Trouble Focusing Help NYC: Your Next Healthcare Steps

focus difficultiesmental healthpsychiatric evaluationNew York healthcareneurobehavioral assessment

Trouble Focusing Help in NYC: Your Next Healthcare Steps

Having a hard time focusing at work or school can be really frustrating, especially when even simple tasks seem difficult to complete. You’re not alone in feeling distracted, losing things, or forgetting details that used to be easy to remember. It’s completely understandable to wonder whether this is something others deal with or if there might be an underlying issue affecting your ability to concentrate.

If you’re in New York City and looking for help with these challenges, you’ve come to the right place. This post will guide you on what types of healthcare providers can help, what kinds of evaluations and assessments you might expect, and the approximate costs for those services in NYC. Most importantly, it will point you toward your next steps for getting professional advice and support.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in New York, NY

Based on your symptoms of trouble focusing, a few types of healthcare professionals in New York City can be great places to start:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. They can evaluate your symptoms first and refer you if needed.
  • Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions through evaluations and, if necessary, medication.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Specializes in adult care and can assess emotional or behavioral problems and medical causes of focus issues.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker: A mental health professional who provides diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy to help with emotional and behavioral concerns.
  • Clinical Psychologist: Specializes in neurobehavioral assessments and psychotherapy to evaluate and treat psychological and cognitive problems.
  • Neurologist: A doctor who focuses on brain and nervous system disorders and can conduct detailed neuropsychological testing if needed.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s an overview of common procedures for these providers related to focus difficulties and the general price ranges in NYC for those paying out-of-pocket:

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (CPT Code: 90791)
    Purpose: This is a detailed assessment to understand your mental health and focus problems. It helps the doctor make a diagnosis and plan treatment.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $316 (typically ranges from $237 to $395)
    Provider Availability: Based on 1 provider in NYC.

  • Procedure: Assessment of Emotional or Behavioral Problems (CPT Code: 96127)
    Purpose: A quick screening to check if emotional or behavioral issues might be affecting your focus.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $11 (ranges from $7 to $16)
    Provider Availability: 45 providers available.

Visit with a Psychiatrist

  • Procedure: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (CPT Code: 90791)
    Purpose: A medical evaluation by a psychiatrist to diagnose mental health conditions impacting focus, with the option for medication management.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $278 (ranges from $208 to $347)
    Provider Availability: 16 providers in NYC.

  • Procedure: Established Patient Office Visit, 30-39 Minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Follow-up visit to discuss symptoms, treatment progress, or adjust medications.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $203 (ranges from $152 to $254)
    Provider Availability: 363 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Assessment of Emotional or Behavioral Problems (CPT Code: 96127)
    Purpose: Screening for emotional or behavioral causes of your difficulties focusing.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13 (ranges from $7 to $18)
    Provider Availability: 121 providers.

Visit with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

  • Procedure: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (CPT Code: 90791)
    Purpose: A mental health evaluation focused on behavioral and emotional symptoms contributing to your focus problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $222 (ranges from $166 to $277)
    Provider Availability: 129 providers.

  • Procedure: Psychotherapy, 45 Minutes (CPT Code: 90834)
    Purpose: Talk therapy sessions to address emotional or behavioral challenges affecting your ability to focus.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $126 (ranges from $94 to $157)
    Provider Availability: 239 providers.

Visit with a Clinical Psychologist

  • Procedure: Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation (CPT Code: 90791)
    Purpose: Comprehensive psychological evaluation to identify issues affecting cognition and attention.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $287 (ranges from $215 to $359)
    Provider Availability: 201 providers.

  • Procedure: Exam of Neurobehavioral Status, First Hour (CPT Code: 96116)
    Purpose: In-depth testing of brain functions related to behavior and thinking, helpful for diagnosing focus-related conditions.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $201 (ranges from $122 to $280)
    Provider Availability: 36 providers.

Visit with a Neurologist

  • Procedure: New Patient Office Visit, 45-59 Minutes (CPT Code: 99204)
    Purpose: Evaluation of neurological causes that could affect focus, such as brain or nerve conditions.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $299 (ranges from $224 to $374)
    Provider Availability: 283 providers.

  • Procedure: Exam of Neurobehavioral Status, First Hour (CPT Code: 96116)
    Purpose: Detailed testing of brain and behavioral functions.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $165 (ranges from $123 to $206)
    Provider Availability: 13 providers.

  • Procedure: Psychological or Neuropsychological Test Administration, 30 Minutes (CPT Code: 96138)
    Purpose: Collection of specific test data about brain function by a technician.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $66 (ranges from $49 to $82)
    Provider Availability: 27 providers.

  • Procedure: Evaluation of Neuropsychological Test, First Hour (CPT Code: 96132)
    Purpose: Analysis and interpretation of tests to understand thinking and focus issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $233 (ranges from $174 to $291)
    Provider Availability: 25 providers.

  • Procedure: Assessment and Care Planning for Impaired Thought Processing (CPT Code: 99483)
    Purpose: Comprehensive evaluation and planning for treatment of cognitive issues affecting focus.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $499 (ranges from $374 to $624)
    Provider Availability: 10 providers.

Taking the first step toward better focus and mental clarity is important and can feel overwhelming, but help is available.

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Reach out to one of the recommended provider types — starting with either a Family Practice doctor for a general evaluation or a mental health specialist like a psychiatrist or psychologist.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, how long you have noticed them, and any questions or concerns you want to discuss.
  3. Discuss Costs Upfront: When booking, ask the provider’s office about expected self-pay costs or your insurance coverage to avoid surprises. The estimates provided here give you a good baseline.
  4. Trust the Process: Remember, difficulty focusing is a common concern, and professional assessments are the best way to understand the cause and find effective treatments.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.