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Forum -> Parenting our children -> Our Challenging Children (gifted, ADHD, sensitive, defiant)
How do people afford an evaluation?
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amother
Denim


 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 9:37 am
Insurance doesn't cover it (not that any of these places accept insurance anyway), and even WITH a "generous discount" I'm looking at about $3000. But we have no choice, we have to do this evaluation! They won't work out a payment plan either, everything is due in full by the day of the first appointment. It's 2 months away, so we can handle paying some in advance, spaced out, but I think we're just going to have to put the rest on a credit card...
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ra_mom




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 9:42 am
It's really hard and many struggle with this.
FYI, the clinics at Mt. Sinai and Columbia accept insurance but there's a long wait list for evaluations.
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Jewishmom8




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 9:45 am
I am in Israel and I had to pay out of pocket for a good eval too.
it was about $900
very expensive but worth it for us.
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momtra




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 9:58 am
We had an evaluation with Melissa Vacarri, with NYU - it was a fortune. We submitted it to our insurance and they ended up reimbursing us for a large portion of it.
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amother
Denim


 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:07 am
I already know insurance won't reimburse. Our plan doesn't reimburse anything out of network and all of the evaluation places are out of network. Maybe the school should give us a tuition discount in the amount of the evaluation they're insisting on Rolling Eyes
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watergirl




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:20 am
Firstly, op didnt say where she is located, so suggesting places in NY isnt necessarily helpful.

Op, you have rights. You are intitled for a free and timely evaluation from the state. From the day you begin a file, they have (iirc) 30 buisness days to get the evaluation.

Dont buy into the frum idea that private is better.
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watergirl




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:22 am
amother wrote:
I already know insurance won't reimburse. Our plan doesn't reimburse anything out of network and all of the evaluation places are out of network. Maybe the school should give us a tuition discount in the amount of the evaluation they're insisting on Rolling Eyes

I just read this. The school is the one insisting on it? Then by law they have to cooperate with evaluations and such.
ETA - your child is also protected if he is given an IEP or other educational plan, btw. They cant toss him out or tell you that they lack the resources to provide him a proper education.


Last edited by watergirl on Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total
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Chayalle




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:23 am
What type of evaluation is this?

I agree with Watergirl - it's ridiculous that frum schools are insisting on evaluations with private people who are not necessarily better and are charging to the skies.
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Leahh




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:30 am
amother wrote:
I already know insurance won't reimburse. Our plan doesn't reimburse anything out of network and all of the evaluation places are out of network. Maybe the school should give us a tuition discount in the amount of the evaluation they're insisting on Rolling Eyes

I would definitely talk to the school administrator and let them know that since they requested it and insurance won't pay they have to pay at least half. I personally would insist on the full amount because that's my personality but if you feel like that's not right then ask for half.
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amother
Denim


 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:46 am
We do happen to be in NY. The school is not wrong, an evaluation is definitely warranted. There is definitely something going on and everyone will be better off with a definitive diagnosis. The school has actually been very helpful in helping us fight to get all the services we need, and they're not threatening anything, they want my child to have all the right support in place. They have a lot of experience in this area and they do not believe a DOE evaluation will be sufficient. I have asked a few other people with experience who are less nogea bedavar and all agreed that based on what we need to investigate, private is the way to go. My mother has been through something similar with a sibling and she said the money we pay now will hopefully pay for itself in upgraded services. I'm just so stressed though, having to come up with such a huge amount upfront. I wish there was some way to make it easier.
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Queen6




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:50 am
Just make sure the eval is needed. There is a tendency that people are shoved to doing millions of Evals. What is the outcome?
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mha3484




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 10:50 am
Do you have a jewish family services? Ours offers a complete educational eval on a sliding scale. I would tell the school I am limited in funds and will be going to JCFS or my local childrens hospital. If that is a problem for you, than that's your issue not mine. On the off chance you are in IL I can give you names/links etc.
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amother
Silver


 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:03 am
DOE eval is definitely not sufficient . With them you get what you pay for . Those evals are only good if you are looking to get services , not if you really want to know what ur child's issues are .
You can try counterforce, they charge based on a sliding scale.
Good luck .
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shoshanim999




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:14 am
I see some are suggesting that the school is responsible for part of the evaluation since they are insisting on it. Can I respectfully point out that the reason the school is requesting an evaluation is because the child is obviously exhibiting behavior that is troubling and possibly disruptive to the class?
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Amarante




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:32 am
Yes it's difficult but you are really just kvetching which is perfectly fine.

You can afford it although you would like to spend the money on other things.

Those who really can't afford it either go in network or use DOE because they truly can't afford it.

I am not judging you because who except the truly wealthy has a spare $3000 that couldn't be used for other things. Most people would kvetch in your situation. But you are lucky since you can afford the best for your child. Think of it that way.
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morah




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:51 am
Amarante wrote:
Yes it's difficult but you are really just kvetching which is perfectly fine.

You can afford it although you would like to spend the money on other things.

Those who really can't afford it either go in network or use DOE because they truly can't afford it.

I am not judging you because who except the truly wealthy has a spare $3000 that couldn't be used for other things. Most people would kvetch in your situation. But you are lucky since you can afford the best for your child. Think of it that way.

Just want to point out that none of these private evaluation places are in network (at least the places I know of in NY). IF your plan is PPO, you can send in the receipts for reimbursement, but if not, then you can't. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the state evals are not necessarily adequate. I could see why her options may really be limited here. OP mentioned putting this on a credit card, so I wouldn't exactly call that "affording". But ensuring your child's educational needs are met is definitely a good reason to put $3000 on a credit card. It's certainly a better use of that credit than a bar mitzvah. Just don't call it affording, because it's not, it's stretching to pay for something you need.
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cnc




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:56 am
morah wrote:
Just want to point out that none of these private evaluation places are in network (at least the places I know of in NY). IF your plan is PPO, you can send in the receipts for reimbursement, but if not, then you can't. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the state evals are not necessarily adequate. I could see why her options may really be limited here. OP mentioned putting this on a credit card, so I wouldn't exactly call that "affording". But ensuring your child's educational needs are met is definitely a good reason to put $3000 on a credit card. It's certainly a better use of that credit than a bar mitzvah. Just don't call it affording, because it's not, it's stretching to pay for something you need.


This .
How can you compare a 20 minute DOE evaluation (done by a non specialist ) to a multi hour evaluation done at a hospital or by a specialist?

The only thing the DOE evaluates for is whether your child can benefit from OT, PT, ST or a Special Ed teacher.
They can't even evaluate if your child has a simple APD.
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Amarante




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 12:00 pm
I wanted to clarify that I am in no way suggesting that the OP should NOT get a private evaluation because in the realm of therapy, IME, you get what you pay for. Most decent psychologists aren't in any network and even if you are reimbursed it's a small fraction of what you are charged.

I understand her kvetching as most people would if they had to spend a significant sum on unreimbursed medical expenses.

I was just trying to turn it around because she is *lucky* in the sense that she is able, by hook or crook, to be able to get her child the help needed. Some people would not even have the ability to charge it so they would have not have that option.
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ra_mom




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 12:11 pm
OP, my child's school suggested we do a full evaluation as well. When I told them we couldn't afford it, they did research and got back to me stating that they had experience receiving comprehensive quality evaluations from two clinics (mentioned above) and suggested I start there. Unfortunately we are still in the process but I wanted to share this information with you.
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goforit




 
 
    
 

Post Wed, Dec 30 2015, 12:45 pm
amother wrote:
Insurance doesn't cover it (not that any of these places accept insurance anyway), and even WITH a "generous discount" I'm looking at about $3000. But we have no choice, we have to do this evaluation! They won't work out a payment plan either, everything is due in full by the day of the first appointment. It's 2 months away, so we can handle paying some in advance, spaced out, but I think we're just going to have to put the rest on a credit card...


Most Bicker Cholims in NY area can help you with like $50-$150 towards the evaluation. Open your Jewish phone book and call ALL that are listed. The ones you are conected to (your area) put more pressure on. Be very clear that you need to go in debt for the rest. It's time consuming but you should be able to get most of the funds. Good luck. ps If you need a good list of bicker cholims pm me.
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