If you’re considering a private ADHD assessment, we know the first question you’ll have is ‘how much does a private ADHD assessment cost?’
Well, the good news is, they may not be as costly as you might think. Plus, with shorter wait times and flexible appointment slots, they also offer useful benefits to make the cost worthwhile.
In this blog, we’ll break down the costs of private ADHD assessment, including child and adult costs, as well as what’s included in the price.
How Much is a Private ADHD Assessment in the UK on Average?
On average, the cost of a private ADHD assessment in the UK can exceed the £1,000 mark depending on the pathway and whether it’s a dual diagnosis.
When we look at the average cost for an online assessment compared to a face-to-face one, the prices differ quite a lot. For an online ADHD assessment, you can expect to pay between £300 and £950, whereas an in-person assessment ranges from £800 to £1,700.
Blended ADHD assessment costs, which are where you get a dual-diagnosis of ADHD and autism, can be upwards of £2,000.
Why Do Private ADHD Assessment Costs Vary So Much?
When you’re considering a private ADHD assessment, we know the variation in prices can be a bit off-putting, but there is a reason for it.
Private ADHD assessments are provided by, well, private healthcare providers. As such, prices will vary depending on the way they carry out their assessments, who’s actually assessing you, and what they include.
For example, if you get an assessment from a consultant psychiatrist, you’ll pay more than if you see a nurse specialist. Both can assess you for ADHD, but one’s time will cost more.
What’s more, the length of the assessment can run up costs. On average, an assessment takes between 90 minutes and 3 hours. A shorter assessment time will cost less than a longer one.
Different healthcare providers will include different things in their assessment package, too. Some may simply provide you with a diagnosis result, while others will include follow-up appointments and expert treatment advice — the latter generally costs more.
Child vs Adult Private ADHD Assessment Costs
As they typically require unique diagnostic pathways and take different amounts of time, both child and adult private ADHD assessments are priced separately.
A child ADHD assessment costs more because clinicians need to contact teachers as part of the diagnosis process. Speaking to their school helps them get a better idea of how the child acts in different settings.
For adults, while the process is still in-depth and complex, there are usually fewer people to speak to during the assessment.
How much an adult ADHD assessment costs can range anywhere between £400 and £1,400, while a child assessment can reach up to £1,700 with certain providers.
What’s Included in the Cost of a Private ADHD Assessment?
Depending on the provider, there will be different steps included within the cost of a private ADHD assessment. However, in general, you can expect at least the following:
- Pre-assessment questionnaire
- Research into medical history
- Clinical interview
- Written diagnostic report
Some providers include additional steps that will increase the price, but will likely give more context and support. For example, certain providers will include follow-up assessments, a bespoke treatment plan, and aftercare as part of their standard assessment plan.
Are There Hidden Costs of a Private ADHD Assessment?
While private diagnosis providers will often include every step of the initial assessment in their price, there are some additional ‘hidden’ costs to be aware of.
If you’re prescribed medication, you’ll need to pay the provider private dispensing fees until the information is shared with the NHS. Private prescriptions can cost up to £180 per month.
In fact, finding the right dosage of a prescribed medication can also cost. Known as medical titration, it can cost between £50 and £199 per session until the correct amount is found.
How Do I Pay for a Private ADHD Assessment?
One of the biggest concerns most patients have is how exactly they pay for the private ADHD assessment costs. In general, there are a few options available to you.
- Upfront: If it’s within your budget, you’re more than welcome to pay the cost of a private ADHD assessment upfront. Paying this way is the quickest method, but requires you to have a chunk of money readily available.
- Monthly Instalment Plans: Most private providers offer monthly instalment plans for you to spread the price across 3, 6, 12, or even 24 months. While this will mean it takes longer to pay off, you won’t have to worry about costly upfront payments.
- Private Health Insurance: You might be able to use your private health insurance to cover an ADHD assessment. Most private providers will accept major private health insurers, e.g., BUPA, Vitality.
If you are going down the private health insurance path, you must check that an ADHD assessment is covered within your plan first. Not all insurers cover such diagnostic tests.
What are the Benefits of a Private ADHD Assessment?
While private ADHD assessments are costly, there are benefits to be enjoyed when you choose to go private.
One of the biggest benefits is that you’re able to skip the lengthy queues for an NHS assessment. For children, an NHS assessment can take up to 5 years. Waitlists for an adult assessment are even longer, with some having to wait over 10 years.
With a private assessment, you may only have to wait 4 weeks to be seen by a clinician. In fact, some private providers can see you in a couple of days.
Other benefits of private ADHD assessments include the flexibility to choose an assessment time that works for you. If travelling is an issue, most providers offer online assessment pathways, too.
Neuroaffinity Provides Affordable, Quick ADHD Assessments for Children and Adults
Here at Neuroaffinity, we provide professional private ADHD assessments for children and adults.
We offer affordable, fast assessments, with prices starting from £650 for adult assessments and £795 for children, and appointments available within 4 weeks. If you’re concerned about ADHD in yourself or a child in your care, get in touch with us today.
You can reach us via phone on 0776 856 5162 or send an email to enquiries@neuroaffinity.co.uk. Alternatively, fill out our contact form, and we’ll call you back.
