FAQs
Assessment FAQs
Q: How much are your assessments?
A: Our autism and educational assessments run between $2500-5000, depending on the complexity of the evaluation. We also offer speech, language, and social communication assessments, which can run from $100 to $750.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: We do not take insurance. However, we do offer families a Superbill in order to seek reimbursement directly from their own insurance companies. This article is an excellent resource for learning how to submit a Superbill. In addition, it is highly recommend you contact your insurance company prior to initiating services in order to learn about their policies and procedures for reimbursement.
Q: Do you offer financial assistance if I can’t afford the assessment?
A: If you are not able to afford a full assessment, there are a few ways to mitigate the cost. First, if your child is between the ages of 3 and 19, we highly recommend you request an evaluation with your child’s local school district. Disability Rights Montana has some great resources to support parents in requesting evaluations, including a customizable document you can send to your district to request they complete an autism (or other type of) assessment. If your school district completes an evaluation and does not do adequate autism testing, OR if you disagaree with the testing, you have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), which is a comparable evaluation, completed by an outside agency, billable directly to the school district. You can find guidance on how to request an IEE with Big Sky Therapy & Consulting here and a customizable document you can send to your district here. Another way to mitigate the cost of the assessment is to seek reimbursement through your insurance company. (See resources above.) Lastly, there are some government organizations and grants available to families that will assist with funding for assessments and services for autistic individuals and their families. While we are currently working on our own grant work, we currently do not have access to alternative funding sources at this time.
Q: I’m interested in services, what are my next steps?
A: The easiest way to begin services is to call our office at 406-730-3454 or to request a phone consultation here. In addition, if you plan to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, it is recommended you contact them for specific policies and procedures prior to beginning the assessment process.
Q: What can I expect from the assessment process?
A: We require a deposit 30 days in advance to hold your spot. The week prior to your scheduled assessment, we will send out all of our practice documents and questionnaires. Completion of these documents are required before we can initiate your assessment. We complete all of our assessments within a two-week period, on Mondays and Thursdays, with the final Thursday being an opportunity for a feedback session with our therapists. We ask that you please plan to take time off from work/school on those days. You will receive a copy of your report and diagnosis/es outcomes on the second Thursday of that two-week period.
Q: What if I need to cancel my assessment?
A: Due to the nature of our assessment process, if you need to cancel your appointment and your spot is unable to be filled, you forfeit your deposit and your spot in our waitlist. You are still eligible to complete your evaluation, however, you will be subject to whatever waitlist we currently have. This allows us to keep our quick turnaround time and low waitlist. If you choose not to continue with your assessment, you will have access to any results, but will not be provided with a full report.
Insurance FAQs
Q: How do I submit a Superbill to my insurance company?
A: Insurance companies vary significantly on reimbursement procedures. This article is an excellent resource for learning how to submit a Superbill. In addition, it is highly recommend you contact your insurance company prior to initiating services in order to learn about their policies and procedures for reimbursement.
Q: Can I submit a Superbill to Medicaid?
A: Medicaid does not accept superbills and only reimburses providers enrolled in Medicaid.
Special Education FAQs
Q: How do I request an autism or other kind of evaluation from my school district?
A: Disability Rights Montana has some great resources to support parents in requesting evaluations, including a customizable document you can send to your district to request they complete an autism (or other type of) assessment.
Q: My school has given my child an autism diagnosis. Can I use that as a medical diagnosis?
A: Educational diagnoses and medical diagnoses are different, but have a lot of overlap. Often you can use the results of your school’s assessment as a foundation to obtain a medical diagnosis (usually, but not always, with additional testing.)
Q: I disagree with my child’s evaluation or IEP. What are my options?
A: It is always encouraged to discuss any disagreements directly with your school district; however, we have special education advocates that can review evaluations and plans with you to determine next steps, including whether an Independent Educational Evaluation is necessary. You can find guidance on how to request an IEE with Big Sky Therapy & Consulting here and a customizable document you can send to your district here.