Adult Neuropsychological Services

Jared M. Bruce, Ph.D.

Dr. Bruce received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and completed an APA-approved clinical internship specializing in neuropsychological assessment and treatment at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. Dr. Bruce has extensive clinical experience with adults who suffer from neurologic illness, with special interests in multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative dementias. He completed a two year APA-approved post-doctoral fellowship specializing in adult clinical neuropsychology at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. Dr. Bruce is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has written more than 25 scientific papers investigating the cognitive and emotional consequences of psychiatric and neurologic disease. Among other outlets, his research has been published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Neurology, Archives of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuropsychology, and Neurosurgery. He is an active member of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the International Neuropsychological Society, and the American Psychological Association. He also serves as a consultant to the National Hockey League’s Concussion Management Program.

What is a Neuropsychologist?

The National Academy of Neuropsychology defines a clinical neuropsychologist as “a professional within the field of psychology with special expertise in the area of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical neuropsychologists use this knowledge in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or rehabilitation of patients across the lifespan with neurological, medical, neurodevelopmental, and psychiatric conditions, as well as other cognitive and learning disorders. The clinical neuropsychologist uses psychological, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological principles, techniques and tests to evaluate patients’ neurocognitive, behavioral, and emotional strengths and weaknesses and their relationship to normal and abnormal central nervous system functioning. This information is used to identify and diagnose neurobehavioral disorders, and plan and implement intervention strategies.” Neuropsychological assessment can provide useful information in a variety of situations. Common reasons for referral to a clinical neuropsychologist include:

To assist with differential diagnosis of neurologic and psychiatric illnesses.
To determine a person’s ability to work and attend school.
To determine a person’s ability to engage in everyday tasks and manage his or her affairs.
To provide baseline information and track a person’s thinking skills over time.
To assist with treatment planning for cognitive disorders.
To educate and inform patients and family members about the causes and consequences of cognitive and emotional difficulties.

What to Expect?

Typically, a neuropsychological evaluation includes a clinical interview and a comprehensive battery of tests that assess thinking abilities such as memory, language, attention, planning, motor skills, spatial abilities, and processing speed. Patients are also asked to fill out questionnaires that assess their mood and other psychological traits. Depending upon the referral questions, this exam typically lasts between 4 and 7 hours. Tests are scored and the neuropsychologist conducts a medical records review and integrates all of the obtained information into a report that is shared with the referring physician. Usually, patients are also invited back to go over the results and recommendations during a one hour feedback session.

SPECIAL SERVICE FEATURE — Dr. Bruce is able to provide home and community-based assessments to individuals with challenges such as limited mobility/or other impacting health issues, or those with a lack of transportation. A pre-screen will determine if a patient’s basic functioning as related to the referral question would be appropriate for neuropsychological services. Off-site assessments are conducted at no additional charge besides a travel-time charge, which is billed pro-rated as 50% of the normal hourly rate of $150.00 per clock hour. (See the “Billing” section.)

What to Bring/Have With You?

It is important that you have with you reading glasses, hearing aids, and any other assistive devices that you may use. In addition, typically we would like for you to bring a significant other along for the clinical interview (e.g., spouse, child, good friend). Getting information from someone who knows you well can greatly help the neuropsychologist better understand your situation. Finally, we will ask you to sign a release so that we can obtain information from your physicians. Please provide their names, phone and fax numbers, and addresses.

Billing

Payment is to be provided up front at the time of the evaluation. We typically charge a flat fee for the entire assessment process.

Most evaluations for patients over the age of 60 are somewhat briefer and the flat rate for this exam is $1,200.
More testing is commonly done with younger patients. The flat rate for this exam is $1,350.

These comprehensive rates include a medical chart review, patient interview, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback.

There are situations where additional time is required to complete a thorough evaluation. If this is the case, the neuropsychologist will discuss this with you and provide recommendations. Additional services would be charged at a rate of $150.00 per clock (60-minute) hour.

If the referral is regarding a forensic evaluation, the nature of the evaluation, rates, and payment procedures may differ. Please speak with Dr. Bruce about charges for these referral questions.

Important Information Regarding Insurance

We do not accept or bill insurance, and are considered out-of-network providers. You should check with your insurance company prior to scheduling this evaluation to determine any out-of-network benefits your plan has, and what your coverage rates may be. We cannot guarantee that insurance companies will reimburse any or all expenses for direct or supervised services. However, we will provide you with a statement suitable for submitting to insurance on your own should you choose to do so.