Why Seek Assessment?

Many learning disorders, ADHD, and clinical issues, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc either go un-diagnosed or are improperly diagnosed. With testing, we get data and information needed to make formal diagnoses and recommendations. The proper diagnosis can result in:

• Beneficial Therapy
• Medical Treatment
• Academic Accommodations
• Better understanding of yourself

Types of Testing:

Comprehensive Assessment

Our assessment process takes a comprehensive approach to testing, ranging from cognitive abilities to academic abilities to emotional & behavioral issues. This testing assessment includes all of the following:

• Cognitive Testing – looks at verbal and non-verbal skill levels, short-term memory and processing speed. The academic testing looks at reading, written language, and mathematics. Not only does this assessment look for weaknesses and disabilities, but it can look at a person’s strengths, so they know how to utilize them for optimal success.
• ADHD/Executive Functioning – This assessment incorporates testing for executive functioning and does a continuous performance test for ADHD, and includes rating forms (from self and others) to help get the most data to make a diagnosis of ADHD and what type of ADHD.
• Emotional & Behavioral Issues – we include a variety of personality measures and rating forms to help understand what clinical issues might be impacting a person, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.
• Academic Testing – While our office does provide academic testing as an “add on” to our Comprehensive Assessment, insurance does not cover academic testing, as it is considered to be the responsibility of the education system. If you or your child have academic concerns, we charge an additional $400 out-of-pocket cost.

The Process:

We strive to ensure that you have the best experience with us – from booking your appointment to your feedback session.

• Initial Booking – Our dedicated staff will work with you to schedule your testing at a convenient day for your schedule, based on our availability. After your phone call, they will send you all appointment information and intake forms. The intake forms will be sent through our online Client Portal and must be completed within one week of scheduling your appointment. Our staff is friendly, professional, and willing to answer any and all questions you have to make your time with us the best it can be.
• Testing – Testing is scheduled for two days and those days are no more than two weeks apart. Each testing session only lasts between 3-4 hours. On the day of testing, you will meet with one of our testing clinicians, who will administer the assessments on both testing days.
• Scoring Process – once testing has completed, we begin the scoring process of the assessment, which typically takes 2-3 weeks. Please note that some forms and additional information are usually requested from all clients. If we do not receive these in a timely manner, this will cause a delay in the timeline for report completion.
• Interview – You will meet with Dr. Willoughby (either virtually or in-person) for a more in-depth discussion. This interview will provide more accurate background information and observations to include in her assessment.
• Feedback Session – Dr. Willoughby will meet with you to personally discuss the findings from the testing and the report. She will also determine recommendations based on the diagnosis and provide further resources, if applicable.

Please note: For legal guardians of minors who are not currently together, we must receive completed intake forms from both parents in order to proceed with testing.

*While many people seek assessment to help gain a better understanding of themselves (or their children) it is important to note that we cannot guarantee any diagnosis or accommodations based on the testing. We must ethically only diagnose and make recommendations based on the data that we collect from the testing.

Insurance:

CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield – We do accept CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance and have had great luck with getting assessments covered. When you are booking your appointment, we will request that you send the front and back of your insurance card as well as other pertinent insurance information. As a courtesy, we will check your benefits within our provider portal for coverage details. However, we do request that all CareFirst clients also check their benefits on the member side to confirm the benefits provided. In certain situations, we may require clients to contact their member representative to provide further clarity on coverage benefits.

Non-CareFirst patients – Dr. Willoughby & Associates offers insurance coverage ONLY for clients that are covered under CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. We do not accept other insurance companies. If you proceed forward with testing and you are not covered by CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, you will be expected to pay for the entire testing out-of-pocket. For out-of-pocket clients, you can pay the entire balance at the first appointment, or you can pay half the balance at the first appointment and the remaining balance prior to the feedback session. The out-of-pocket cost for a Comprehensive Psycho-educational Assessment is $3,000.

*Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to provide a good faith estimate of expected charges for items and services to individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services.

Top Schools in Maryland Turn to Us for Psychological Assessment and Testing

With a prompt turnaround in 4 weeks, Dr. Crystal Willoughby’s practice is a “go-to” for top schools in Maryland including The Gilman School, McDonogh School, Towson University, Roland Park Country School, St. Timothy’s and more.

From the first call to scheduling an appointment, all the way to the feedback session reviewing the test results, the entire process is handled with professionalism, kindness, and confidentiality.