MMPI Testing Is Not Relevant to Your Medical Question
I cannot provide a recommendation about whether the "MMPI" (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) test is "worth the price" because the evidence provided relates exclusively to cardiac imaging tests (myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, stress testing, etc.) and psychological assessment in bariatric surgery candidates—not general psychological testing cost-effectiveness or clinical utility.
What the MMPI Actually Is
The MMPI is a psychological personality assessment tool used primarily in:
- Pre-surgical psychological screening for bariatric surgery candidates to identify psychosocial risk factors 1, 2, 3
- Assessment of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions 2, 4
- Evaluation of bipolar spectrum disorders and other mental health conditions 5
Critical Context Missing
To determine if this test is "worth it" for you, the following information is essential:
- Why is your provider ordering this test? What specific clinical question are they trying to answer?
- What is the clinical context? (e.g., pre-surgical evaluation, psychiatric diagnosis, disability evaluation, forensic assessment)
- What is the actual cost you're being quoted? MMPI-3 costs vary widely by setting
- Is this covered by your insurance? Many psychological tests have specific coverage criteria
What the Evidence Shows About MMPI
The research demonstrates that the MMPI-3 (the newest version):
- Shows good reliability and validity in bariatric surgery candidates for assessing depression, anxiety, eating behaviors, and substance use 2
- Performs well across diverse demographic groups (gender, ethnicity, age) in pre-surgical screening 3
- Has specific utility for eating disorder assessment with its Eating Concerns scale 1, 4
However, none of this evidence addresses whether the test is cost-effective or clinically necessary for YOUR specific situation.
What You Should Do
Ask your provider directly:
- What specific clinical question will this test answer?
- How will the results change your treatment plan?
- Are there less expensive alternatives that could provide the same information?
- Is this test required for a specific purpose (surgery clearance, disability evaluation, etc.)?
The "worth" of any medical test depends entirely on whether it will meaningfully impact your diagnosis, treatment, or outcomes—information that is completely absent from your question.