Is it worth getting a private ADHD assessment?

Backlogs in NHS waiting lists are driving a growing number of people towards getting a private assessment for ADHD, but not all private providers will give you the same quality of care.

An ADHD diagnosis can be life-changing if you've had symptoms your whole life, and without it you may not be able to get the treatment or clarity that you need.

But there are pitfalls of going private, and prices can vary considerably, so it's important to tread carefully. 

Here, we explain how to choose a reputable private provider, typical costsand waiting times, and next steps regarding treatment and returning to the NHS.

Please note: this article focuses on adult assessments only.

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What is ADHD?

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition where you have trouble with things like concentrating, being hyperactive and being impulsive.

You might not experience all of these things. For example, women are more likely to have symptoms of inattentiveness, like finding it hard to stay organised and keep appointments, than symptoms of hyperactivity.

You can read more about ADHD symptoms on the NHS website.

If these symptoms are having a significant negative impact on your life – at work or in your relationships, for example – and you have experienced them since childhood, speak to your GP to rule out other possible causes and see what your options are.

If NHS waiting times are very long in your area (they can vary from a few months to as much as 10 years in some areas), there are other options, from the NHS Right to Choose scheme to opting to self-refer to a private provider. But be aware that this might mean you have to pay for private prescriptions when it comes to treatment.

What is the NHS Right to Choose?

NHS Right to Choose gives you the option to go to any NHS-partnered provider of ADHD assessments, without being bound to a local provider with long wait times.

Organisations that offer private assessments are sometimes also partnered with the NHS and offer Right to Choose services. The charity ADHD UK has a useful guide to the process.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is no Right to Choose scheme. You can only go to your local NHS assessment centre or a private provider.

Will the NHS accept a private ADHD diagnosis?

A private diagnosis does not mean you’re entitled to NHS prescriptions. And, generally, if you get a private diagnosis, you’ll also have to privately fund any medication or other treatment costs.

Often, to get NHS treatment for ADHD, you’ll still need to be diagnosed by the NHS-funded service, regardless of what your private diagnosis says.

Shared care agreements

Speak to your GP before getting a private ADHD assessment to see if they’d be willing to adopt a shared care agreement.

This means your GP would be able to take over prescribing your medication, if relevant, after the assessment. So you wouldn’t have to pay private prescription charges on top of a private assessment fee.

However, taking on shared care patients is not part of the core NHS GP contract, so many won’t accept this type of arrangement. They also have to be confident in the diagnosis you were given.

Dr Ulrich Müller-Sedgwick, consultant psychiatrist and ADHD champion of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, explains: ‘A diagnosis letter is not enough if you want to go back to the NHS for prescribing and ongoing care. 

‘The NHS has to make sure you have a good-quality diagnosis.’

Does private medical insurance cover ADHD assessments?

No, most private medical insurers in the UK do not cover ADHD assessments.

This is because it’s considered a ‘chronic’ condition that needs ongoing management. Health insurance typically only covers acute conditions that respond quickly to treatment – something like a broken bone.

Check your insurance policy to see if ADHD is excluded from your cover.

If private GP appointments are covered, book an appointment to discuss your symptoms, rather than outright asking for an ADHD assessment.

They might be able to forward you on to the appropriate next steps or flag other treatment options you hadn’t considered.

Check our independent expert reviews of private medical insurers like Aviva and Bupa for the best-rated providers

How does a private ADHD assessment work?

You might already have taken an online quiz that helped you to identify whether you have some ADHD symptoms, but an assessment should be much more in-depth.

An ADHD assessment should, according to official Nice guidelines, include discussion of:

• your behaviour and symptoms in different settings, like with friends and family, or at school or work
• how your symptoms impact your life in these areas
• your history, for example you could be asked to provide past school reports or have family members speak about your behaviour when you were young
• how you’re feeling more generally, and your broader mental health.

If any of these elements are missing, the assessors won’t get a full picture to make an accurate diagnosis.

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How much does a private ADHD assessment cost?

We've rounded up typical prices and wait times from some of the bigger providers, listed in alphabetical order, to help you get a sense of your options. 

Please note we haven’t reviewed these providers and can't make any comment on the quality of their services.

Choosing a private ADHD assessment provider

When choosing a provider, make sure their processes are rigorous so you can be confident in the answer you get from them.

Henry Shelford, chair of ADHD UK, explains: 'One of the most important things is that you want to be in a position where you believe the answer – whether the answer you get is that you have ADHD or not.

'You might need to write down your challenges and the reasons you’re struggling before your assessment. Make sure you take the time to communicate those, so the assessor has a good understanding of what you’re dealing with.'

Some providers will advertise unnecessary extras like a qB test (an computer-based tool for measuring attention and activity), which Dr Müller-Sedgwick explains is not necessarily a helpful diagnostic tool: 'Interestingly' he says 'this is only recommended for children – not adults. There wasn’t enough evidence to suggest it was useful for adults.'

All providers are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This means you can look them up and read inspection reports on the CQC website to see if the provider meets Nice guidelines. Bear in mind newer providers may not have been inspected yet.

Things to check when booking:

• Check the price and waiting list time for your specific circumstances.
• Some providers offer tiered levels of assessment, so be sure to check what's included and what isn't, eg assessment, diagnosis letter, etc.
• Ask in advance how long an assessment typically takes, and if you'd have to pay extra if you run over time.
• Avoid companies that offer short windows of time (such as 60 minutes) and say they'll cut off the assessment if it runs over, then charge you for follow-ups.

Screening and ADHD assessments

When you sign up for an ADHD assessment, you’ll be asked to submit documents and questionnaires in an initial screening phase.

At this point, it might be that your assessment is not taken any further and you may not be charged. This might be because, based on the answers you've given, you don't meet the diagnostic thresholds for symptoms or their impact on your life.

Double-check the T&Cs of the provider to ensure you won't get an unexpected charge if this happens.

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What is the medication process for ADHD?

If you’re diagnosed with ADHD, the next step is finding a suitable medication and dose for you, known as a titration process.

If you've gone private, this might be included in the price you paid upfront, or it might be extra. The cost of the private prescription will likely be separate in both cases.

Is getting a private ADHD assessment worth it?

If you have ADHD symptoms, getting a diagnosis can give you a better understanding of yourself and how your mind works. You could also get access to medication that eases your symptoms.

But, will it still be worth it if the conclusion is that you haven’t got ADHD?

Henry Shelford says: ‘If you’ve been thinking you’ve got ADHD, and gone to get professional help and in that professional’s opinion it’s not ADHD, the best places are still able to find out why you’re there looking for help.’

Ultimately, it should still help you on your way to finding answers about issues you're facing and how to manage them better, and at a quicker pace than you might otherwise achieve through the NHS. 

However, if you get a short assessment that doesn't scratch the surface of your broader experiences, you risk missing out on an accurate diagnosis and the insight that can inform your next steps.

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Help to manage ADHD symptoms

Whatever part of the process you’re in – whether that’s already diagnosed, waiting for an assessment, or if you've decided not to pursue diagnosis – there are resources available to help you manage some of the challenges you might be facing in your day-to-day life:

• ADHD UK Offers support and coaching groups, as well as a range of learning resources.
• ADHD Adult UK There are a host of tools to help manage your life and deal more easily with tasks.
• Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) Some organisers at APDO specialise in helping people with ADHD to make your home easier to manage.
• Mind If you’re having trouble with your mental health, Mind has advice on how to express your feelings to your GP.
• NHS You can find simple and evidence-backed explanations of ADHD and guidance on how to manage your symptoms on the NHS website.
• Samaritans You can call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time and on any day if you need to talk to someone about your mental health.