Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:ADHD is often diagnosed with dyslexia. One component of the ADHD is "executive dysfunction", which may not appear as inability to concentrate but tather as difficulty processing incoming information. I would not skip assessment for ADHD even if my main concern was dyslexia. Try to see a neuropsych who will do objective computer-based testing and other standardized measures of attention and executive function as well as ADHD and BRIEF checklists that a regular psychologist would do.
BTW, it is MORE likely that your insurance will cover testing if ADHD testing is done.
Thanks - yes, I was getting the impression that ADHD would be easier to get reimbursed. But how to I ask that question of my insurance company ... I was only given one code for all psychological testing?
Call the tester you are interested in and ask him for 1) possible diagnosis code for ADHD and/or executive dysfunction, and 2) billing codes he would use for the testing linked to ADHD/executive function. You can also ask for the billing codes he would use for the other academic achievement testing. Then call your insurance company and see if they will cover the specific billing codes. Some psychologists will break the # of hours down into number used for ADHD testing and number used for achievement testing if you ask (instead of just one flat fee for "psychological testing"). FWIW, if you get turned down for the "educational testing" part of the psychological testing, you can try appealing and use the argument that it was necessary to do both ADHD and educational testing to make a "differential diagnosis", i.e. that since ADHD and learning disabilities like dyslexia can mimic each other, it is necessary to test for both to make sure that you know if the presenting symptoms are ADHD or something else.