Yesterday at my brain injury clinic appointment, my physiatrist suggested it may finally be time for a neuropysch assessment. He doesn't like to do them too soon after injury, likes to give everything a chance to resolve, but now I've passed my 1 year anniversary and its time to consider it.

This is not something that's covered under canadian health care. Part of it may be covered under our extended benefits through my husband's employment, but that will be minor.

It costs between $2000 - $4000 to have done, so most of this will be out of pocket. My injury is not due to a car accident, so there's no insurance and I chose not to sue anyone because of my accident, so no money is coming there either.

Explain to me so I can understand what the point of it is. I understand it should help pinpoint ongoing cognitive deficiencies, but then what? What happens with that info? Is it just for personal knowledge? Is it to gain access to some next level of therapy?

I'm already well aware of some areas that are difficult for me, things I used to be very good at that are now nearly impossible.

Its not like I need this testing to justify my injury for a lawsuit or for an employer or anything. We can spend the money, I just wonder if its WORTH spending the money.

Thanks!
Starr

Starr,
If you google this and watch some u tube videos on this it will explain the importance to you.

I am having one done to help prove disability for the purposes of applying for disability. Also so i can get the right kind of treatment and help and understand what is happening with me and ways to cope. They can also detect very early disease such as Parkinson's, M.S, early dementia, early Alzheimer's.

Good luck to you,

A good NP will asses your deficits and then give solid advice as to how to minimize any issues because of those deficits. For many the assessment is required for causality in determining liability. Also if one must work the assessment will have occupational accommodations for the employer.

For me it protected my health and safety as well as others. You can also get more definitive answers as to when you will need to start considering quality of life issues. I. E. When you need to seriously consider coping strategies for life long deficits.

For me, the NPA's best value was affirming the struggles I have and properly defining some that I did not understand. It helps me let go of the things I can not change.

With the knowledge of my condition, I can focus more on work-arounds, accommodations, and learning to avoid certain situations. The behavioral diagnostics helped my wife better understand me. It took a few years before she actually tried to understand the behavioral issues but when she did, it helped immensely.

If your husband has insurance that will partially cover an NPA, it may also have a network based fee structure. Most NPA's are based on fees tied to pages in the report. The NP may have a way to give you a simpler report since this NPA will not be used in litigation.

A preliminary abbreviated assessment or interview may help you understand the value of a full NPA.

Tough question to answer but the NPA info can be useful even if it is expensive information.

My best to you.

Apparently, I have given confusing and wrong information to you. Please disregard my suggestion that you can get information on the Internet. I was sent a very nasty message informing me not to give confusing information to people. This was how I learned the answer to the questions you are asking but we apparently have a genius on this board who knows all.
Sorry. I was only trying to help. No harm or confusion was meant on my behalf.
Good luck to you.

I replied privately to Brain Patch and have obviously offended her.

I tried to correct some misinformation she posted about NeuroPsychological Assessments. She said "They can also detect very early disease such as Parkinson's, M.S, early dementia, early Alzheimer's." This comment is not based on fact. Many make unsupported claims about their NPA skills but Ph.D.'s and Psych.D.'s are not authorized to make a medical diagnosis. Only an MD is authorized to make a medical diagnosis.

NPA's may diagnose symptoms or dysfunctions that are indicators of a medical illness or injury but that is not the same as detecting early disease. MS is a medical diagnosis based on MRI and other diagnostic tests. I have been evaluated for MS and the MRI was negative. The other symptoms are just overlaps of other conditions.

I understand that Brain Patch is in chronic pain and wish her well and relief from her pain and discomfort. I have recently had my first few days free of head aches in many months and know the stress pain can cause.

My best to you all.

Just a reminder that members are free to share whatever information they wish to here, even if other members do not agree with it.

We advise everyone to always check with their own physicians about anything they read here. This forum is for open sharing of information, and no-one except the mods and admins can tell another member not to post something (and even mods and admin do not "censor" anything unless it specifically violates the forum guidelines, which do NOT exclude open sharing of information)

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Starr, I am in Ontario and I'm queued up and waiting for the test myself. How it worked for me: my family doctor suggested a psychological screening where it was determined that I should under-go the testing to determine next steps. All of that has been covered by OHIP so far and no-one said anything to me about paying so much money, or any money for that matter. If your medical doctor does not know about PCS then ask him/her to investigate further.
A psychiatrist can determine if your symptoms are enough to diagnose PCS.
I'm interested to see how it goes for you, please keep us posted.
Jamie

thedude58,

you should ask about price before you agree to those tests! I'm also in Ontario and was not in a motor vehicle accident or anything where insurance or WC would cover my expenses and my neuropsycologist wants me to have the testing also and its over $2000 and up depending on the tests. Doesn't matter if a doctor orders it or not. Perhaps if a psychiatrist does it then it's covered but I've not heard of that before. Let me know if you find a way to get one for free!

CC

Thank you, I'll ask, but I don't think that is the case. I've been referred to Ontario Shores in Whitby, by a psychiatrist who agreed that my symptoms are PCS. Your doctor cannot refer you without the assessment first. Or, most likely, only the psychiatrist can make the referral to the specialists. Anyway, I'll see what i can find out.
Have you spoken to an MD or is your care coming from elsewhere, like an Osteopath, for instance. If that's the case, I'm reasonably certain that they cannot make that determination.
Jamie