Medical insurance will often cover if you are testing for a developmental disability.
Some counties or states have funding specifically for diagnostic testing as well. To find out, call the pediatric psych department at a hospital and ask what is available in your area...
I'd also suggest asking your regular pediatrician - our insurance covered our neuropsych evals (minus deductible) with a referral from our ped for testing.
Our neuropsychs also charged more than what you were quoted (they are definitely not inexpensive!). They didn't charge by the hour, they charged a price for the full assessment and included an hour parent interview (in which you told your concerns and were asked questions about developmental and academic history and could show work samples etc) and a post-testing interview to review the report and results with the neuropsych and ask questions.
And chances are, that if something is found, there will be therapies etc suggested with other practitioners.... so the $ outflow won't stop with the neuropsych unless you can get school to provide whatever is needed.
We're not in the same state as you are, but to progress to the point of getting the type of testing you will get in one day's eval at the neuropsych can take a full school year here, and the quality of services you receive isn't as thorough as private and is also much more difficult to quality for. Our insurance has covered bits and pieces of private therapy, depending on the type and purpose.
It's really a tough situation to be in - but in your shoes, I'd want to know as much as I can as soon as I can.
Sending good wishes your way - I hope you find an affordable route to comprehensive testing.
polarbear
