Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I obtain an appointment with a neuropsychologist?

An appointment can be obtained by having your primary care doctor, neurologist, psychiatrist or other medical professional call our office and make a referral. A referral from a physician is required by most insurance carriers in order for the cost of the evaluation to be covered. Without a referral, you may be personally responsible for the entire bill. In addition, self-referred patients and forensic and legal evaluations may be accepted with prior approval and advanced payment. Our office can be reached at 205-934-2334, Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time.

What will the evaluation be like?

The evaluation will consist of various pencil and paper tests administered in an office setting. You will be asked to do a variety of memory and thinking activities and problem-solving tasks. There will be no invasive procedures, needles or physical exams. You will be given breaks as desired, including an hour for lunch. The testing may cause you to become bored, tired or frustrated, which may affect your performance, so be sure to let the staff know if you need a break.

How long will the evaluation last?

Our evaluations typically last from four to eight hours, depending on the nature of the evaluation. We schedule our appointments at 8 a.m. in order to facilitate completing the evaluation in one day. In some cases it may be necessary to return to the office on a separate day to complete testing. On average, most patients leave our office by 3 p.m.

How can I prepare for the evaluation?

• Get a good night’s rest and arrive at the appointment awake and alert.
• Eat breakfast before arriving.
• Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor – don’t stop taking any medications unless your prescribing doctor has instructed you to do so.
• Bring hearing aids, glasses and other assistive devices as needed.
• Set realistic expectations for yourself to avoid anxiety and undue stress – no one will answer every question correctly!

What do I need to bring with me to the evaluation?

• Glasses, contacts, hearing aids and other assistive devices as needed.
• Completed “Patient Information Sheet."
• Snacks, beverages (we provide coffee, tea, water) and money for lunch.
• Spouse, adult child, friend or relative who knows you well and can provide information about you to the psychologist. This person will be interviewed by the doctor.
• Insurance cards.
• Copies of medical records, previous evaluations, list of medications etc. that our office may not have record of.
• Sweater or light jacket in case you become cold.

Do I need to bring anyone with me?

You will need to have a spouse, adult child, friend, relative or caregiver accompany you to your appointment. This person will play a valuable role in the assessment process and will be interviewed by the psychologist. In cases of dementia, memory loss or motor problems, the person accompanying the patient is responsible for maintaining the patient’s safety by administering medications, assisting with transfers and taking the patient to lunch and the restroom. The Neuropsychology staff is not trained to handle medical and self-care tasks for patients. If someone is not available to be interviewed on the day of your appointment, please contact our office so alternate arrangements can be made.

What happens after I leave?

After your appointment, the results of your tests will be scored, interpreted and compiled in a comprehensive report by our psychologists. This is a time-consuming process which generally takes two weeks to complete. It is not possible to have your report ready the same day as your appointment. When your report is completed, it will be forwarded to your referring physician. You will receive the results of the evaluation when you return to your referring doctor. Direct feedback from our neuropsychologist can also be arranged as necessary.