The short answer: a full neuropsychological evaluation — the multi-hour battery that maps memory, attention, language, and executive function — commonly runs $2,500–6,000 cash in California, routinely topping $2,500 in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.¹ The better news: when there's a medical question attached (a concussion, a stroke, seizures, suspected dementia, long COVID fog), this is the most likely testing to be covered by insurance — because it's medically necessary by definition.
When you actually need this (and when you don't)
Neuropsych testing answers the question "what is happening to this brain's functioning, and why?" You likely need it for: memory decline in a parent, post-concussion or post-stroke changes, a disability or workers'-comp claim, surgical planning, or untangling "is this ADHD, anxiety, depression, or something neurological?" You likely don't need it for straightforward ADHD treatment (cheaper route →) or an autism question (that route →).
The routes, priced
| Route | Real California cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Through insurance, physician-referred | Copay to ~20% coinsurance | The main route — see the script below |
| Private neuropsychologist, cash | ~$2,500–6,000¹ | $200–400/hr across 8–15+ hours of testing, scoring, report |
| Medicare (65+, or on disability) | Covered when physician-ordered | Standard route for dementia evaluations |
| University neuropsych clinics (UCLA, UCSF, USC, UCSD areas) | Reduced fees, sliding possible | Waitlists measured in months |
The insurance script (this is the whole game)
Insurance approval hinges on a physician referral with a medical reason. Ask your doctor to write the referral with the medical indication front and center:
"Please refer me for neuropsychological evaluation to assess cognitive changes following [the concussion in March / ongoing memory decline / stroke]. I'm requesting pre-authorization."
Then call your plan: "What's my coverage for CPT codes 96132 and 96136 with pre-authorization?" Those are the standard neuropsych testing codes; asking by number gets real answers. If the plan denies as "educational," that's appealable when symptoms affect daily functioning — and if scheduling drags, the timely access rules → apply to specialist appointments too (15 business days).
What happens next: referral → pre-auth (1–3 weeks) → intake interview → testing day(s) — often one long morning or two shorter ones; it's tiring by design → scoring and report (2–4 weeks) → feedback session. Ask for the feedback session to include a family member if memory is the question; two sets of ears beat one.
Q&A
Q: How much does neuropsychological testing cost in California? A: Cash evaluations commonly run $2,500–6,000 (billed at $200–400/hour across 8–15 hours of testing and reporting), but with a physician referral citing a medical indication, insurance and Medicare frequently cover it. Source: TherapyCalifornia cost guides, August 2026.
Therapists who work alongside neurological conditions are filterable here: [[N_NEURO]] verified listings → Browse the directory
Sources
- ADHD Cost Compare, California psychologist hourly rates and neuropsych figures — adhdcosts.com/costs/california; Sachs Center 2026 neuropsych cost guide — sachscenter.com [RE-VERIFY upper range at publish]
- CPT codes 96132/96136 — AMA CPT code set.
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 28, §1300.67.2.2(c)(5)(D) — law.cornell.edu
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