Question 1

HOW MUCH DOES AN ASSESSMENT COST? DOES INSURANCE COVER IT?

Accepted Answer

Portage Psychology is an out-of-network provider, which means that we do not bill insurance directly. We provide the documentation necessary for you to submit for out-of-network reimbursement.

Most insurance companies do not cover psychoeducational testing, though some insurance companies offer partial reimbursement for our services, depending on diagnosis and your benefits. We encourage you to check with your insurance to see what is covered by your plan.

The cost of an assessment depends on the questions you want answered and the assessment package that is right for you. We know that learning evaluations are expensive, and we work hard to offer services that families can afford. Contact us to discuss what you are looking for and we can quote you a one-time fee that will include all aspects of the evaluation.

Half the cost of the assessment is due on the day of testing, and the second half is due prior to the feedback session and report being delivered to you.

Question 2

WHAT DOES THE TESTING PROCESS INCLUDE?

Accepted Answer

30-minute free consultation to determine questions you want answered and if we can help

90-minute diagnostic interview to gather background information and history

Review of previous testing results (if applicable)

4-8 hours of testing (depending on needs and assessment package)

Information gathering using questionnaires and behavior checklists

15-25 page report that includes testing results, diagnosis, and recommendations

Redacted reports (if desired) for child and for school, with only relevant and helpful information included

90-minute feedback session with parents to discuss testing results and recommendations

30-minute feedback session with child to highlight strengths and explain recommendations

Additionally, the following services can be added on, charged on an hourly basis:

School observation (if applicable)

Meeting with teachers at school to share recommendations, collaborate on strategies, and answer questions (if applicable)

Question 3

WHAT DOES THE TESTING DAY LOOK LIKE?

Accepted Answer

Most assessments can be completed in one day

Drop off between 8:00 and 9:00 and pick up between 12:00 and 4:30, depending on assessment package

30 to 60-minute break for lunch during a longer testing day (send lunch with your child or pick them up to go out to lunch)

Breaks throughout the testing day as needed

Testing includes brain games, puzzles, academic tasks, problem solving, and diagnostic interview

Testing with older children usually works best without a caregiver present. If your child has difficulty separating, we will work together on how to handle drop off.

Question 4

HOW LONG DOES THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS TAKE?

Accepted Answer

We know that once you decide to reach out for help, you don’t want to wait. We work hard to ensure scheduling and report turn-around are timely and efficient.

Depending on your schedule, we can usually complete the testing process in 2-3 months from start to finish, the day you call to feedback session.

Most testing can be scheduled within 6-12 weeks

Feedback sessions typically scheduled within roughly 3 weeks of testing

You will receive a draft of the report on the day of your feedback session or shortly thereafter

Question 5

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ASSESSMENT PACKAGE IS RIGHT?

Accepted Answer

We can help! We understand that it may be hard to know what kind of assessment you're looking for. Our free 30-minute consultations help us gather enough information to make a recommendation on what kind of testing would be helpful.
 
Once testing begins, we sometimes uncover additional pieces of the picture that would benefit from further exploration. If so, we will discuss whether it makes sense to add additional tests that to give us a more thorough understanding of your child's situation.

Question 6

WHAT KIND OF TESTS DO YOU ADMINISTER?

Accepted Answer

The specific battery of tests we use depends on the questions you want answered and the assessment package you have chosen (with our guidance).

Options include:

Intellectual/cognitive ability

Social/emotional functioning

Adaptive functioning

Academic achievement

Executive functioning

Memory and learning

Attention and focus

Auditory processing

Sensory processing

Mental health and personality

Career and academic interest inventories

Question 7

DO YOU PROVIDE TELEHEALTH SERVICES?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic interviews and feedback sessions may be held in person or via telehealth (using HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing). Testing must take place in person.

We follow CDC guidelines and take seriously our role in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

Question 8

DO YOU SERVE ADULTS?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Psychoeducational and neurocognitive testing can be very helpful for adults who struggle with attention, functioning at work, task completion, organization, relationships with significant others and family members, and emotional dysregulation.

Often, young adults may have struggled with learning, memory, or relationships for some time, but it was not until college or entering the work world that it became severe enough to figure out the cause. We tailor our recommendations to help adults succeed in college, at work, or in relationships.

Question 9

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TESTING?

Accepted Answer

Within approximately three weeks of your child's testing, we will meet with you to share our report and explain the results in clear and understandable language.

Included in any assessment package at Portage Psychology, we also provide a child-friendly version of our report and meeting with your child, if you'd like, to help them understand their strengths and how they learn best.

Also included in any assessment package is a school version of the report, with only relevant and helpful information included. Additionally, some families opt to pay an additional fee for us to come to school, meet with teachers to share recommendations, collaborate on strategies, and answer questions.

Question 10

DO YOU OFFER THERAPY?

Accepted Answer

While we do not offer long-term therapy, we do offer short-term (1-3 session) coaching to help you adapt to a diagnosis, to suggest resources, to brainstorm academic/occupational strategies, and to problem-solve working with school personnel, co-workers or family members.

Question 11

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? HOW DO I SCHEDULE?

Accepted Answer

Contact us to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. We love questions and are happy to help! Even if we don’t end up working with your child, with over 20 years of combined experience working in mental health and education in the Twin Cities, we may be able to point you in the right direction.

If you’re ready to schedule, get in touch. We look forward to working with you!

HOW DOES PORTAGE PSYCHOLOGY HELP?