Frequently Asked Questions
Please call our office (864) 735-0604 to schedule an appointment, or you can email our intake coordinator at info@palmettopsych.com.
Referrals are not required but helpful, especially if a family is planning to file an Out-Of-Network (OON) claim to their insurance plan for reimbursement of fees paid.
We recommend getting a good night’s sleep and eating a healthy breakfast on the morning of the evaluation.
If your child is being tested, we recommend sharing with them that they will be working with a doctor that helps figure out how kids learn and think. They will be doing a variety of tasks that might include working with blocks and puzzles, answering questions, and completing reading, writing, and math activities.
Breaks will be provided as needed (e.g., snack, rest breaks). If the evaluation is lasting more than three hours, we will take a lunch break, too. We will strive to make our clients as comfortable and relaxed as possible.,
Testing sessions with the client are usually accomplished over 1 to 2 appointments. Testing can last between 2 to 6 hours (i.e., depending upon the presenting concerns). Evaluations requiring more than 3 hours of testing will include a lunch break and may be scheduled over multiple days. A second day of testing might be required if fatigue appears to compromise performance. You are encouraged to pack snacks and a drink on the day of testing.
Evaluations start with an intake interview, which may be scheduled for the same day as the testing session or on another day prior to the testing session. Please complete all paperwork on the client portal prior to this appointment and bring copies of previous evaluations and other relevant school records to the intake session. We will make a copy for our records. Alternatively, you may upload these into the Client Portal.
A Feedback session will be scheduled for 1 to 2 weeks following testing. It is during this appointment that all results from the evaluation will be reviewed. Formal recommendations will also be reviewed at this time. A written report will follow and will be available within the Client Portal.
Palmetto Psychological is not contracted within any insurance plan and therefore is considered “Out-Of-Network” for all insurance plans. Payment of fees via check, cash or credit card is required when services are provided. Payments can be easily paid in the Client Portal under Billing.
The fees vary for each of our evaluation services. Our intake coordinator will verbally provide you with a “Good Faith Estimate,” explaining how much your evaluation may cost based on the information you provide at the time of scheduling.
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, out-of-network health care providers need to provide clients with an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Palmetto Psychological is not contracted within any insurance plan and therefore is considered “out-of-network” for all insurance plans.
Clients are required to pay for services at the time they are provided.
We will provide you with a superbill (a written statement of fees paid, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and dates of service) that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement of fees paid to Palmetto Psychological. This statement is not provided until services are completed and you have been provided with the written report for the evaluation.
***Clients should call their insurance plan at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the evaluation about potential out of network benefits and about any requirements for the provider (for example, a prior authorization or precertification is required). The number to call is usually located on the back of the insurance card. The codes to inquire about are 90791, 96136, 96137, 96130, 96131, 96132, and 96133.
If your insurance plan requires a prior authorization (or pre certification), please let our office know at least two week’s prior to the start of the evaluation so we can submit the request in advance of your scheduled appointments. Please note that submission of a preauthorization request by your provider does not guarantee authorization or reimbursement of fees by your insurer.
We currently accept cash, check, and credit cards.
Patients with flexible spending or savings account debit may be able to use these funds towards payment for our services. Clients should inquire about eligible procedures under their plan. The codes to inquire about are 90791, 96136, 96137, 96130, 96131, 96132, and 96133.
No. We see clients of all ages–children and adults.
Given our focus on evaluating for neurodevelopmental concerns, which include autism, ADHD, and specific learning disorders, most of our clients are children and adolescents. If you an adult seeking our services, our Intake Coordinator will gather information from you to ensure we are able to meet your needs.
Neurodevelopmental “disorders” are characterized according to developmental deficits or delays that usually show up in early childhood, many times before a child enters elementary school, and can persist throughout adulthood. These brain functioning challenges can affect a person’s ability to regulate their emotions, behavior, and attention; memory; ability to learn; communication; and social interactions. They can be limited, for instance, to focus or learning to read; or they can be global and affect intelligence, learning, communication and social functioning.
Neurodevelopmental disorders include communication disorders, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorders (such as, dyslexia or dysgraphia), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and motor disorders. Evaluation and diagnosis is often necessary for individuals to access resources needed to help them overcome challenges.
The short answer is no.
In the public school setting, results of evaluations—those provided by district employees (such as the school psychologist) and those provided by outside agencies and providers (such as Dr. Shands at Palmetto Psychological Associates)—are reviewed by a school-based team. As required by federal and state law, after reviewing all sources of data the team first collaboratively determines if the student has a disability that requires specialized instruction (an IEP) and/or accommodations (a 504 plan). If symptoms are mild, it is possible that the team may determine that a student is not eligible for services or accommodations.
Many private and independent schools offer a range of services to students with diverse learning needs. In many cases, a recent evaluation with diagnostic impressions is needed when seeking services or accommodations in these settings. In addition, a reevaluation may be required by the school every three years.
Exceptional SC provides funding for “parentally placed private school students”. Please visit the Exceptional SC website for more information. We are happy to complete the required documentation for families planning to file for funding through this program.