Neurocognitive  Associates, PC

Adult FAQ

  When is a neuropsychological evaluation appropriate for an adult?​

• What are some specific conditions why an adult might be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation?

• What should be brought to the appointment?

• Will the evaluation be covered by my health insurance?

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When is a neuropsychological evaluation appropriate for an adult?​

• When a referral was made by a medical professional or specialist. A physician may recommend a neuropsychological evaluation following a fall, car accident, seizure, or other neurological condition that may affect memory, thinking skills, and/or changes in personality and/or behavior.

• If there is concern regarding the individual’s ability to perform tasks at work or at home

• When family members are concerned about the loss of memory functioning or other thinking skills

• If there are changes or concerns about behavior that affects relationships or a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living

• If there are noticeable personality changes or changes in behavior

• When there are concerns whether an individual can continue to live independently without supervision or make sound financial decisions

• To assist in determining whether an individual is able to return to work following an injury or neurological condition

• If there is a question whether there is a genuine neurological disease process present or whether a patient’s subjective complaints are of a psychological nature

• If concerns linger whether attentional or learning issues persist from childhood and there is concern that these difficulties are limiting success at work or at home​​

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What are some conditions that an adult would benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation?

The following (partial) list provides some common examples:

• Epilepsy

• Dementia (i.e., Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, etc.)

• Stroke (CVA; Cerebral Vascular Accident)

• Traumatic brain injury (ranging from mild concussion to severe head injury)

• Toxic exposure (i.e., carbon monoxide, lead, etc.)

• Pre or post neurosurgical intervention

• Anoxia/hypoxia

• Meningitis

• Encephalitis

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What should be brought to the appointment?

• Eye glasses and/or hearing aid

• Updated medical reports

• List of medications

• A snack or drink (if needed for a span of approximately three hours)

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Will the evaluation be covered by my health insurance?

• Our office does not file health insurance claims; it is solely the responsibility of our clients and their families to research their policy’s eligibility criteria and file their own claims. Our office will provide you with a statement at the conclusion of the evaluation with the necessary codes for you to submit to your insurance carrier.

• Neuropsychological assessment may be covered under the medical coverage of your health insurance plan when your child is referred by a physician for a medically-based problem for which this evaluation is clinically indicated and medically necessary. “Medically necessary” is typically defined as a situation where the referring physician requires the information obtained in the evaluation to assist in guiding the physician to provide appropriate care for your child.

• Neuropsychological assessment is often covered if testing is being conducted to establish a diagnosis as the basis for medical treatment, to evaluate the functional impact of a medical treatment (baseline testing) or to assist in selecting a treatment. For example, for some children, the use of medication may be the best approach when behavior problems occur, while for other children, the use of a behavior plan or psychotherapy is the best approach.

• Most insurance plans will deny coverage for assessment used to establish an educational diagnosis (i.e., learning disabilities). Medical insurance carriers view this as the responsibility of the patient’s school. However, coverage may be provided if the question prompting testing is the relationship of the academic problem to some other medical problem or medical treatment. It is responsibility of the patient and/or their family to clarify this with their insurance carrier.