How Much Does a Professional Health Program Evaluation Cost in Georgia?
Cost is one of the first practical questions licensed professionals ask when they receive a PHP referral. It is a fair question and one that deserves a direct answer.
PHP evaluation costs in Georgia vary depending on the scope of the evaluation, the profession, and the specific requirements of your licensing board. AACS Atlanta offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
For a full overview of the PHP process before reviewing costs, see our Complete Guide to Professional Health Programs in Georgia.
What Affects the Cost of a PHP Evaluation?
Several factors influence the total cost of a Professional Health Program evaluation in Georgia:
- Scope of the evaluation: A standard PHP evaluation covers a structured clinical interview, DSM-5-TR diagnostic assessment, functional impact analysis, and a written board-ready report. Some licensing boards require expanded evaluations that include records review, collateral interviews, or psychological testing these add time and cost.
- Profession and board requirements: Different Georgia licensing boards have different documentation requirements. A Georgia Composite Medical Board evaluation for a physician may require more extensive documentation than a nursing board evaluation. The evaluation scope is calibrated to what your specific board requires.
- Report turnaround: Standard turnaround is typically 5–10 business days. Expedited reports needed when a board deadline is pressing are available with faster turnaround and may carry an additional fee.
- Treatment components: The evaluation itself is one cost. If treatment is recommended following the evaluation, treatment fees are separate. AACS Atlanta offers IOP and outpatient counseling in-house at rates that are competitive with the Georgia market.
Does Insurance Cover PHP Evaluations in Georgia?
PHP evaluations are professional licensing evaluations, not clinical treatment services in the traditional insurance sense. Most major insurance plans do not cover PHP evaluations as a standalone service.
However, if treatment is recommended following the evaluation, many treatment services at AACS Atlanta, including IOP and outpatient counseling, are covered by major insurance plans, including:
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Georgia Medicaid (select services)
AACS Atlanta’s billing team verifies coverage before services begin. Call to confirm your specific plan’s coverage before scheduling.
For the evaluation itself: Payment is due at the time of service. AACS Atlanta accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Payment plans are available for professionals who need flexibility. Contact the office to discuss options.
PHP Cost vs. The Cost of Not Acting
This is the comparison that matters most.
A PHP evaluation at AACS Atlanta costs a fraction of what delayed or avoided action typically costs a licensed professional in Georgia.
Consider what non-compliance or avoidance actually costs:
- Legal representation: Attorney fees for licensing board proceedings typically range from $5,000 to $25,000+, depending on complexity and duration.
- License suspension: Even a temporary suspension means lost income. A physician earning $300,000 annually loses $25,000 per month during a suspension. A nurse earning $75,000 loses over $6,000 per month.
- NPDB reporting: A formal disciplinary action reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank follows a physician or nurse for their entire career, affecting hospital privileges, malpractice insurance rates, and license applications in other states.
- Permanent license revocation: The most severe outcome ends a career entirely, representing the complete loss of the professional’s lifetime earning potential in their field.
A PHP evaluation is an investment in protecting everything that a career represents. The cost of acting early is always lower than the cost of waiting.
PHP Evaluation Cost at AACS Atlanta: What You Get
Every PHP evaluation at AACS Atlanta includes:
- Comprehensive clinical interview (60–90 minutes) with a licensed, experienced clinician
- DSM-5-TR diagnostic assessment using validated clinical instruments
- ASAM multidimensional assessment (for substance use evaluations)
- Functional impact analysis addressing fitness for professional practice
- Written board-ready clinical report in the format your licensing board requires
- Coordination with your licensing board or monitoring program as needed
- Follow-up clinical consultation to review findings (where needed)
25+ years of experience. Same-day appointments available. Telehealth accepted.
Payment Options at AACS Atlanta
AACS Atlanta offers flexible payment options for licensed professionals:
- Full payment at time of service: Accepted via credit card, debit card, or cash
- Payment plans: available for professionals who need to spread costs over time
- Insurance billing for treatment services: IOP and outpatient counseling billed to most major plans
Contact AACS Atlanta to discuss your specific situation and confirm pricing before scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions: PHP Cost in Georgia
Can I use my FSA or HSA to pay for a PHP evaluation?
In many cases, yes. FSA and HSA funds can typically be used for clinical evaluation services. Confirm with your FSA/HSA administrator before payment.
Will my employer pay for a PHP evaluation?
Some hospital systems and healthcare employers cover PHP evaluation costs as part of employee assistance programs. Check with your HR department or EAP coordinator. If your employer requires the evaluation, they may be required to cover it.
Is there a cost difference between in-person and telehealth evaluations?
No. AACS Atlanta charges the same rate for telehealth and in-person PHP evaluations. The clinical process is identical the delivery format does not change the price.
What if I cannot afford the evaluation?
Contact AACS Atlanta directly. Payment plans are available, and the team can work with you on a realistic payment schedule. Delaying a board-required evaluation due to cost concerns creates greater risk than the evaluation cost itself.
Schedule Your PHP Evaluation
AACS Atlanta provides board-ready PHP evaluations for licensed professionals across Georgia. Same-day appointments available. Telehealth accepted by Georgia licensing boards.
