Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dr. Palumbo offer a complimentary consultation?

Dr. Palumbo provides complimentary 20 minute phone consultations. She would be happy to speak with you regarding any questions you may have about the assessment process or her practice.

Will my insurance cover the cost of the assessment?

Dr. Palumbo does not take insurance and is considered an out-of-network provider by most insurance companies. However, upon request, Dr. Palumbo would be happy to provide you with an itemized bill ("superbill") with information such as the services provided and corresponding CPT codes. You may then submit the superbill to your insurance carrier for possible reimbursement. Note: there is no guarantee that the insurance carrier will reimburse your claim; please check with your carrier to consult directly about the reimbursement process. Please be aware that health insurance companies typically do not reimburse for assessments that are strictly academic/
educational in scope since they may not be considered medically necessary.

How much does an evaluation cost?

Intake appointments are a flat rate of $225.00.

Evaluations are individualized and tailored to your specific needs; typically, costs can range between a total of $2,500 and $6,000.

You will receive an estimate of what your evaluation will cost in total after the intake appointment. The estimate will depend on the time and tests needed to:

Get to know you,
Review past records,
Consult with other members of your treatment team and/or family,
Administer tests,
Score tests,
Integrate and interpret your test data
Come to accurate diagnostic conclusions,
Generate personalized interventions/recommendations based on your unique data,
Communicate test results to you during the feedback appointment,
Write a comprehensive summary of results tailored to you,
Complete any additional paperwork for school, work, DDDS, or other setting,

Each evaluation is customized to your specific goals – Dr. Palumbo uses information from the intake appointment to recommend only the tests that you really need.

When and how do I pay?

A standard payment plan for assessment has three payments:

The intake fee is due at start of the intake appointment.

The first 50% of the total cost of the evaluation is due at the start of the first testing appointment.
The second 50% of the total cost of the evaluation is due at the time that feedback has been complete and the written report summary is shared with you.

A modified payment plan can be arranged through CareCredit, which will break the total cost of the evaluation down into 6 or 12 month payments, with a start/enrollment date at time of the first testing appointment.

How do I submit a superbill to my insurance company?

Please contact your insurance company directly with questions about how to use your out-of-network benefits using a superbill.

How should I prepare for the assessment?

It is important for clients to attend testing sessions feeling well-rested and well-nourished. You may bring snacks and water to the sessions. Dr. Palumbo will let you know in advance if there are any records or paperwork she would like you to bring. However, it can be helpful to get a head start by putting together important educational (e.g., report cards, IEPs), medical (e.g., imaging or neurophysiological studies, such as MRI or EEG), and psychological (e.g., past assessment reports) records whenever they are available.

How quickly can you complete my evaluation?

Generally, the testing process can take 6-12 weeks to complete from start to finish depending on a number of factors.

Typically, Dr. Palumbo can accommodate an initial intake appointment within 1-2 weeks of initial contact. The first testing appointment may be scheduled anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks later depending on availability and patient flexibility with scheduling. It usually takes another 2-3 weeks to prepare for a feedback appointment and finish written documentation after all of the data is collected.

Sometimes evaluations can be accommodated on a quicker timeline, but this is subject to expertise and availability. Please let Dr. Palumbo know if you have a strict timeline for evaluation when you complete your new-patient inquiry.

Are weekend appointments available?

Appointments are typically scheduled on weekdays. Occasionally, weekend appointments can be arranged for exceptional circumstances.

How do I receive my results?

Dr. Palumbo will always schedule a feedback appointment with you to verbally communicate the results and give you an opportunity to ask questions about the findings and recommendations.

A comprehensive written summary will be released to you through our Patient Portal shortly after feedback. In some cases, more time will be needed to add additional information or resources to your written summary based on things that come up at the feedback appointment. Dr. Palumbo strives to have written results to you in a timely manner.

No written reports will be released without first completing a verbal feedback appointment. All payments must be receive in full before written report summaries can be released.

Can a private assessment such as those provided by Dr. Palumbo be used to request an IEP or 504 Plan at a public school district?

Yes! A private assessment that documents a particular diagnosis or functional impairment can provide evidence of a disability. The school district is required by law to consider the results and provide appropriate supports for your child. Dr. Palumbo's comprehensive assessments cover the core cognitive and academic areas relevant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as the current science. As such, assessments can provide information about a student that school districts may overlook, and lay the groundwork for requesting supports through a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP).