Eileen F Buese, PhD in Baltimore: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Assessment for Adults

Eileen F Buese, PhD is a clinical neuropsychologist in Baltimore whose practice focuses on cognitive assessment, neuropsychological evaluation, and treatment planning for adults experiencing memory changes, attention difficulties, or suspected cognitive decline. Her practice operates independently and accepts most major insurance plans, offering both diagnostic testing and post-evaluation recommendations within a specialty field that many Baltimore patients must otherwise pursue outside the city.

What she does

Buese conducts comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, a category of assessment distinct from standard psychological testing. Where a general psychologist may screen for depression or anxiety, a neuropsychologist administers a battery of timed, standardized tests to measure specific cognitive domains: processing speed, verbal and visual memory, executive function, attention, and language. These evaluations are ordered by primary-care physicians, neurologists, or geriatricians when patients report memory lapses, difficulty concentrating after illness, suspected early dementia, or cognitive changes following stroke or head injury. The testing identifies whether changes reflect normal aging, medication side effects, depression, mild cognitive impairment, or neurodegenerative disease. In Baltimore's medical landscape, where major health systems often centralize specialty testing, independent neuropsychology practices like Buese's allow patients to avoid waiting lists at hospital-based clinics and to receive evaluation in a private, lower-pressure setting.

Services and what they cost

Neuropsychological evaluations through Buese's practice typically include a clinical interview, administration of cognitive tests (lasting 2 to 4 hours depending on the referral question), review of medical records, and a written report with recommendations. Costs vary by the scope of testing but generally range from $1,500 to $2,500 out of pocket if uninsured; most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, and Aetna, cover neuropsychological evaluation when ordered by a physician. Verify current insurance acceptance and whether your plan requires prior authorization, as requirements vary by employer and plan year. Some patients pay a copay at visit, with their plan covering the remainder; others meet a deductible first. Follow-up consultations to review results and discuss findings typically cost $200 to $400.

How it compares to other Baltimore neuropsychology options

Baltimore has limited private neuropsychology practices. Most comprehensive cognitive evaluation is performed by neuropsychologists embedded in Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Sinai Hospital neuropsychology clinics. Those hospital-based evaluations often carry longer wait times (4 to 8 weeks) and require initial referral through the health system's neurology department. Buese's independent practice typically accommodates new evaluations within 2 to 4 weeks and does not require referral through a hospital system, though a physician order is usually necessary for insurance coverage. For patients whose insurance requires in-network providers, availability depends on your plan; call Buese's office to confirm coverage before scheduling. If your insurance covers only hospital-based neuropsychology, Hopkins or UMM are stronger options. If you value shorter wait times, a private setting, and flexibility on physician referral timing, an independent practice works better.

Who benefits and who should look elsewhere

This service suits adults whose primary-care doctor suspects cognitive changes but has not yet diagnosed a cause, patients with a known neurological condition (Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, stroke history) seeking objective baseline cognitive testing, and those evaluating medication side effects or cognitive impact of mood disorders. Patients over 65 with memory complaints, those seeking clarity before a dementia diagnosis, and people preparing for legal or insurance documentation of cognitive status benefit from formal neuropsychological evaluation. This is not a first-stop service for general anxiety, depression, or therapy; a primary-care doctor or psychiatrist should evaluate mood concerns first. If you are seeking psychotherapy, counseling, or treatment for depression or anxiety, a clinical psychologist offering talk therapy is more appropriate.

What to expect on a first visit

Call Buese's office with your physician's order (a simple referral from your doctor listing "neuropsychological evaluation" and any specific concern: memory, attention, post-stroke cognition, dementia screening). You will be scheduled for an initial 15-minute phone screening to confirm insurance coverage and identify which tests best fit your referral question. At the in-person visit, Buese will conduct a brief clinical interview covering medical history, medications, education, and the specific symptoms prompting evaluation. The formal testing then begins, usually taking 2 to 3 hours in a single session or split across two appointments. Tests are untimed at first (allowing practice) then timed to measure processing speed. Most are paper-and-pencil or tablet-based tasks: word lists to recall, visual patterns to identify, math or logic problems. You will not be told your scores immediately. Within 1 to 2 weeks, Buese sends a detailed report to your referral physician and typically schedules a brief feedback session (30 to 60 minutes) to review findings, discuss implications, and outline next steps.

Hours, location, and logistics

Buese maintains a private office in Baltimore and sees patients by appointment Monday through Friday; specific hours and exact location should be confirmed by calling her office, as clinical practices occasionally adjust schedules. Parking is available at her location. Bring a photo ID, insurance card, and a list of current medications to your first appointment. If your insurance requires prior authorization, Buese's office will typically handle the request once your physician order is received.

Neuropsychological evaluation in Baltimore remains concentrated within large health systems; an independent neuropsychologist offering accessible scheduling and insurance flexibility fills a real gap for adults pursuing cognitive clarity without hospital-system wait times.