply. An invoice will be provided if there are any out-of-pocket costs. Any out-of-pocket payments are applied toward your deductible.
• Brain Bridge Psychological and Behavioral Health is currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare–Optum, Magellan, Partner’s Direct Health, Wellmed, Multiplan, and Ambetter for both neuropsychological and psychological evaluations.
• We are contracted with Medicare to provide assessment services for patients aged 65 and older.
• All billing is processed through our electronic medical record system. For patients with out-of-network insurance, we can provide a superbill and assist with submission to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement.
• Please note that we are not accepting insurance for therapy services at this time.

What is a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of a person’s emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning. It helps identify mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, or personality factors that may be impacting multiple facets of you or your child’s life. The goal is to clarify a person’s emotional well-being, thought patterns, and coping style, leading to an accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment recommendations.

 

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is a specialized type of assessment that focuses on measuring intellectual abilities, attention, executive functioning, processing speed, learning, memory, visual-spatial skills, visual-motor integration, language, and motor coordination. It may also address emotional, social and behavioral functioning. It helps identify strengths and weaknesses when developing recommendations toward future treatment planning.

 

Who needs a psychological or a neuropsychological evaluation?

A psychological evaluation may be recommended for children, adolescents, or adults who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or social challenges that interfere with daily life. You or your child may benefit from a psychological evaluation if there are concerns such as:

• Ongoing anxiety, depression, or mood changes
• Behavioral difficulties, such as defiance, aggression, or emotional outbursts
• Struggles with attention or self-regulation
• Difficulty coping with stress, trauma, or major life changes
• Concerns about personality functioning or the accuracy of a current mental health diagnosis

These evaluations help clarify what may be contributing to emotional or behavioral symptoms and guide effective treatment planning, therapy, or school accommodations.

 
Who Needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is recommended when there are concerns that brain functioning or neurological factors may be impacting learning, thinking, or behavior. You or your child may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation if there are concerns such as:

• Learning difficulties not fully explained by classroom performance or emotional issues
• History of neurological conditions, such as seizures, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or concussion
• Developmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or intellectual disability
• Memory problems, poor organization, or difficulty following multi-step directions
• Decline in cognitive functioning following medical illness, substance use, or aging

Neuropsychological testing provides detailed insight into how different areas of the brain work together and helps inform individualized supports at school, work, or home. 

Testing is more extensive than in a general psychological evaluation and helps determine how cognitive strengths and weaknesses impact everyday functioning, school, or work performance.

 
How are the two types of evaluations different?

While both types of evaluations explore aspects of mental health and behavior, the main difference lies in their focus:

• A psychological evaluation emphasizes emotional and behavioral functioning which is how a person feels and acts.
• A neuropsychological evaluation emphasizes cognitive functioning—how the brain processes information and supports learning and daily activities.

In many cases, both types of evaluations work together to provide a full picture of a person’s mental health and brain functioning, helping guide treatment, educational planning, or medical care.

 

What concerns call for an evaluation?

Any changes in cognitive functioning, including but not limited to, thinking, problem solving, attention, memory, organization/planning, school functioning, depression and/or anxiety.

Common conditions that can impact the brain and call for a neuropsychological evaluation include seizures/epilepsy, brain injury, accident at birth, brain tumor, leukemia, chemotherapy/radiation, stroke or prematurity/low birth weight.

 

What happens during a neuropsychological evaluation? What will my child do during the evaluation? What should I expect at the evaluation?

You or your child will be tested using standardized, evidence-based measures in a one-on-one testing environment with a qualified clinician or psychometrician. The testing will include activities that feel like brain games and can include puzzles, computer tasks, and question-answer format problems. The parent/caregiver is generally not in the room during testing. Parents/caregivers are either emailed questionnaires prior to testing or will complete these while the child/adolescent or adult is testing. The results and recommendations of the evaluation are typically given at the feedback session which can be 1-3 weeks following the evaluation. Finally, you will receive a report in several weeks following the testing date, outlining all of the background history, results, and recommendations.

 
How long will the evaluation last?

Testing time largely depends on the referral question and type of concerns that need to be addressed. On the short end, testing can run approximately 3 hours with minimal breaks. Typically, testing takes 4-6 hours with a lunch break provided. If behavioral concerns are present, testing can be broken up into two separate days.

 
What should be provided prior to the evaluation?

All relevant medical, psychiatric, educational, and/or legal records should be sent prior to the evaluation. Previous evaluations are helpful to review prior to testing. The pediatric or adult questionnaire should be filled out and returned prior to the evaluation date. Please attach a list of all current medications to these questionnaires.

 
What should be brought to the evaluation?

Any prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids, etc. You are welcome to bring snacks and a drink.

 
Should I/my child take medication for the evaluation?

Yes. If you take regular prescription medications, you or your child should continue to take those on the day of testing.

 

If my child is being evaluated, what should I tell them about the evaluation?

You can explain to your child that the testing will look at how their brain works and that all of our brains have parts that work differently. The testing helps identify how they learn best, and the testing will help make school and home life better for them. It is also helpful to remind them that they are not meant to get every question right and the most important thing is to try their best. It is also important to remind them that they are going to a different type of doctor’s office where there won’t be any scary machines or shots.

 

What type of setting is the evaluation provided in?

Testing is conducted in an office that follows a standardized environment free of distractions. For children, the testing may be conducted in a playroom that has a desk suitable for children. This affords an environment where the child can be reinforced by play breaks. 

 

Can I/my child take breaks?

Yes. Breaks are given routinely and as needed. If the testing is anticipated to go past lunch, a lunch break is given anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour.