Coastal Bend Neuropsychology, 4646 Corona Dr, Suite 258, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
General
At Coastal Bend Neuropsychology, we understand that you probably have a lot of questions before your first visit. We have provided some of our most frequently asked questions and their answers below. If you can't find the answer to your question, please feel free to call our office at (361) 253-5604 or (361) 299-5351. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Why am I being referred for testing?
Some common reasons why a patient is referred for a neuropsychological evaluation include:
- Assessment of specific neurological disorders, post concussive syndrome (PCS), or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- When mild or questionable deficits are observed on mental status exams
- When neurological conditions are present, such as stroke, dementia, or encephalopathy
- Neurotoxic exposure
- To examine the impact of an autoimmune disease on cognitive functioning
- Differentiating between organic and psychiatric disorders
- Assessment of suspected malingering
- Forensic issues and questions or litigation related to patient’s cognitive functioning
- Assisting in diagnosis, monitoring the course of a disorder, and prognosis
- Issues related to return to work or school
- Constructing rehabilitation plans
What should I bring with me to the appointment?
There are a few things that you may need to have with you during your day of testing:
- Bring your insurance card and driver's license (or identification card) with you so that we can make a copy of it for our records
- Bring any medications that you need to take during the day
- Depending on your insurance company, you may need to be prepared to pay a co-pay of approximately $20-$75, as well as any deductible that would still be owed based on your insurance. We will discuss this with you prior to your appointment
- Bring money (for lunch) or something that you can eat for lunch - there are some restaurants and fast-food places that you can go to, but we also have a refrigerator and microwave if you prefer to bring your lunch
- Bring the packet that was sent to you in the mail - it contains a letter confirming your appointment and providing you with some general information about your appointment
- If you are unable to access and complete forms on the patient portal, please plan to spend some additional time with us upon your arrival to the clinic in order to complete necessary registration paperwork
What will the day be like?
You can expect to meet and work with a pleasant and understanding staff. Once you arrive, you will be asked to verify or complete several pages of registration paperwork, and you will meet the doctor who will be handling your case. The doctor will explain how the day will proceed and answer any questions that you may have at that time.
During the testing day, the patient will discuss their history and any current difficulties and concerns that they may be experiencing. through an interview with the doctor. A similar interview may also be conducted with a close family member or friend of the patient at some point during the testing day or on another day following the appointment. In addition to the interview, the patient will be given a variety of tasks to complete.
The patient will sit across a table from the doctor in a private room with few distractions. With each task, the doctor will present directions that the patient should follow. The tasks look at the way the patient’s brain functions or works in the areas of overall intelligence, attention and concentration, memory, language, perception, basic motor skills, and higher-level cognitive functioning (e.g., reasoning and problem solving). The patient will also be asked to complete a few measures of their mood and emotional functioning.
None of the tests are invasive or require needles, and no blood is drawn. Breaks can be taken as needed. You can have a drink and even a light snack over the course of testing. A lunch break will be taken from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Testing appointments typically start at 9:00 a.m. and can last until 4:00 p.m. in some cases (depending on the information that needs to be gathered).
Why are you asking to speak with a family member or close friend?
Often when an individual suffers an injury, it takes them some time to recover. During their recovery, they may not be completely aware of everything that they are capable (or not capable) of doing. Our close family members and friends often know us better than we realize. With more information (through what we call a collateral interview), we are able to provide patients with a more comprehensive picture of how they are functioning in their everyday life.