Visiting any medical specialist is daunting. This especially true if you’re unsure whether your insurance will cover all the costs. A dermatologist is one such specialist since they offer both medical and cosmetic skincare services. Take a look at our tips for your next dermatology visit for peace of mind.
Contact the Office Upfront
Before you even consider making an appointment, call the offices and find out if they accept your insurance. Most specialists take a wide range of plans. If they don’t accept yours, ask if they offer payment options to cover your consultation costs. Even if they can take your cover, keep in mind that you might need to co-pay for your visit.
Check Your Insurance Cover
If you know more or less what you need the dermatologist to do, then you can check if your plan covers that procedure. There are several health insurance options on HealthMarkets that may pay for medical-related skin issues but are unlikely to do so for cosmetic enhancements.
Some conditions that are usually included are:
- Skin cancer services. Treatments may consist of screenings, mole removal, and procedures such as Mohs surgery.
- Acne treatments could consist of light or laser therapy, topical creams, clinical facials, or dermatological chemical peels.
- Skin condition treatments for psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections, warts, and hives.
- Medications prescribed to treat skin problems. However, you should check the plan to be sure.
Difference Between Medical Treatment and a Cosmetic Procedure
Even though your dermatologist should know the difference between the two, it’s vital that you also learn. Medical treatment is considered to be necessary to keep you healthy. In contrast, a cosmetic procedure is thought of as an elective.
Insurance generally doesn’t cover any aesthetic therapy costs, and you would need to pay for these out of your pocket. However, the policies vary as to how they define cosmetics, so it’s best to first check with your provider.
Save up for Cosmetic Procedures
If your health plan doesn’t cover the procedure you want, start a savings account to build up enough funds to have it done in the future. Some cosmetic treatments include facials, tattoo erasing, and dermal fillers.
Others focus on stretch mark removal and wrinkle treatment. While they might be expensive, they are an investment in your appearance and confidence. The results are much better than over the counter remedies. Ultimately you could save on extra makeup and countless skincare products.
Do Your Research
Even though dermatologists are considered educated health professionals, they don’t always know everything. Do your research on your skin condition and treatment. Even cosmetic procedures require some investigation as the injectable compounds might not react well with certain medications or diets.
It’s essential to provide your dermatologists with as much lifestyle information as possible. In this way, you can check if your medical insurance may cover any alternative therapies to what your skin doctor recommends.
Final Thoughts
Going to a specialist can be expensive, and we often aren’t sure whether the insurance policy we have will cover the treatment needed. It’s best to contact the office upfront and find out whether they accept your health plan.
You can check your insurance coverage before the visit to find out which procedures are paid for. An important point to remember is that most insurers don’t pay for beautifying therapies, so learn the difference between aesthetic and medical treatments. If you want a cosmetic procedure, then save up for it and do it in the future.
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