FAQs
If you are considering a neuropsychological evaluation, you may have questions about what testing involves, which conditions can be evaluated, how long the process takes, and what to expect from your appointment.
Via Nova Neuropsychology provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for adults in Dallas and throughout North Texas. The answers below explain the evaluation process, the concerns we assess, and how testing can help guide diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations for everyday life.
What is a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is a psychologist who specializes in understanding the relationship between brain functioning, thinking, memory, emotions, and behavior. Neuropsychologists use specialized psychological and cognitive testing to evaluate how different areas of brain functioning are working and how medical, neurological, or psychological conditions may affect everyday life.
Neuropsychologists commonly evaluate concerns involving memory, attention, executive functioning, processing speed, language, and other cognitive abilities. They may work with individuals experiencing changes related to conditions such as ADHD, traumatic brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, dementia, movement disorders, and other neurological or medical conditions.
A neuropsychological evaluation can help clarify the nature of cognitive concerns, identify areas of strength and difficulty, inform diagnosis, and provide individualized recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, and everyday functioning.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It typically includes a clinical interview, a review of relevant medical and psychological history, and standardized tests designed to measure different aspects of thinking and memory.
Depending on the reason for referral, testing may assess attention, learning and memory, executive functioning, processing speed, language, visual-spatial abilities, and emotional functioning.
Unlike a brief cognitive screening, a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation examines patterns of performance across multiple areas. These findings can help clarify the nature of a concern, inform diagnostic decisions, and guide recommendations tailored to an individual's needs.
Who should get a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation may be helpful for adults experiencing changes in memory, attention, concentration, problem-solving, organization, or other aspects of cognitive functioning.
An evaluation may also be appropriate when someone has a neurological or medical condition that could affect cognition, when symptoms persist following a brain injury or stroke, or when there are questions about whether cognitive difficulties are related to ADHD, mood, stress, sleep, medication effects, or another contributing factor.
Neuropsychological testing can be useful when symptoms are difficult to explain, when diagnostic clarification is needed, or when objective information about cognitive strengths and weaknesses would help guide treatment, rehabilitation, or everyday decision-making.
What conditions can neuropsychological testing evaluate?
Neuropsychological evaluations can help assess cognitive functioning in the context of a wide range of neurological, medical, and psychological conditions.
At Via Nova Neuropsychology, evaluations may address concerns associated with:
ADHD: Attention, concentration, working memory, and executive functioning.
Memory disorders and dementia: Changes in learning, memory, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities, including concerns related to Alzheimer's disease.
Traumatic brain injury and concussion: Cognitive, emotional, and functional changes following brain injury.
Stroke and cerebrovascular disease: Changes in memory, attention, language, processing speed, and executive functioning.
Epilepsy and seizure disorders: Cognitive functioning in the context of seizures and related medical factors.
Movement disorders: Cognitive changes associated with conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
Multiple sclerosis: Cognitive difficulties involving processing speed, memory, attention, and executive functioning.
Other neurological and medical conditions: Cognitive concerns associated with complex medical conditions, anoxic brain injury, spinal cord injury, brain tumors, and other conditions affecting functioning.
The appropriate assessment depends on the individual's symptoms, medical history, and referral questions. Testing does not independently establish every medical or neurological diagnosis, but it can provide valuable information to support diagnostic clarification and care planning.
What does neuropsychological testing assess?
Neuropsychological testing examines multiple areas of cognitive functioning to understand how a person processes information and manages everyday demands.
Depending on the individual's concerns, an evaluation may assess:
Attention and concentration: Sustaining focus, managing distractions, and holding information in mind.
Learning and memory: Learning new information, retaining it over time, and recalling previously learned material.
Executive functioning: Planning, organization, problem-solving, mental flexibility, and self-monitoring.
Processing speed: The speed and efficiency of processing and responding to information.
Language: Verbal expression, comprehension, and other language abilities.
Visual-spatial functioning: Understanding and organizing visual information.
Emotional and behavioral functioning: Psychological factors that may affect cognitive performance and everyday life.
Not every evaluation includes the same tests. The assessment is tailored to the individual's history, symptoms, and specific questions.
How long does a neuropsychological evaluation take?
The length of a neuropsychological evaluation varies depending on the reason for referral, the complexity of the concerns, and the areas being assessed. Comprehensive evaluations take 2-3 hours for the intake and testing.
The process may also include time for reviewing records, interpreting results, preparing a written report, and an hour long feedback appointment to discuss recommendations.
What should I bring to my neuropsychological evaluation?
Bringing relevant information can help your neuropsychologist understand your history and interpret your results in context.
When available, consider bringing:
Relevant medical records and specialist notes.
A current medication list, including dosages.
Previous psychological or neuropsychological evaluation reports.
Relevant brain imaging or neurological testing reports.
Information about your symptoms, when they began, and how they affect daily life.
Referral information or questions from the healthcare professional who recommended the evaluation.
You do not need to gather every possible record before contacting the office. If additional information is needed before your appointment, you can discuss that during scheduling.
What happens after a neuropsychological evaluation?
After testing is completed, the results are interpreted alongside your clinical interview, relevant history, and other available information.
You will receive feedback about the findings, including an explanation of your cognitive strengths, areas of difficulty, and any diagnostic conclusions supported by the evaluation. Recommendations may address medical or psychological follow-up, treatment, cognitive rehabilitation, compensatory strategies, or adjustments to everyday routines and responsibilities.
When appropriate, findings can also help inform communication with your referring provider or other members of your care team.
The goal is not simply to provide test scores, but to help you understand what the results mean and how to use that information moving forward.
Do you take insurance?
Insurance coverage for neuropsychological testing depends on your individual plan, the reason for the evaluation, applicable medical-necessity criteria, and your benefits.
Via Nova Neuropsychology is in network with Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna (Evernorth), and Aetna for eligible neuropsychological evaluation services. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan.
Before scheduling, we can verify your benefits and review the available coverage information with you to help clarify your expected financial responsibility. Although benefit verification cannot guarantee how an insurance company will ultimately process a claim, it can help reduce unexpected costs.
For patients paying out of pocket, superbills are available, and the office can assist with submitting claims to insurance companies as a complimentary service for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
For questions about insurance coverage or evaluation costs, contact info@vianovaneuropsychology.com.
What is your cancellation policy?
We kindly request that you provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients in need of care. Should you cancel before 48 hours and have prepaid for your appt, you will be offered the option to be refunded the fee for service or reschedule without additional payment.
An appointment is considered a no show if the patient is more than 15 minutes late without prior notification. If you fail to attend a scheduled assessment appointment without providing prior notice (i.e., a "no-show"), we will consider it a missed appointment and you will be responsible for the cancellation fee.
In the event of a no-show or cancellation, a fee will be charged for assessment sessions missed without such notification at the rate of $100 per scheduled hour missed (e.g., $200 for a missed 2 hour session). This fee is the responsibility of the patient and is not reimbursed by insurance.
To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our office by phone at [214-506-0435] or email at [cwestbrook@vianovaneuropsychology.com]. If you leave a voicemail, we will confirm your cancellation as soon as possible.
Where Are Neuropsychological Evaluations Offered?
Via Nova Neuropsychology is located in Dallas, Texas, and provides neuropsychological evaluations for adults in Dallas and throughout the surrounding North Texas communities.
Evaluations are individualized based on your concerns, medical history, and referral questions. If you are unsure whether an evaluation at Via Nova Neuropsychology is appropriate for your needs, contact the office to discuss your situation and learn more about available services.
What if my question wasn’t answered?
At Via Nova, we strive to provide personalized care where all patients feel seen and supported. If you have questions that were not answered here, please do not hesitate to reach out to the clinic.