While advances in neuroimaging have expanded our ability to see structural changes in the brain, they cannot show how the brain is actually functioning, or how brain changes affect the patient’s life. Our clinic uses standardized testing to quantify brain functioning in order to clarify diagnoses and assist with treatment planning. This testing can also be used to track cognitive changes over time through repeated evaluations. Serial testing usually occurs when the neurological condition is expected to progress (i.e. dementia) or improve (i.e. traumatic brain injury). A neuropsychological evaluation can be particularly helpful when psychiatric symptoms are also present as depression and anxiety can be associated with cognitive inefficiency in daily life. Although this is not an exhaustive list, consider making a referral for a neuropsychological evaluation to answer the following clinical questions:
— dementia vs. depression
— memory loss due to normal aging vs. early dementia
— dementia etiology and staging
— pre- and post-surgical testing to assess for changes (i.e. epilepsy or hydrocephalus)
— cognitive problems associated with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc.
— cognitive problems associated with cancer or cancer treatment
— cognitive ability to return to work
— cognitive ability to live independently
— capacity for decision-making
If you have any questions about whether or not to make a referral, or about what testing can add to any particular situation, please feel free to call me and I will be happy to discuss the case with you.
Insurance Accepted:
— Medicare
— ProHealth
— Anthem
— United Healthcare
— Cigna
— Tricare
— Humana
— Advantage
To make an outpatient referral:
Please fax to 855-845-3260 a facesheet (or similar document with the patient’s demographics and contact information), patient insurance information, a signed order from the physician that includes the NPI and reason for referral, the physician’s contact information including fax number, as well as recent progress notes, brain imaging results, lab results, current medication list, and any other clinical documents you believe could assist me with answering the question(s) at hand. Feel free to download and use our referral form. Community physicians, feel free to enter the order in EPIC, and use Inbox messaging to notify me of the referral. NOTE: there is no queue for these referrals within EPIC, so I will not know you have made a referral until you notify me either by fax or by messaging me through inbox. Feel free to download and use our referral form.