An ADHD assessment provides answers. It can help you understand your child’s behaviors and illustrate their strengths and weaknesses. It clarifies a diagnosis and provides a clear path forward. But how do you get an ADHD assessment for your child and how can you pay for it?
Thankfully, you have some options. There are 3 ways to receive or pay for an ADHD evaluation: through your child’s school, through insurance, and through private pay. Each option has pros and cons to consider.
ADHD Assessment through your Local School District
First, consider having your child evaluated through your local school district. Whether your child attends private or public school, the school district is required to provide educational evaluations for students who are struggling academically.
Pros:
- Cost: There is no cost for an evaluation through the school district.
- Access: You do not have to find an outside provider or take your child out of school for extended periods of time. This is because all testing can be done at school by school staff.
Cons:
- Qualifying: It may be difficult to get the school to complete an evaluation if your child is doing well enough academically. Schools are only required to provide evaluations for students who qualify based on low academic performance.
- Long wait times: Schools usually have a long process to determine if students qualify for an evaluation. Even once the school approves an evaluation, it may take months to complete.
- Less comprehensive: A school evaluation considers academics and school behavior, but is less likely to take other parts of your child’s life into consideration. A school evaluation might not be able to provide a diagnosis of ADHD.
ADHD Assessment through Insurance
ADHD is a medical diagnosis and so an ADHD assessment may be covered by your insurance provider.
Pros:
- Cost: There is low cost to you or may be paid completely by your insurance.
- Provider list: Check with your insurance for a list of providers who take your insurance in your area.
Cons:
- Access: It is sometimes difficult to find a provider through insurance. Providers may have long wait lists.
- Comprehensiveness: Insurance plans limit what they pay for. Your insurance will likely not cover academic testing or testing for other mental health diagnoses. The evaluation may only be able to determine whether or not a child has ADHD, and not include what else could be going on for your child (ex. learning or emotional problems.)
ADHD Assessment Through Private Pay
Lastly, you have the option of paying out of pocket for an ADHD evaluation. You pay for the evaluation up front but insurance may still cover some or all of the cost of an evaluation. Many providers offer a superbill, which is a receipt that you submit to your insurance. Based on your plan, your insurance may reimburse the full or partial cost for the evaluation.
Pros:
- Choice of provider: Paying out of pocket allows you to choose a provider who will be the best fit for your child’s needs based on location, specialty, availability and your comfort with the provider.
- Comprehensiveness: Your provider can tailor the assessment to answer your specific questions instead of only focusing on what insurance covers. Get all of your questions answered, without the limits of school resources and insurance coverage.
Cons:
- Cost: This may be a more expensive option since you pay up front and there is more uncertainty regarding insurance reimbursement, depending on your plan and deductible.
- Access: You may have to take your child out of school longer to travel to see your provider.
Weighing Your Options
All of these options can be really helpful for getting support for your child. You may decide to check in with school and insurance before deciding whether or not private pay is the right option for your family. Whichever you choose, having more answers and clarity will empower you to advocate better for your child’s needs.
If you would like to discuss which of these options would be the best fit for you or if you are ready to schedule an appointment, please contact us for a free consultation.
