New Patients

What To Expect

Our evaluations are done over the course of 3 appointments, as follows:

1^st appt: One-hour initial interview. We will obtain a thorough history and more information about your current concerns. These appointments can be conducted via videoconferencing or in person.

2^nd appt: Full testing day from 9 am to 3 pm. Typically, 5-6 hours total; 2-3 hours in the morning, a one-hour lunch break from 12-1 pm, then a few hours in the afternoon, ending around 3 pm. (This day will be shorter for children in early elementary school or younger)

3^rd appt: One-hour feedback meeting. During this appointment, the results of the evaluation will be explained, and recommendations will be provided. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions. These appointments can be conducted via videoconferencing or in person.

The final report will outline the findings, provide an analysis of the scores, and provide recommendations for treatment and support. You will receive the final written report via a secure email portal about 2 weeks after your feedback appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kirk NBH provide brief, focused evaluations or screenings?

We do not provide brief evaluations or screenings because we have found that they are not effective in identifying all of the factors that are contributing to an individual's difficulties. There is a high degree of overlap among learning, behavioral and social/emotional concerns and often brief evaluations only identify one part of the problem. We frequently hear from people who have completed brief evaluations and are discouraged that the difficulties continue to persist. We want to make sure that you get what you need from an evaluation the first time.

Why should I pursue a neuropsychological evaluation?

We realize that you have a lot of options when it comes to finding help for your student. We frequently see children who have been misdiagnosed and have participated in ineffective treatments. That is why we feel it is important to have a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a fellowship-trained clinical neuropsychologist. Evaluations for learning, attention and social/emotional/behavioral concerns involve more than just a series of tests. Test results are only helpful when interpreted in context by a highly trained and qualified clinician.

How is this different from a school psychological evaluation?

While school professionals may administer tests to measure a student’s response to interventions, they do not typically make a formal diagnosis. Rather, school psychologists make the determination whether or not a student qualifies for special education services. A neuropsychological evaluation is conducted by a licensed psychologist who has completed additional specialized training in the field and can conduct a more broad-based assessment, to determine all the factors that might be contributing to a student’s struggles.

How is a neuropsychological evaluation different from a speech and language evaluation?

While speech and language evaluations may identify learning disorders, they cannot diagnose attention disorders like ADHD or mood and anxiety concerns that may be contributing to an individual’s struggles.

Will my insurance cover a neuropsychological evaluation?

We are no longer in network with most insurance carriers because they typically do not cover evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder. While they may cover some of the assessment, they limit the amount of time spent on the evaluation and even the tests administered. Because of these limitations, we found that many families were not getting what they needed from in-network providers. With a comprehensive, broad-based evaluation, we can assess all areas of functioning to determine what factors are contributing to a person’s struggles and how to best support them.

Financial Information

Kirk NBH is in network with Kaiser. You will need to request a referral from your pediatrician or primary care physician and then Kaiser will determine authorization. We can schedule an interview appointment once authorization is received.

For all other insurance companies, our services are considered out of network. Kirk NBH charges an hourly rate for the time devoted to the assessment. The cost of the evaluation will be discussed during the initial phone contact and is dependent on the referral questions, age, and whether or not previous testing has been completed through the school or other providers. Payments are broken up into 3 transactions (1 at each appointment) and we accept cash, personal checks, HSA/FSA and all major credit cards except American Express and Discover.

Your medical insurance may provide out-of-network coverage for the neuropsychological evaluation. We provide itemized statements that include all the information you need to submit a claim to your insurance or to utilize funds from your HSA or FSA for all of the charges associated with the evaluation, rather than just a portion of it. We can also assist with obtaining prior authorization for the assessment if needed.