I’m paying for the low deductible insurance at my company (higher cost, supposed to be better benefits). I made an appointment for diagnostic assessment at the beginning of the year, their next available appointment was SEPTEMBER 30. They called me yesterday with the estimated cost to me after insurance (I mean nice that they do that but you’ll see why…) It’s going to cost me $800.
Yeah ok. Guess I’ll just remain self-diagnosed.
It’s frustrating that an assessment is so expensive. And the psychologist will probably only get reimbursed for 4hrs of testing so your report will be short and cursory anyway… I’ll avoid going on a long angry insurance rant here.
Do you have any Universities near you? See if they have graduate psychology programs. Those students need people to practice giving assessments to and are supervised well. They usually give assessments for very cheap because it’s a training program.
I do, that’s a good idea. I’ll look into it. Thanks
I just went to see my PCP this week about what I suspect is ADHD and she referred me to a psychiatrist to be assessed, but also told me the wait could be quite long so she also told me about an online assessment option. As it turns out, the psychiatrist was out of network, but the scheduling lady on the phone told me the cash/non-insurance price was $250. So you might ask about that non-insurance price (I’m sure they could do a payment plan, too even if it is more expensive if that makes it easier for you). I would have had to wait until december for the next availability, so I did the online option that my PCP recommended (adhdonline.com) and it was $180 and I’m awaiting results now.
Edit: got my results back less than 24 hours later (estimated time was 5 days) with a diagnosis of adhd and depression. They faxed the diagnosis to my PCP and now I’m going to meet with her to talk about treatment.
I had a similar experience. The Psychiatric NP that my PCP referred me to told me that id skipped a step, but that there was an easy fix. She then told me about adhdonline. Questionnaire took a few hours, but I got a result on Tuesday after finishing it on a Friday evening. Charge was $180.
A little late to this but, depending on your goals for obtaining an official diagnosis, you may not need to get an assessment. When I was diagnosed I had originally started seeing a therapist who referred me to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist asked me some questions and diagnosed me through an interview and was able to prescribe based on that. I’m sure this varies between states.
Eventually I had to go through diagnostic testing, but only to get testing accommodations for school.
Does your job also provide an FSA? We ended up going that route for me. $900 was my difference.
I contribute to an FSA but my job does not bc they’re dumb in that regard, so I should have some funds in there as I haven’t been going to therapy all year basically despite thinking I would be and planning my contributions to include a copay for that. Buy I still think it will be several hundred out of pocket which I’m not sure I’ll be able to do as my savings got decimated this spring. I’m mostly just enraged that this isn’t covered more by insurance and it’s kicking my justice sensitivity rage into gear. I figured posting might be illustrative for those seeking a diagnosis and or those complaining about the rate of self diagnosis.
Heard, and understood. I hope things start to go better for in this area.
Call your company’s benefits coordinator if they have one. You might have a mental health benefit separate from your medical plan, and if not they can help you look for other options.
I’m not being the change I want to see in the world for sure when I say this but I’m definitely scared to be “out” in any way regarding mental health struggles at work. The closest I’ve gotten is talking about anxiety and stress burnout, which I’ve been very careful to do in corporate-speak. I just feel like I can’t risk being seen as “at risk” of not being able to handle my work, even if that means I’m more at risk of that happening than if I was actually being supported. 😭
“Never trust HR” is a good policy. I keep my health to myself at work as well. I don’t need special treatment or accommodations, and I’m not working in a field where my meds would be a concern.
However you don’t need to go into detail. If you want to be completely discreet, ask for another copy of the HR benefits plan, then look through it yourself to see if you have separate mental health services coverage or a counseling hotline.
Once you’re talking to any insurers or care providers then HIPAA (assuming you’re in the US) takes over and your privacy is assured.
And like someone else said, set up an FSA if you haven’t already. It’s free money and makes high deductible plans sting less.
But worst comes to worst, you have to pay $800. That’s a decent amount of money. But think of it as an investment in yourself. You’ll see that $800 back when you feel less stressed about work and find it easier to advance in your career.
Replied to someone else, but wanted to make sure you saw the info. The Psych NP that I saw told me to use adhdonline.com. The questionnaire took a few hours. Result took about 2 business days. Cost was $180. I started on concerta the next day.
Wow thank you
I waited 9 months and spent over $1000 and we allegedly have public healthcare in my country.
It was worth it though, I reckon I’ve saved that money back in a year just from reduced manic spending.
