Getting ADHD testing: where and $?

[Anonymous]

I’d like to have my teen son tested as soon as possible. Is this the sort of thing that has massive waitlists to be seen? Will travel. Any idea on the cost? Assuming it won’t be covered through my husband’s federal health plan, but we can hope. The bigger issue is getting tested soon and not months from now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d like to have my teen son tested as soon as possible. Is this the sort of thing that has massive waitlists to be seen? Will travel. Any idea on the cost? Assuming it won’t be covered through my husband’s federal health plan, but we can hope. The bigger issue is getting tested soon and not months from now.

If you're fine paying out of pocket, you can likely get testing done in Feb. We just booked comprehensive testing for dyslexia and ADHD at Mindwell in Chantilly for early Feb. Our testing runs ~$2500 but testing just ADHD might be less. Depending on if you have any out of network insurance coverage, you will probably get a couple hundred back. There are lots of other private practices that test for ADHD as well .. we just go to Mindwell because of their experience with dyslexia.

If you book with Children's National, which would be covered by insurance except for the copay, you're looking at around 9-10 months out right now.

[Anonymous]

OP if you want a comprehensive Neuro-Pych evaluation then be prepared to pay $3500-$4000.

This is standard in the DC area. We've had DS evaluated twice, but two different psychologists. They were both in that price range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like to have my teen son tested as soon as possible. Is this the sort of thing that has massive waitlists to be seen? Will travel. Any idea on the cost? Assuming it won’t be covered through my husband’s federal health plan, but we can hope. The bigger issue is getting tested soon and not months from now.

If you're fine paying out of pocket, you can likely get testing done in Feb. We just booked comprehensive testing for dyslexia and ADHD at Mindwell in Chantilly for early Feb. Our testing runs ~$2500 but testing just ADHD might be less. Depending on if you have any out of network insurance coverage, you will probably get a couple hundred back. There are lots of other private practices that test for ADHD as well .. we just go to Mindwell because of their experience with dyslexia.

If you book with Children's National, which would be covered by insurance except for the copay, you're looking at around 9-10 months out right now.

Oh .. I mis-remembered last time we did this it was $2500 after partial reimbursement from insurance.

[Anonymous]

This place was on our insurance and had no wait.
Dr. Henley in Springfield VA.

Cost out of pocket was about $300. We were happy with it. 6 hours of testing over 3 two hour testing periods plus an initial meeting and a followup with the psychologist. Back to pediatrician for meds.

[Anonymous]

We are in the process of neuropsych testing (in Columbia, MD.) Was able to get an appt within 2 weeks and is costing $3150.

[Anonymous]

Wow! I had no idea. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Quince Orchard Psychotherapy does the testing and it's covered by several insurances. I paid $360 out of pocket for the educational aspect, which insurance did not cover. But there is a waiting list.

It's in Germantown, Gaithersburg, and Frederick.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Suzi Muir McLean

[Anonymous]

This thread is so sad. These doctors are making a killing by giving parents the diagnosis they want to hear and putting these poor kids on med that will impact their bodies the rest of their life. Medicated America. Very very sad.

Then we wonder why we as a nation are facing an Opioid crises. We are over medicated as a society, and self soothing via medication becomes the norm at such an early age, because of parents like the OP, who insists something must be wrong with their child, and only medication can fix it. This has to stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so sad. These doctors are making a killing by giving parents the diagnosis they want to hear and putting these poor kids on med that will impact their bodies the rest of their life. Medicated America. Very very sad.

Then we wonder why we as a nation are facing an Opioid crises. We are over medicated as a society, and self soothing via medication becomes the norm at such an early age, because of parents like the OP, who insists something must be wrong with their child, and only medication can fix it. This has to stop.

You know what is sad? People who think something is not a problem just because it is not a problem that they have. And who shame and judge parents who are often dealing with extraordinarily difficult situations and trying to do the best they can for their kids. You are exactly why parents who have kids with ADHD and mental health conditions don't share and reach out to other parents and why the stigma of these conditions continues.

[Anonymous]

Family Compass in Reston. $3000.

It has given us the tools we do desperately needed. I wish we had done it two years ago.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you, thank you, to all of you who have reached out to help me. Very much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is so sad. These doctors are making a killing by giving parents the diagnosis they want to hear[b] and putting these poor kids on med that will impact their bodies the rest of their life. Medicated America. Very very sad.

Then we wonder why we as a nation are facing an Opioid crises. We are over medicated as a society, and self soothing via medication becomes the norm at such an early age, because of parents like the OP, who insists something must be wrong with their child, and only medication can fix it. This has to stop.

Are you this suspicious and cynical about everyone? Or just doctors?

[Anonymous]

Or, talk to your pediatrician. Ours gave us and DCs teachers (13 year old at the time) the Vanderbuilt exam, we all handed it in independently, and BINGO. And, FREE.