Frequently Asked Questions

What are signs that I or a family member needs a neuropsychological assessment?

A neuropsychological assessment diagnoses changes in behavior that are caused by changes in our brain. We all experience changes. It’s when a new behavior that’s worrisome starts and continues. Some examples include:

Forgetting where you left things or forgetting words when you talk
Becoming paranoid about people visiting your home or missing items
Starting to behave aggressively toward loved ones or strangers
Take longer to respond to people during a conversation

What’s the goal of a neuropsychological assessment?

A neuropsychological assessment identifies what might be changing in the brain that’s causing changes in behavior. Once we identify what may be happening, you can get the care needed from appropriate doctors and other support staff.

What can a neuropsychological assessment diagnose?

An assessment can find a wide variety of diagnoses. Some of the more common disorders I see are:

Alzheimer’s dementia
Vascular dementia
Lewy body dementia
Dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism
Other forms of dementia – stroke, traumatic brain injury

Does insurance cover a neuropsychological assessment?

Yes.

Traditional Medicare covers 80% of the cost of one assessment every 12 months. Supplemental insurance covers the rest. Most other insurance carriers also cover assessments. Each carrier’s policies are a little different. I work with most insurance carriers, and I’ll work with you to find a good solution so you can get the assessment you need at terms you can handle.

I take care of all of the insurance paperwork and billing for you.

My loved one is resisting an assessment, but I really feel it’s needed. What can I do?

We see this fairly often. Very few people raise their hand on their own and say “I need an assessment.” When an assessment is scheduled, it’s common for the person to feel resistant or resentful. In this case it’s appropriate to consult with your loved one’s physician and get their opinion. If the doctor agrees that your loved one’s behavior has been changing and agrees that an assessment is needed, then that could help convince your loved one to be okay with the process.

How can I tell if a loved one needs to move into a senior living community?

There are a lot of reasons why it can make sense to move into a senior living community. One sign to watch for that I see is wandering. Wandering behavior can be minimal (wandering around a room), or dangerous (wandering outside the home and into the street). When an individual wanders dangerously, they’re disoriented and believe they’re in a different time and place. If they wander into the street and a car is coming, they might not even notice. In a case like this, moving to a senior living community with a secured area is essential.

How does a neuropsychological assessment work? What do I need to do?

An assessment has two parts:

I interview the patient and a close relative or caregiver by asking questions about the patient’s background
Conduct tests by asking questions, playing games, and other cognitive tasks.

Who sees the results of my assessment?

Only the people authorized by the patient or his/her appointed representative on the completed forms. A referral source would typically receive a copy of the report. This discussion takes place in advance of the testing.

What will be included in the report?

A neuropsychological assessment diagnoses what’s changing in the brain that’s causing behaviors to change. The report outlines everything I find, along with recommendations of doctors and the care the patient might need.

A competency assessment focuses on one question: is this person able to make decisions about their own healthcare or financial matters? I’ll do a comparable assessment, while answering the question at hand.

Compassionate Neuropsychology, LLC

Neuropsychological Assessment with a human touch

Frequently Asked Questions