IS A REFERRAL NEEDED?

Patients may be self-referred or referred by a family, an agency, or a physician.

WHO SHOULD COME TO THE ADC?
Patients with serious symptoms of memory loss can be evaluated.  Medical records are required.  Out staff will help you decide which physicians should send us records for the patients health history, previous medical problems, current medications, copies of MRI or CT scan and laboratory results.  Sometimes it can take four to eight weeks to get the records.  All this has to happen before the patient’s first appointment is scheduled.

APPOINTMENTS
Two or three visits to the Center may be needed to complete the evaluation.   The length of these appointments will vary from approximately one to three hours.  The patient will be seen by a clinical nurse specialist, a neuropsychologist and a neurologist.

FAMILY CONFERENCE
A conference for family members and others involved in the patient’s health care is scheduled after all testing is done and has been reviewed by the ADC team at the case conference.  At the family conference, the staff (Nurse, LCSW and other staff) summarize results of all testing and the patient’s diagnosis.  Advice about ways to care for the patient is given along with referrals to other agencies that could be helpful.   Reading materials and references are also given.  The caregivers can ask question about the diagnosis or care issues at this meeting.  After the conference both the family and the patient’s doctor get information about the patient’s evaluation.  The physician gets detailed information and recommendations, and the family gets a summary of what was discussed at the family conference.

FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
Patients enrolled in research studies may be followed yearly.  These follow-ups may be office appointments or telephone contacts.  Please let us know about any address and/or telephone number changes for caregivers of patients.  Our staff is available for phone consultation for advice, resource information, and support.

RESEARCH
The ADC provides diagnosis, consultation and research for Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.  Research is vital part of the program.  ADC patients and their caregivers may be eligible to participate in research studies.  The ADC staff review each case and determine which studies may be appropriate based on each individual’s interest and eligibility. Participation in any research program is voluntary.

BILLING POLICY
Any patient who is seen at the ADC for a diagnostic evaluation or clinically necessary reevaluation receives a professional service that the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center (UCD-ADC) must bill to the appropriate person or agency. You will not be billed for evaluations performed as part of research studies. Charges for evaluations performed as part of research studies. Charges for professional services provided by (UCD-ADC) are billed directly to Medicare, Medi-Cal, and/or other insurance providers. Your insurance plan may require the patient's doctor to provide a referral in order for the patient to be seen at the ADC You are responsible for any additional x-rays or laboratory tests required for the ADC evaluation. You are also responsible to pay your insurance deductible, if any. If you are unsure about your insurance plan, please discuss this with the ADC staff. The UCD-ADC staff, along with the UCD Professional Billing Group, will be happy to assist you in understanding and managing the evaluation costs and billing processes.

EVALUATION
The ADC Clinic places primary emphasis on a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation by a multidisciplinary clinical team. The evaluation includes:

* an initial visit consisting of neurological, neuropsychological, medical, and psychosocial assessments
* laboratory evaluation, including blood tests, brain scans, and related studies
* in-depth neuropsychological testing
* an in-home assessment of functional and safety concerns when indicated

A family conference is then held, summarizing the results and recommendations for care. Research participants are reassessed annually.

Clinic staff remain available for consultation and support throughout the course of the illness.