How Much Does an ADHD Assessment Cost, and Does Insurance Cover It?

A private ADHD assessment with a psychologist in Alberta usually costs more than a thousand dollars, because it involves several hours of interviews, testing, scoring and report writing. Many extended health plans pay part of it under psychological services, up to your annual maximum, and the rest counts toward the medical expense tax credit. Ask for a quote and check your plan before you book.

An ADHD assessment is not a single appointment. A thorough one typically includes:

• An intake interview about current difficulties and developmental history.
• Standardized questionnaires from you and, where possible, someone who knows you well, such as a parent, partner or teacher.
• Testing of attention, memory and related abilities.
• Screening for conditions that can look like ADHD or occur alongside it, such as anxiety, depression, learning disorders and sleep problems.
• Scoring, interpretation and a written report.
• A feedback session to go through the results and recommendations.

Much of the psychologist's time is spent outside the appointments, scoring and writing the report. That is why assessments are priced as a package rather than per session.

• Age. Child and adult assessments use different measures and involve different people.
• Scope. An ADHD-focused assessment costs less than a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment that also looks at learning and cognitive abilities.
• Complexity. Overlapping concerns take more time to untangle.

Often, in part. Most plans treat an assessment by a psychologist as psychological services, so it draws on the same annual maximum as therapy. Because an assessment can cost more than a typical annual maximum, insurance usually covers part of it rather than all of it.

Before booking, ask your insurer:

• Are psychological assessments covered, and under which benefit?
• What is my annual maximum, and how much is left this year?
• Does the assessment need to be done by a registered psychologist?
• If my spouse also has benefits, can the second plan pay part of the balance?

• Health spending accounts can generally be used for psychological assessments.
• The medical expense tax credit applies to the portion you pay yourself, whether the assessment is for you, your spouse or your child.
• NIHB and other programs have their own rules for assessments, so ask before booking.

Publicly funded assessments exist, particularly for children through schools and Alberta Health Services programs, but waits can be long, and public adult assessments are harder to find. A private assessment is usually much faster, and the report can support accommodations at school, work or post-secondary. For adults, it also gives your family doctor a clear starting point if medication is being considered.

We assess children, teens and adults for ADHD in Calgary, Red Deer and Cold Lake. Call 1-888-622-8350 for the current fee and to talk through whether an ADHD assessment or a broader psychoeducational assessment fits your situation. No referral is needed.

We direct bill many insurers, including Alberta Blue Cross, Canada Life, Sun Life, Manulife and Greenshield. We can check your coverage before you book, and where your insurer accepts direct billing, you pay only the part your plan does not cover. See direct billing and insurance.

Related reading: How to get diagnosed with ADHD in Alberta, Claiming therapy on your taxes and Is ADHD a disability in Canada?