Behavioral Health Testing Information
 
 
 

Behavioral Health Testing Overview || MMPI-A and BASC-3 Testing || Testing for autism spectrum disorders

If you child is also waiting to see a therapist at Alpine Pediatrics, the wait time for an appointment with a therapist is between 6 - 12 months.

Testing offered by the Alpine Pediatrics Behavioral Health Program:

The Alpine Pediatrics Behavioral Health Team provides several psychological assessment services. The main reasons for psychological testing are to identify or clarify a diagnosis, and for treatment and planning purposes. Often, this includes identifying the symptoms of disorders such as depression, anxiety, behavior disorders, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorders. Once a disorder has been accurately identified, appropriate recommendations for treatment and intervention can be made. These recommendations may include therapy, referral for medication, school interventions, or other behavioral treatments. Testing options are offered as a part of the Alpine Pediatrics Behavioral Health Program. In order to receive services from the Behavioral Health Program your child must be a current patient of Alpine Pediatrics, all care must be transferred to Alpine Pediatrics if your child is currently being seen by another Provider.

Alpine Pediatrics offers two standardized psychological tests, the BASC-3 and MMPI-A. The BASC-3 draws on reports from the parent and the patient, and will sometimes also capture a report from a teacher. The BASC-3 will use these reports to help the Behavioral Health Team understand your child's behavior, mood, adaptive skills, or school problems and compare them to a normative group. The MMPI-A is an assessment of personalty traits as well as other psychopathology. Both tests provide useful information to support accurate mental health diagnoses, and when necessary, suggest where additional testing may be needed.

Testing appointments outside a Provider visit:

If your child is scheduled for psychological testing with the BASC-3 and/or MMPI-A please note that these tests are administered in an Alpine Pediatrics office and are not visits with a Provider. A Behavioral Health Provider reviews all Behavioral Health Testing. To help with the possibility of insurance covering the cost of the test administration and review; a prior authorization will be done before the testing appointment. A prior authorization does not guarantee coverage by your insurance company. If the test is not covered by insurance, the cost of the testing appointment is $235. With any questions about the testing fee or prior authorization process please call the Alpine Pediatrics Billing Office at 801-772-1068.

Testing for Autism Spectrum Disorders:

Alpine Pediatrics also offers testing for Autism Spectrum Disorders, which follows a different protocol than the standalone BASC-3 and/or MMPI-A testing. Following a referral from your child's Primary Care Provider, your child will be scheduled for an intake appointment with a Behavioral Health Provider. The purpose of this appointment is to gather initial background information that will be used for a prior authorization through your insurance. A prior authorization does not guarantee coverage by your insurance company, but Alpine Pediatrics will make every effort to pursue coverage for the test if it is available through your insurance company. If the test is not covered through your insurance company, or if you opt to pay for the test out-of-pocket, the self-pay costs are estimated anywhere between $600-$1200. With any questions about the testing fee or prior authorization process please call the Alpine Pediatrics Billing Office at 801-772-1068.

Following the intake appointment, you will be referred by the Behavioral Health Provider for a testing date with a Behavioral Health Provider. The Autism Spectrum Disorders testing appointment are typically two-hour appointments and are only offered in the Vineyard Office. This appointment includes the administration of a structured parent interview of common symptoms and developmental behaviors associated with autism via the ADI-R and administration of the ADOS-2, which allows further observation of social and communication behaviors and is is administered in a way that is fun, interesting, and interactive for your child. Testing may also include the BASC-3, the MMPI-A, and/or the Vineland-3. The Vineland-3 is used as a measure of Adaptive Behavior. Results and community resources/treatment recommendations will typically be discussed one week following the appointment during a feedback session with a Behavioral Health Provider.