Understanding Autism Testing Costs & Insurance | Chicago Autism Testing Institute

Most insurance plans cover autism evaluations.

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Many insurance plans include coverage for neuropsychological testing—especially when your child is under age 5 and showing signs of developmental differences.

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We provide a basic benefit check to help you understand your coverage, and we’ll always explain what we find. However, we strongly encourage all families to contact their insurance provider directly to confirm the details of their plan, including coverage, deductibles, and network participation.

What's included in our neuropsych evaluation?

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Your child’s evaluation through the Chicago Autism Testing Institute includes:

A review of developmental history and parent concerns
Standardized, play-based testing (e.g. ADOS-2)
Direct assessment with a licensed Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Same-day results and feedback session
A full written report you can use for insurance, school, and therapy planning

Insurance basics: what do these terms mean?

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Let’s break it down in simple terms:

Deductible – What you must pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in.
Example: If your deductible is $1,500 and you haven’t met it yet, you’ll likely pay for services until you reach that amount. ‍
Co-pay – A flat fee for a visit (e.g., $25–$50).
This may or may not apply to testing—it depends on your plan. ‍
Co-insurance – A percentage you pay after the deductible is met.
Example: If your plan has 20% co-insurance and the evaluation is $1,000, you’d pay $200.

HMO vs PPO – Why it matters

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PPO Plans – More flexible. You typically don’t need a referral and can often schedule directly with us. ‍
HMO Plans – Often require a referral or prior authorization, and we may need to separate out your intake, testing, and feedback appointments. We’ll let you know if this might apply to your situation, but we recommend checking with your insurance company directly.

Example cost scenarios

Situation

Possible Out-of-Pocket Costs

PPO plan, deductible met

$0–$50 (co-pay only)

PPO plan, deductible not met

$500–$1,200 (varies by plan)

HMO plan, with referral

Usually covered, but confirm with your provider

Private pay

Ask us about self-pay pricing

Your actual costs will depend on your specific insurance plan. That’s why we encourage all families to call the number on the back of their insurance card and ask about the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes that we can provide to you ahead of time.

What if I don’t have commercial insurance or my child is covered by Medicaid?

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At this time, we are not contracted with Medicaid and unfortunately cannot submit claims for families with Medicaid coverage.

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However, we do offer a private pay option for families who would still like to access a high-quality, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Many families choose to pay privately to avoid long waitlists or to gain clarity faster when time matters most.

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If you’re in this situation and have questions, our team is happy to walk you through our pricing, timelines, and what’s included—so you can make the best choice for your family.

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Still Have Questions?

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We’re here to make this process feel less overwhelming. While we can’t guarantee exact coverage, we’ll point you in the right direction and support you in getting the information you need.

Schedule an Evaluation

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Our testing locations in the Chicagoland area

We believe evaluations should happen in spaces that feel safe, calm, and welcoming—especially for young children. That’s why we offer autism testing at several thoughtfully designed locations within North Shore Pediatric Therapy across the Chicago area. Whether you're close to the city or in the suburbs, our centers are built with families in mind and staffed by experts who truly care.