ADHD Testing & Treatment in San Diego

Question

ADHD Testing & Treatment in San Diego

(Telehealth, Psychiatrists & Costs)

The fastest path to ADHD help in San Diego is knowing what you need: a formal diagnosis, medication management, therapy or skills coaching, or a combination. In California, psychiatrists and some primary care doctors diagnose and prescribe. Psychologists and neuropsychologists focus on testing. Therapists and coaches help you implement daily systems across school, work, and home.

Across La Jolla, UTC, Hillcrest, North Park, Mission Valley, Chula Vista, and North County you will find integrated systems like Kaiser Permanente Southern California, local HMOs like Sharp Health Plan, Medi-Cal plans (Community Health Group, Molina, Kaiser, Blue Shield Promise), and independent clinics. Most teams start by video for speed and parking sanity on the 5 or 163, then bring you in if there is a clinical reason. Prescribers must check California’s CURES database before controlled meds and pharmacies accept e-prescriptions by default. The County operates a 24/7 Access & Crisis Line for routing and support.

TL;DR – move fast with confidence

Testing – Clinical interview plus rating scales. Neuropsych testing is sometimes added and not required for diagnosis [1] [2].
Telehealth – California allows video evaluations and requires documented telehealth consent [3].
Medication – Prescribers consult CURES and send e-prescriptions to pharmacies that must receive them [4] [5].
Online prescribing – Federal telemedicine flexibilities for Schedule II–V are extended through Dec 31, 2025. Ask what your clinic requires [6] [7].
Insurance – San Diego coverage includes Kaiser, Sharp, PPOs, and Medi-Cal plans. The County’s Access & Crisis Line is 24/7 [8] [9].

ADHD testing & diagnosis in San Diego

How clinics evaluate – Expect three steps: a focused intake (60–90 minutes) that maps symptoms, history, and look-alikes like anxiety or learning differences; standardized rating scales from you and a second rater (partner, parent, or teacher); and add-ons when needed like school records or targeted psychoeducational testing. Rating scales support, they do not replace, a clinical evaluation [1] [2].

Tele-evaluations are normal – California requires clinicians to inform you about telehealth and document your consent. You can request in-person at any time [3].

Do you need neuropsych testing – Usually no. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria with impairment in two or more settings and corroboration from another rater. Targeted testing helps when learning issues are suspected or you need formal school or test accommodations [2].

San Diego checklist – bring these to your first visit

Item	Examples / notes
Photo ID & insurance card	Driver’s license, passport, or school ID plus your current insurance card.
Current meds & past trials	Names, doses, start and stop dates, what helped or did not, side effects.
Prior evals & school or work records	Past ADHD or psych reports, IEP or 504 plans, progress reports. Adults: anything showing childhood indicators like report cards or parent recollections.
Second rater for scales	Partner, parent, teacher, or coach who knows you well to complete ASRS or Vanderbilt-style forms.

Tip: email PDFs ahead and ask the clinic to confirm they are attached to your chart before the intake.

Medication management in California – San Diego specifics

Before prescribing – California prescribers consult CURES the first time they prescribe a controlled medication, then at least every six months while it remains in your plan. Expect ID verification and an e-prescription sent to your pharmacy [4] [5].

Telehealth and stimulants – Federal telemedicine flexibilities that allow certain clinicians to prescribe Schedule II–V via telehealth are extended through December 31, 2025. Your clinic may still require an in-person visit based on your case [6] [7].

Refills and timing – Schedule II medications cannot be refilled. Some prescribers issue multiple sequential e-prescriptions with “do not fill before” dates for up to a 90 day total supply when appropriate and allowed by state law [11].

San Diego medication checklist

Confirm CURES check and that your script will be e-prescribed. Resources: Medical Board of California California Board of Pharmacy
If your pharmacy is out of stock, request a one time transfer of an electronic controlled substance prescription for the initial fill to another DEA registered retail pharmacy [12].
Clarify whether your situation needs an in person visit despite telehealth flexibility through 12/31/2025 [6].

Pharmacy logistics in central and North County

Call first to confirm inventory in UTC, Hillcrest, Mission Valley, or Chula Vista. Bring photo ID. If needed, use the one time EPCS transfer for the initial fill [12].

Insurance & costs in San Diego – fast path by plan type

Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Access – Self refer to mental health. Call 1-833-KP-WITH-U to book phone, video, or in person. No referral needed for standard mental health access [13].

Adults, kids, teens – Ask for an ADHD evaluation and where med management happens locally or via regional telepsychiatry. Ask about stimulant follow up cadence given Schedule II rules [11].

Costs – Copay or coinsurance per your Evidence of Coverage.

Sharp Health Plan – local HMO

Access – No referral needed for in network outpatient therapy. Behavioral health is administered with Magellan and video visits are widely available [14].

Steps – Find an in network psychiatrist or psychologist and schedule directly. For coverage questions call Customer Care or Magellan [15].

Medi-Cal in San Diego County

Plans – Community Health Group, Molina Healthcare of California, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan serve San Diego County [9].

Start here – 24/7 Access & Crisis Line: 1-888-724-7240. They triage all ages and route to County or community clinics, including crisis support [8].

Costs – Covered benefits with minimal or no copays based on eligibility.

PPOs – Anthem, Blue Shield CA, Aetna, UHC, Cigna

Find in network first – Filter for “ADHD evaluation,” “psychiatrist,” or “psychologist” in your carrier directory.

Out of network – If your best fit is OON, request a superbill and submit a member claim. Examples: Blue Shield enrollee claim submission and UHC member claims.

College students in San Diego

UC San Diego – Student Health Services Pharmacy accepts e-prescriptions including from external providers and can mail within California [18].

SDSU – SDSU Student Health Services does not provide new ADHD evaluations or routine stimulant prescribing; students are referred off campus or must provide prior documentation for limited continuation policies [19].

Telehealth vs. in-person – what is common in San Diego

Telehealth is the default starting point across San Diego. California law requires documented consent and you can request in person at any time [3].

Choose in person when there are complex co-occurring conditions, vitals or ECG are needed before stimulants, or you need easier school testing coordination. Pro tip: if stimulants are likely, ask how the clinic handles initial prescribing, refill cadence, and pharmacy coordination. Telemedicine flexibilities are extended through 12/31/2025 and clinics still follow CURES steps [6] [4].

Local verification checklist – hire only legit pros

Physicians and psychiatrists – verify license with the Medical Board of California [20].
Psychologists – verify license with the California Board of Psychology [21].
Therapists (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC) – verify with the Board of Behavioral Sciences [22].

Your San Diego short-list script

Open: “Hi, I am in San Diego and seeking an ADHD evaluation for [adult or child]. Do you offer intake by video and what is your earliest appointment?”
Confirm: “Do you collect second rater scales before the visit and can I send prior records?”
Medication policy: “If medication is indicated, how do you handle CURES checks, initial prescribing, and follow ups?” (CURES consultation is required in California) [4].
Pharmacy: “If my pharmacy is out of stock, can you help me use the one time EPCS transfer for the initial fill?” [12].
Insurance: “I am on [Kaiser or Sharp or PPO or Medi-Cal]. Can you confirm network status, costs, and any prior authorization for testing?”

Region-specific FAQs

Do most San Diego clinics start with telehealth

Yes, most start by video then bring you in when needed. Your consent must be documented [3].

How often are stimulant follow ups

Expect several short visits in the first 6 to 8 weeks for dose adjustments, then a regular cadence. Schedule II meds cannot be refilled and may be issued as sequential e-prescriptions with the appropriate “do not fill before” dates [11].

What if I am uninsured

Call the County’s 24/7 Access & Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 for triage and referrals [8].

How our vetted list helps

We include clinicians with an active California license, transparent stimulant policies, e-prescribing and CURES-compliant workflows, and experience coordinating with schools or workplaces. We also track wait times and telehealth availability so you can book quickly.

Sources – expand to view

ADHD Testing & Treatment in San Diego

TL;DR – move fast with confidence

ADHD testing & diagnosis in San Diego

San Diego checklist – bring these to your first visit

Medication management in California – San Diego specifics

San Diego medication checklist

Pharmacy logistics in central and North County

Insurance & costs in San Diego – fast path by plan type

Kaiser Permanente Southern California

Sharp Health Plan – local HMO

Medi-Cal in San Diego County

PPOs – Anthem, Blue Shield CA, Aetna, UHC, Cigna

College students in San Diego

Telehealth vs. in-person – what is common in San Diego

Local verification checklist – hire only legit pros

Your San Diego short-list script

Region-specific FAQs

How our vetted list helps

ADHD Specialists in San Diego

Dr. Todd B. Young, MD

Dr. Dave S. Auluck, MD (“The Focus Doc”)

Dr. Lori Rappaport, PhD

Roxanne Fouché, ACC

ADHD Center for Success

KMG Psychiatry

San Diego Adult ADHD, Anxiety & Depression Center

Mental Health Center of San Diego

True Life Center

BOLD Health

Aloha Integrative Health

UCSD Child & Teen Psychiatry Program

Pacific Mind Health – ADHD Clinic

Hilber Psychological Services (Group Practice)