MDS Certified Driving Evaluation: Overview
With MDS, a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) who is also a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) performs a certified medical driving evaluation (CDE) in the convenience and comfort of client’s residence. If needed, an on-road assessment is also completed on local roadways in a 2023 Ford Edge SEL equipped with passenger side safety brake, back up camera, and other safety features.
What Does a CDE Cost?
CDEs are not covered by medical insurance, therefore, they are an out-of-pocket expense. MDS’s CDE is competitively priced and costs $150.00 per hour. The total amount each client pays is very variable and is based on each individual’s specific needs. MDS is based in Sarasota and its service area is Sarasota County. Clients who live beyond the service area will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Clients beyond the service area will be subject to an additional fee to cover the cost of travel to and from client’s residence.
In most cases, a CDE will take ~3 hours to complete, including all in-residence as well as on-road testing. This means client can expect to pay on average ~$450.00 for a typical CDE. In some cases, client may require additional on-road time for testing and/or training, which would result in additional cost. For example, client may need additional time for rehabilitation and/or for adaptive equipment evaluation, training, and prescription.
In residence testing includes a physical mobility assessment, thinking skills assessment (including knowledge of basic traffic signs), and vision assessment (visual acuity far, peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision). Based on information gained from these assessments, evaluator determines whether or not it is appropriate to complete on-road assessment(s). The results of all assessments are shared with the client and the physician who wrote the order for the client to be evaluated. No information is shared with the State department of motor vehicles unless the client or physician requests it.
How To Get Started?
There are multiple ways to get started! (1.) Call us! (2.) Email us! (3.) Fax us a physician order for a medical driving evaluation. (4.) Fax us a copy of your State medical review letter requesting a CDE be completed.