really would like to get some help here...
March 1, 2011 12:25 PM   Subscribe

Where can I get a cheap ADHD evaluation in New York City? Following up on this question.

I have confirmed that my insurance does not cover any non-emergency care outside of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. Sigh. I really really would like to get tested for ADHD-- this feels increasingly urgent. It is not feasible for me to travel to New England for continuing care. It also doesn't make sense (nor can I afford it) to get some other type of health care. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Can someone recommend a place to go? What can I expect to pay? I don't make much more than minimum wage and have been unemployed for a few months. This whole situation is kind of daunting for me and without some leads I feel really lost. The Lenix Hill location someone mentioned in the other question appears to be for children only. Many thanks for your help.
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
NYU has an adult ADHD clinical research unit. You could call them up and see if they'd be of any help.
posted by Ideefixe at 12:41 PM on March 1, 2011


Columbia University Center for Educational and Psychological Services. I've recommended them a lot on AskMe because they are wonderful. And they offer a very generous sliding scale.
posted by decathecting at 1:30 PM on March 1, 2011


What about scheduling the evaluation in New England, where your insurance will cover it? You could then transfer the records to continuing care in NYC.

If you plan ahead (which you'll probably have to do to schedule the evaluation anyway) you can get bus tickets to/from Boston for as little as $1.
posted by Signed Sealed Delivered at 2:39 PM on March 1, 2011


When I was doing this same search, I found this list to be very helpful.

I had an evaluation done at the Adelphi clinic and it was a terrible experience. But ymmv. Eventually I just knuckled down and spent $3,000 (yeah, three freaking thousand dollars) to have a private psychologist do an evaluation.

It's worth noting that you don't have to get a full psychoecucational assessment to get treated for ADD. My actual diagnosis was made by a psychiatrist in a single appointment (cost: $20 copay, or $300 if I hadn't used insurance). If you think you have other learning issues or if you're planning to request accommodations (at school, at work, on a test like the GRE) you'll need a full evaluation. But if all you want to do is start treatment, it will be a lot cheaper to see a psychiatrist who specializes in add.
posted by Sifleandollie at 3:30 PM on March 1, 2011


I'm going to cut and paste my usual response:
Absolutely insist on the use of a CPT (Continuous Performance Test) or a TOVA (Test Of Variables of Attention) in titrating your medication to an appropriate level. Basically, these computerized tests (rather than personal inventories, questionnaires, etc.) test your attention (which has multiple dimensions to it) in an abstract manner.

By adjusting the type, amount, and release pattern of your medication in conjunction with these tests, you can find the best bang for your buck. Too little medication and you're not helped. Too much and you have side effects. These tests can help you find the top of that inverted-U curve and stay there.
It has been a while since I checked, but last I looked, most psychologists were charging under a hundred dollars for a CPT or a TOVA. I used to price them out at fifty bucks, but that was some time back.

At each place you contact, ask if you can get just a CPT or a TOVA. If they do not do those tests, move on to the next place.
posted by adipocere at 5:00 PM on March 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


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