neuropsychological evaluations

Get a clearer picture of who your child is on the inside, and why.

Skip the clinic commute and regional waitlists. Bend's neuropsychological evaluations help Albany area families understand their child, teen or young adult's strengths, and where they could use more specialized support.
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In-network with most major insurance plans
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Our evaluations can help uncover: 
• Learning disorders
• Neurodiversity
• ADHD
• Academic difficulties
And more
How it works
Clinical Intake
We'll get to know you and your child and answer your questions about testing.
Evaluation
Your child completes age-appropriate questions, assessments, and tasks virtually, all from the comfort of a familiar environment.
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Comprehensive results & roadmap.
You'll receive a comprehensive, insightful evaluation report you can use to understand and advocate for your child.
"I was feeling so apprehensive about getting the right help, but now I feel so relieved just having had this 30 minute session with you."
Parent
Care Team: BCM, Coach, Therapist
“It’s been very convenient and I’ve also seen results. Bend Health has been a life saver for us.”
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—Terralon
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Mother of 12 year old
"I feel like myself again."

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Member, Age 15
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Care Team: BCM, Coach, Therapist, Psychiatric ProviderParent

Bend Health is in-network with leading insurance plans for neuropsychological testing across the Albany area, including:
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• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NY,
• NYS Empire Plan,
• UnitedHealthcare,
• Optum,
and more!

Your health insurance plan may not cover all services offered by Bend Health. Our team will verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Get clear answers in weeks not months..
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Frequently Asked Questions
about Neuropsychological Evaluations
Does Bend Health offer services outside the United States?

No. At this time, we’re only able to provide care and testing services to families who reside in the United States.

Who might benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation?

Neuropsychological evaluations can help evaluate children and young adults who may be experiencing difficulties with learning, attention, memory, behavior, or emotions. Currently, Bend Health can provide testing for ages 2 to 25. 

For those unsure about whether to proceed with testing, at the Neuropsychological Clinical Intake appointment, the practitioner will carefully consider the child's age, developmental level, and individual needs and share a recommendation about whether testing is appropriate.

What conditions does neuropsychological testing identify? 

Conditions that may be diagnosed through neuropsychological evaluation include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury, and emotional or behavioral disorders.

Who is NOT appropriate for neuropsych testing at Bend Health?

Neuropsychological testing can help uncover underlying abilities. But if you or your child has an acute or severe medical or behavioral concern, it's important to address these needs first. The following list provides an overview of when neuropsych testing is not appropriate:

Substance Use Issues

Individuals undergoing detox for alcohol (e.g., those who are physically dependent on alcohol and are undergoing a medically supervised withdrawal process) or for opioids and other illicit drugs may not be suitable for testing until the substances are fully cleared from their system. Detoxification is typically a process of safely managing withdrawal symptoms and allowing the body to rid itself of alcohol or other substances, and this process should be completed before proceeding with neuropsychological testing. 

Testing should ideally occur when the individual is substance-free to provide the most accurate reflection of their cognitive abilities. If the individual is not going through detox and has consumed alcohol, they should ideally be sober for 48–72 hours. For individuals who use tobacco or vape, it is recommended that individuals refrain from using tobacco or vaping for at least 24 hours prior to testing to ensure that they are as close to their baseline cognitive state as possible. 

Severe Psychotic Symptoms

Individuals experiencing active, severe psychotic symptoms, such as command hallucinations or severe thought disorganization, may find it challenging to engage in cognitive testing. It's essential to stabilize mental health prior to proceeding with neuropsychological assessment. Testing may not be suitable for individuals who are actively psychotic and unable to engage in the testing process.

Severe Cognitive Impairment

Individuals with severe intellectual disability or neurocognitive disorders, especially those with significant memory or functioning difficulties, may require specialized assessments outside the scope of neuropsychological testing. For severe intellectual disability, testing may not be appropriate if an individual is nonverbal, has minimal engagement, or has very limited cognitive functioning. However, individuals from neurological clinics or those with developmental disabilities who can engage in some aspects of testing or whose condition can be understood through caregiver reports and observations may still be suitable for testing.

Eating Disorders

Individuals with severe eating disorders, especially those with a BMI less than 18 due to an eating disorder, may not be suitable for testing at the moment. Addressing their nutritional needs is essential before proceeding with cognitive assessments.

Court-Ordered Evaluations & Legal Issues

We do not conduct court-ordered evaluations or provide testimony in legal proceedings. If legal issues or child protection matters are involved, we will not be able to proceed with testing. External stressors from legal situations may impact cognitive functioning, and virtual assessments may not capture the nuances of an individual's condition in such contexts.

Complex Custodial Situations

Individuals in complex custodial situations—such as ongoing legal disputes or high levels of conflict between caregivers who share joint custody—may experience additional stressors that could affect cognitive performance during testing. Such situations may introduce difficulties in accurately capturing cognitive functioning, particularly in a virtual format.  

Who conducts a neuropsychological evaluation?

The Bend Health team includes a team of professionals who work together to evaluate your child thoroughly. This includes psychometrists, licensed behavioral health practitioners, psychologists, neuropsychologists, and psychiatrists.

What will my child be asked to do during the testing?

Your child will be tested using different techniques one-on-one with a provider. Depending on your child's specific needs, the testing may include puzzles to solve, game-like activities, computer tasks, question-answer tasks, and paper-pencil tasks.

For toddlers and younger children who may have difficulties interacting one-on-one, your child's testing may involve the provider interviewing you directly, observing interactions between you and your child, and you completing standardized rating forms.

How long does testing take?

At Bend Health, neuropsychological testing is completed in two to three sessions of two to four hours each. The ultimate schedule for your child’s testing will be based on your specific needs and circumstances. 

Completing testing across several shorter sessions - instead of in a single full-day session - ensures your child is fully engaged. We want to meet your child at their best, to understand both where their strengths lie, and areas where they might need more support. The best way to do this is to ensure your child is fresh and rested.

How long will it take to receive my report?

The turnaround time to receive your report is approximately two to four weeks after the first testing session. However, there are a number of factors that can impact the report completion, including receiving timely paperwork from previous evaluations and school.

Will someone help me understand the results of the assessment?

Yes. Once the report is complete, we will send you the results along with detailed feedback to help you understand the recommendations. In some circumstances, the assessment team can also be involved in future IEP meetings to discuss the results. The Bend team can be reached any time at neuro@bendhealth.com for additional questions.

What happens after a clinical intake appointment?

Your child’s clinical intake session provides critical information for understanding whether or not your child would benefit from a full neuropsychological evaluation. 

If it’s determined a full neuropsychological test is appropriate for your child, we will submit the information gathered over to a Bend practitioner for review, as well as schedule your child for the next portion of the evaluation.

If it’s determined that a full neuropsychological evaluation with Bend is not appropriate for your child, we will provide recommendations for alternative evaluations or interventions to better address their current needs. 

We’re committed to providing comprehensive and individualized assessments that will guide you toward the best course of action for your child’s development and well-being.

How much does a neuropsychological evaluation cost?

At Bend Health, testing is offered at a tiered rate dependent upon the type of evaluation(s) needed. This is also inclusive of corresponding final reporting, video feedback from the neuropsychologist, and coordination with the patient’s school (if applicable). Please reach out to our team at (800) 516-0975 for questions about tiered, out-of-pocket rates.

Costs for both the clinical intake appointment and neuropsychological testing are not covered under an existing Bend Health enrollment that you may have through your health system or pediatric provider. 

Bend is in-network with a number of health insurance plans. However, not all policies will cover testing. In this case, Bend can offer a superbill so you can submit for reimbursement as allowed by your plan. The superbill will be provided after testing is complete, and you will need to pay all testing fees upfront.

Does Bend Health accept insurance for a neuropsychological evaluation?

Bend is in-network with a number of health insurance plans. However, not all policies will cover testing. In this case, Bend can offer a superbill so you can submit for reimbursement as allowed by your plan. The superbill will be provided after testing is complete, and you will need to pay all testing fees upfront.

How does virtual testing compare to in-person testing?

It may be hard to imagine how such an in-depth evaluation could be done remotely; however, many of the validated tests and assessments have been validated and approved to be used remotely.  In some cases, virtual testing is actually preferable because kids can complete testing from an environment they are comfortable in, and testing can more easily be scheduled over several days.

The Bend Health approach includes  a series of tests and measures validated for a virtual testing environment. We aim to provide the same gold-standard experience you would experience in a traditional in-person setting.

Can neuropsychological testing support getting an IEP or other accommodations at school?

This is one of the most common reasons parents and caregivers seek neuropsychological assessments. Many school systems require a definite diagnosis to approve accommodations like those defined in an IEP. Many factors influence the outcome of the evaluation, and it’s important to understand that every child tested does not necessarily receive a diagnosis. 

Regardless of whether there is a diagnosis, we will provide a list of recommendations and information to help your child reach their full potential at home and in school. Additionally, please be aware that each school has its own specific guidelines and cutoff points for allowing accommodations or IEP approval.