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

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.

• 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.