Heather Gibb, Psy.D.
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist
Common Questions
(Insurance, payment, testing)
Will my insurance plan cover any part of psychological testing?
Each insurance plan differs in terms of whether psychological testing is covered, and to what degree. Many PPO plans cover some portion of psychological testing with an in-network provider. It is your responsibility to be fully aware of your current insurance benefits, including your deductible amounts (for both in and out of network providers), co-insurance or co-pay amounts, at the time of the evaluation. I am more thn happy to help guide you to the best of my ability in the complexities of insurance coverage for testing.
What insurance plans are accepted?
I am an in-network provider for PPO plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBS) and Cigna. Also, I can bill to your insurance as an out-of-network provider you have a plan that for some reason I am not contracted with. Further, I am happy to provide you with an invoice for services, which you are welcome to use in obtaining reimbursement from another plan.
What should I ask my insurance provider to find out if psychological testing is covered?
When speaking with an insurance representative, ask if your benefits include coverage for "Psychological Testing," including how many hours/units are allowed per year, and whether the provider needs to obtain a pre-authorization for the evaluation. If necessary, reference the billing code "96136" and "96137" and clarify what is covered. It is your responsibility to be knowledgeable about your benefits at time of testing.
Does my child or adolescent need to be referred by another provider or specialist?
No, you are welcome and encouraged to call me directly to discuss your questions/concerns, and schedule an evaluation without a referral. We will have a brief phone consultation to determine if my services are the best fit for your concerns.
How long is the evaluation process?
Various factors will determine the length of the evaluation, including the referral questions, you child's age and attention level during interactive testing. Typically, the evaluation will include a meeting with parents, one to two face-to-face testing sessions with your child/adolescent, and at least one follow up feedback meeting. From start to finish, the process can take approximately two to three weeks time.
I am wondering if my child or teenage has an attention disorder; can you evaluate for ADHD?
While there is no one single instrument that "tests" for a diagnosis of ADHD, a comprehensive evaluation can assess for an attention disorder such as ADHD and related disorders. Part of a thorough evaluation for ADHD includes assessment of a range of domains in order to rule out any other possible causes for symptoms (such as learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, undetected hearing or vision issues, other psychiatric or medical issues that may be mimicking ADHD symptoms). A detailed and thorough developmental history will be gathered during the evaluation, as well as consultation regarding your child's symptoms and functioning across numerous settings (i.e. home, school, social). In addition to utillizing parent and teacher rating forms, your child/adolescent will participate in interactive assessment to evaluate attentional skills, processing speed, cognitive abilities, and executive functioning. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, we will discuss what symptoms, behavioral patterns, and test data led to this diagnosis. Furthermore, psychoeducation about ADHD will be an integral part of the evaluation, and resources will be offered to learn more about ADHD and co-occuring challenges in children and adolescents.
Who provides the follow up treatment/therapy if this is recommended based on evaluation findings?
One critical component of my evaluation process is the collaborative process of discussing relevant and useful recommendations for services to support your child/adolescent. If and when psychotherapy is recommended following the evaluation, I will provide your family with several specifically tailored referrals to providers that may be a good fit for your son or daughter. While I have provided psychotherapy to children and adolescents for the past 10 years, my current practice is devoted to providing psychological testing services; thus I do not provide any therapy at this time.
Is the information gathered in the evaluation cofidential, including the results and report?
Yes, absolutely. Any information you or your child/adolescent share during the evaluation is completely confidential. Information will only be shared with your written consent, in such instances where you would like me to consult with your child's teacher, therapist, or health care professional. A comprehensive written report will go directly to the parent(s)/legal guardians and will only be shared with other professionals with your written consent. Information shared by your child/adolescent surrounding suspected child/elder abuse or imminent safety concerns will be shared with parents during the evaluation process, as required by the laws and ethics that guide my professional practice.