Neuropsychological Assessment FAQ

The answer to this question depends on the reason for neuropsychological assessment evaluation, the patient’s medical history, and complexity of the individual case. Appointments generally range in duration from two to five hours. However, some insurance companies require an initial interview before authorizing a neuropsychological evaluation. These appointments (initial interview only) typically last about 30-45 minutes.

Before an appointment for either a clinical interview or a full neuropsychological assessment evaluation, we will ask you to complete online history and registration forms. These forms may be completed directly on our secure web site. Completing these forms in advance will help your doctor prioritize the time you spend in our office.

Our doctors and technicians are experienced in working with people of various ages and from all types of backgrounds. We understand that some people may feel nervous about getting a neuropsychological assessment. We strive to treat our patients with the highest respect and to make each person feel as comfortable as possible. Testing is conducted in a private room with one of our staff. Patients will be asked to complete various tasks that involve thinking and information processing.

For example, one might be asked to name objects, write words on a page, determine if two lines are pointing in the same direction, or learn a list of words. Nearly all of the tasks are presented in oral or written format. There are no needles, machinery, or other unpleasant stimuli. Most people find the tasks to be interesting and feel that they have gotten a good “mental workout.” We also encourage our patients to take breaks when needed.

The purpose of the neuropsychological assessment is to measure the behavior of the human brain as it thinks, learns, and processes information. The resulting data are useful for helping to determine if an individual’s test scores are suggestive of a central nervous system disorder. For example, people are sometimes concerned about their memory. They might be forgetting people’s names or details that used to come to mind easily.

Such experiences might be due to several factors, including normal aging, various medical illnesses, psychological factors, and/or a central nervous system disorder. Neuropsychological assessment will help to understand the scope of the problem (if one exists), its possible causes, and provide guidance for appropriate treatment.

Evaluation results are typically communicated to your referring health care provider within ten business days. Your provider will be able to review the results with you, in addition to findings from other diagnostic tests or procedures you might have undergone. Should you have any questions about your results after meeting with your provider, then we will be happy to assist you.

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In addition, some insurance companies may request a copy of your report or office notes to be utilized in evaluating your insurance claim. Please ask the doctor if you have any questions regarding the limits of confidentiality.

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