Making regular visits to a dermatologist is necessary for some people. If you’ve never been to the dermatologist and suddenly a need arises where you need to schedule a visit, you may be wondering how much the visit will cost. Does a dermatologist take insurance? Does insurance even cover treatment for skin conditions?
So, what does it cost to see a dermatologist? The average charge for one dermatologist visit is $200 if you don’t have health insurance. With health insurance, you may be able to get the majority of the charge covered. Dermatologist prices can vary depending on location, specialty, and other competition within the area.
While you may be apprehensive to visit the dermatologist due to the cost, the health of your skin is important. By visiting the dermatologist when you should, skin conditions can be diagnosed and treated early on, saving you from a lot of pain and insecurity down the line. To learn more about the prices of visiting a dermatologist, keep reading.
What Determines the Cost of Your Dermatologist?
The price of your dermatologist visit will be determined by a few different factors. It’s important to keep these in mind when looking for a dermatologist.
Do You Have Health Insurance?
Whether or not you have health insurance will play a big part in determining how much you’re going to have to pay at your dermatologist visit. If you’re insured through a major insurance carrier, the insurance payment will most likely be accepted. If you have health insurance, the amount you have to pay at the dermatologist will be determined by the insurance plan and premium that you have. Contact your insurance provider beforehand to see what they offer.
If you don’t have health insurance, you can expect to pay a much larger sum when it comes time to visit the dermatologist. While one dermatologist visit only costs a few hundred dollars, that number can quickly become larger if you require treatment or procedure.
Before you decide on what dermatologist you want to use, ask whether or not they have a payment plan. A payment plan will allow you to pay your dermatologist bill over the course of a few months to help ease the burden of the charge.
Talking about health insurance and what it does and does not cover, check out our article, Can My Health Insurance Cover a Massage?
Where is Your Dermatologist Located?
Dermatologist prices can vary based on their location. This can apply nationally and locally. Dermatologists will naturally be more expensive in areas where the cost of living is higher. You can expect dermatologists on the West Coast and the East Coast to be much more expensive compared to dermatologists in the South and the Midwest of the United States.
At a smaller level, a dermatologist providing services in a rural area may be cheaper compared to a dermatologist located in the city. A dermatologist in the city probably has many more patients compared to a rural dermatologist.
Are You Visiting a Specialized Dermatologist?
Do you have a skin condition that requires specialized care? There are different types of dermatologists; a general dermatologist has experience treating common skin conditions and providing guidance on how to take care of your skin. A specialized dermatologist focuses on certain types of skin conditions. By visiting a specialized dermatologist, you can get more effective treatments and guidance.
A specialized dermatologist visit will cost more than a general dermatologist visit. As with any field, the more specialized it gets, the more expensive it gets. A specialized dermatologist will be able to pinpoint the cause of your skin condition and provide you with effective treatments much more easily than a general dermatologist could.
If you need to visit a dermatologist but you’re having difficulty choosing one, click here to read 5 Tips for Choosing the Right Dermatologist.
Is Dermatologist Competition High In Your Area?
As you look for a dermatologist, do there seem to be many dermatologist’s offices in your area? When there’s more competition, you’ll have more options in choosing a dermatologist that provides services for a good price. If there is little to no competition, your options will be limited.
If you live in an area where your options are limited, try expanding your search to nearby towns and cities. While you may have to travel a little way, you could potentially save a lot of money.
If you do choose a dermatologist that’s a little farther away, the drive time will give you a lot of time to think. Read our article, How Do I Maintain My Brain’s Health? to learn how you could use this time wisely.
How Often Should You Visit the Dermatologist?
You should visit the dermatologist at least once a year, even if you don’t have any known skin condition. The main reason for visiting the dermatologist once a year is for preventative care. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer there is; while treatment has a high success rate, the later it’s diagnosed, the bigger the problem you’ll have.
By visiting the dermatologist once a year, you’ll be getting a thorough skin exam. Anything that looks unusual to the dermatologist will be biopsied and tested. If you have a known skin condition, you may visit the dermatologist much more throughout the year.
What Happens at a Dermatologist Appointment?
If you’ve never been to a dermatologist appointment before, you may be wondering what exactly happens. Keep reading to learn what you can expect from your dermatologist visit.
Medical History
When you first get to the dermatologist’s office, you’ll be asked to fill out a form about your medical history. While some of this may not seem important, your skin can be affected by the most minute things. If the doctor has a clear and thorough record of your history, it will make it easier for them to diagnose your skin condition.
Believe it or not, but some skin conditions are hereditary. Skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, and lupus are all hereditary skin conditions. (You can learn more about psoriasis here.) For this reason, the dermatologist may ask you to verify your parent’s medical history if known.
Personal History
Don’t be freaked out if your dermatologist starts asking you personal questions. Your daily routines, energy level and activities can play a big role in the condition of your skin. A dermatologist will want to find the root of your skin condition; what caused it and where did it come from. They aren’t asking you personal questions to be nosy, but to try and figure out what is causing the condition.
Skin Exam
Your dermatologist visit will include a full-body skin exam. Your skin is the largest organ you have, so it’s important that it is thoroughly examined. This part of the visit can be the most nerve-wracking for those who have never visited the dermatologist, but it is necessary to know the health of your skin.
As the dermatologist does the skin exam, they may use certain tools to better examine your skin. A magnifying glass will be used to help the doctor examine areas of your skin more thoroughly. A special light will also be used so that the dermatologist can see the condition of your skin.
Skin Biopsy
Skin BiopsyIf the dermatologist finds something on your skin that they aren’t familiar with or looks as if it may be linked to skin cancer or another skin condition, they will do a biopsy. A biopsy is when the doctor takes a sample of the skin and sends it away to be tested. This is the most effective way to get a diagnosis.
Just because you have a biopsy doesn’t mean you need to start panicking. It’s important to think of a biopsy as part of the treatment process for your skin condition; the first step of treatment is finding out exactly what you’re supposed to be treated for.
If you get a biopsy done, it will take a few days to get the results back. The dermatologist’s office will contact you once they have the results to discuss the results of the biopsy.
We hope this article was helpful in preparing you for your dermatologist visit. We have many articles geared to answering questions that you can’t seem to find an answer.
This article was sponsored by Skin Care Physicians of Georgia, a dermatologist in Macon, GA. They specialize in a wide range of skincare solutions, from acne treatments and MOHS surgery to beauty aesthetics.You can visit their Macon Dermatologist website here.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to See a Dermatologist: Complete Guide? ›
If you're insured, the co-pay to make a dermatology office visit usually costs between $20 and $40, but you often need to undergo a process to schedule an appointment. For patients with no insurance, an initial consultation will cost an estimated $150. In rural areas, some patients may need to pay more.
Does a dermatologist involve a great deal of routine? ›A typical day for a dermatologist involves patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. The average workday of a dermatologist is about eight to ten hours and can mean seeing up to 50 patients per day. On a typical day, a clinical dermatologist will get to the office about 1 hour before patients arrive and attend didactics.
Will a dermatologist look at my whole body? ›A dermatologist will typically perform a full-body skin exam.
How do I get the most out of my dermatologist? ›- Check your insurance coverage.
- Take a daily #nomakeup #nofilter selfie.
- Snap pics of your products.
- Keep a daily food, stress, and period diary.
- Make a list of questions and concerns.
- Arrive makeup-free, not skincare-free.
- Be prepared to get naked.
- Take notes.
Some dermatologists do a full-body exam in every sense of the phrase, including genital and perianal skin. Others address these areas only if a patient specifically requests them. If you've noted any concerning spots in this area, raise them.
Why is seeing a dermatologist so hard? ›Click here to see which states we're in. One of the main reasons for long wait times is a simple issue of supply and demand. The US is experiencing a shortage of dermatologists, particularly in rural areas where patients may need to travel long distances to access a dermatologist.
How many times should I see my dermatologist? ›As part of a complete early detection strategy, we recommend that you see a dermatologist once a year, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full-body, professional skin exam. To help you prepare and make the most of your appointment, follow these five simple steps.
Can a dermatologist tell me what kind of skin I have? ›To tell your skin type, you can try the day test or the wash test. You can also see a dermatologist who can examine your skin. This can help you care for your skin with products that work with it rather than against it.
Will a dermatologist remove a mole on the first visit? ›In most cases, your dermatologist will perform the procedure during the same appointment that they examine the mole. It's a routine procedure, and your dermatologist probably performs a few each week. At the Dermatology Institute of Southern California, we're ready to guide you through the process of removing a mole.
What body part does dermatologist focus on? ›A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails.
What not to say to a dermatologist? ›
- "I wear sunscreen every day." ...
- "I wash my makeup off every night." ...
- "I have never used a tanning booth." ...
- "I won't exercise after in-office treatments." ...
- "You are the first doctor I've seen for this." ...
- "I don't douche." ...
- "I promise, I am not pregnant." ...
- "I eat a balanced diet."
Your geographic location, the specialties of the dermatologist, and your own condition will influence the cost. Location: Dermatologists consider the area they practice in when determining how much they should charge: the cost of living, economic conditions, their competition, and the local patient base.
Should you moisturize before going to the dermatologist? ›Another common misconception about going to see a dermatologist is about wearing lotion and other skin moisturizers. It is perfectly acceptable to perform your normal daily grooming habits such as wearing sunscreen and moisturizers. Wearing these products will not prevent your dermatologist from examining your skin.
Will a dermatologist look at your groin? ›Yes, everywhere. From the top of the head down to in-between toes, including the groin area and buttocks.
What is it called when a doctor looks at your private parts? ›A pelvic exam is where a doctor or nurse practitioner looks at a girl's reproductive organs (both outside and internally).
Can you say no to a doctor checking your privates? ›You always have the right to refuse to answer certain questions or to decline a physical examination of any part of your body. You are the one in charge and nothing should happen without your consent. You also have the right to withdraw consent and stop your examination at any point.
Can I ask my dermatologist for a skin care routine? ›Rather than reading the fine print, go straight to the pros and enlist your dermatologist to recommend what's right for you. "From which cleansers to use, to which vitamin C and sunscreen, to which lasers to consider," Dr. King says, "your dermatologist is the perfect resource to answer these questions."
What to expect at a routine dermatologist appointment? ›You'll be asked about your medical and surgical history, medications, health problems, etc. To your dermatologist, the answers are all relevant, even issues that aren't directly related to your skin. “If it's your first visit, your dermatologist will most likely do a full body exam,” Dr. Kaporis said.
What do dermatologists usually do? ›Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in skin, hair and nails. Dermatologists also handle cosmetic disorders, like hair loss and scars. Your dermatologist will examine you, order lab tests, make a diagnosis and treat your condition with medication or a procedure.
Is being a dermatologist repetitive? ›Repetitive work
It's possible many of your appointments may focus on the same problems. Because conditions like acne and hair loss are common, you might make the same diagnoses and offer similar treatments to many of your patients.