Where an IEPC sought a medical evaluation due to a student's severe depression, a district balked at paying for a neurological examination as part of it. Here, in addition to depression, the student was exhibiting signs of anxiety, irritability, and educational frustration. When the medical examination was sought, the psychiatrist who commenced it stopped, finding that a neurological examination was a necessary component. The district refused to pay for the neurological and the parent requested a due process hearing. The hearing officer found the neurological examination to be an appropriate part of a medical examination here where the results might detect the existence of certain conditions which would assist the IEPC participants in developing an appropriate program for the student.
Medical examinations are sometimes necessary.
But, they can often be costly and expensive. In preparing for a MET or IEPC meeting where there is a likelihood that the need for a medical evaluation will come up, districts would be well advised to discuss with a medical consultant or potential evaluator, the circumstances which prompt their considering such an examination. This allows the district to explore the possible components of that evaluation which the physician believes might be necessary or appropriate. In addition to being helpful to the MET or IEPC participants in assessing whether a medical evaluation should be pursued, it would also give the district a better handle on the time the evaluation might take, its costs, and the potential for covering part of those costs with third parties such as a health insurer or Medicaid. The best inheritance a parent can give to his children is a few minutes of his time each day.