Insurance Coverage and Your Dermatology Visit: What to Know
Insurance Coverage and Your Dermatology Visit: What to Know
For many people, doctor and dermatologist visits are part of a yearly routine. It is likely that during one or more of those visits you have been surprised by either a co-payment due at the time of the visit, or a bill that appears months after your appointment that you were not expecting. The dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute never want you to be surprised by either of these. We want to help you become knowledgeable about what you may or may not be financially responsible for when visiting us. Below you will learn more about insurance and what to financially expect before and after your appointment.
What is Insurance?
Health insurance covers medical expenses for illnesses and conditions. Without it, a procedure that may cost you $150 out-of-pocket with insurance may run into the thousands of dollars. Health insurance can be provided by an employer or purchased on your own, which often has higher premiums.
When visiting the dermatologist for a checkup or for a procedure, proof of insurance coverage will need to be shown prior to the appointment. Most general dermatology procedures are covered by insurance, but the out-of-pocket cost to the patient varies based on the insurance provider.
A common out-of-pocket expense may be a co-payment. Co-payments are determined by your insurance provider and can range from no co-payment up to $75 or more. There are also different co-payments based on if you see your normal doctor or a specialty doctor, such as a dermatologist. The co-payment is typically printed on your insurance card. This balance is due at the time you check in for your appointment. Afterwards, patients are often responsible for a portion of their visit with the dermatologist. Although, it depends on what you are seeing the dermatologist for.
What is Covered by Insurance at my Dermatology Appointment?
If your appointment is medically necessary, based on your insurance, portions of the visit will financially be covered by your insurance and other portions will be billed to you after your visit. Medically necessary visits may include surgical services such as Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical incisions.
It also includes your typical checkup or a checkup for warts, alopecia, vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema and more. What is often not covered are cosmetic services. Since these are deemed cosmetic and not medically necessary, they are often a fully out-of-pocket expense. Cosmetic procedures may include laser therapies, microdermabrasion, Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels and more. The listed medical, surgical and cosmetic procedures should be used as a reference and all appointments should be discussed directly with your insurance provider regarding coverage.
Contact Us For Insurance Accepted
Contact us to find the insurance accepted at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute. Coverage is dependent on your individual benefits. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, please contact your carrier directly. Our dermatologists look forward to serving you and educating you on the medical, surgical and cosmetic procedures we provide our patients.