Financial Policies of Portland APD

We appreciate your choosing Portland Auditory Processing Diagnostics. APD testing is typically recommended after long searches for other causes have not proved helpful. We understand how important this testing is to you and your family, and how it is tinged with worry and concern. In the interests of full disclosure and no unwanted surprises, this page will inform you about the costs associated with Auditory Processing testing. We hope this page is informative, but naturally, we would be happy to clarify our financial policies further with you personally.

Fees. The cost of a comprehensive evaluation of Auditory Processing ranges from $995 to $1449 including a basic audiometric (hearing) evaluation. Specific charges depend upon analysis time needed. This can be discussed before the evaluation. If you already have a copy of an audiogram done by a licensed audiologist within three months of the APD testing, the comprehensive price is discounted $100.00. In that case the initial APD evaluation fee would range from $895 to $1349.

Insurance Claims. Portland Auditory Processing Diagnostics (Portland APD) is associated with some, BUT NOT ALL, third-party payers or insurance plans. Portland APD works with the Providence EPO and PPO plans, with Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield, First Choice Health PPO Network, Asuris, CIGNA, Greatwest, HealthNet of Oregon, LifeWise, Pacific Source, Premara, United Health Care-Pacific Care and Pacific Source. If you have an insurance plan that does not have a relationship with Portland APD, you will be responsible for the full charges for the evaluation. Payment will be required at time of testing. Portland APD will cooperate to furnish documentation so that you can request reimbursement for evaluation charges. Please note that Kaiser health plans, Oregon Health Plan or Columbia United Plan (CUP) do NOT provide any reimbursement for Auditory Processing Evaluations. Kaiser members are encouraged to look at the United Healthcare Children's Foundation for possible financial assistance.

Portland APD is happy to provide you with a full receipt containing all information necessary for you to submit the costs of the testing to your third-party payer or insurance plan. If you are planning to submit the bill to an insurance company or third-party payer, it is advisable to obtain pre-authorization. It may be necessary for you to provide the insurance company or third-party payer with a doctor's referral for the testing. You will be responsible for procuring the referral if it is necessary.

Process:

1. Preliminary Case Review (via telephone, up to 30 minutes). During this telephone call, background history is collected. 

2. Records Review. The evaluator reads other pertinent records (IEP, etc.). 

3. Interview with parent and child before testing.

4. APD Testing. Two to three hours of formal testing is done with a two-channel audiometer in a sound-treated booth. Each child is different, and breaks are taken according to the child's needs, so this period varies with each individual. Evaluator and parents will have time for a short discussion after testing is completed. 

5. Report. Writing the formal report takes at least three hours, often more. This report is completed within one week of your child's testing. 

6. Post-evaluation conference. The report is explained and remediation planned. 

7. Written report. A hard copy of the report is sent to parents. (Parents may sign a release to receive a copy of the report via e-mail, if they wish.)

On average, testing involves eight hours of professional time per evaluation.

Payment. At this time, Portland APD can only accept checks made out to Portland APD as payment for services. A $75 fee for all returned checks will be added to the billing. Reports cannot be released until payment has occurred. Emergencies. Because we are essentially scheduling a day's worth of professional time to prepare, evaluate and report on your child Portland APD requires a minimum of 24 hours notice if an unforeseen emergency makes it necessary for you to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Portland APD reserves the right to charge a $100 cancellation fee for all no-show appointments or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

Other services. In some cases, additional or other services may be appropriate for you and your child. These services are listed below, and because they are done apart from the initial Auditory Processing Evaluation, they are billed separately. You will always be clearly informed of these charges before they are provided to you or your child.

For example, these services are not considered part of the Initial Auditory Processing Evaluation and will be charged at these separate rates:

• Auditory Processing Screening (for 5 to 7 year olds): $400.00

• Rehabilitation services: $110.00 per hour visit

• Records review (without testing): $160.00 per hour

• School visits (on site): $150.00 per hour (including travel time)
  

• Case Management (Coordinating interdisciplinary team): $100.00 per hour
  

• Rush of Report (2 business days): $100.00 Overnight report shipment $30 per shipment per address
  

• Additional telephone follow-up calls (requested by patient or their family): $25 per call
  

• LACE listening program: $150 for four sessions.
  

Contact Dr. Polich or Portland APD:

825 NE 20th Avenue, #230
Portland, OR 92323
Office telephone: 503-806-1498
Office email: admin@portlandapd.com
Emergency telephone contact: 503-805-5350