(This information is
subject to change
without notice)
Insurance
We
currently participate in
Medicare, Horizon (Blue
cross/Blue shield) and soon some Multiplan insurances. We will be happy
to
submit charges to insurance plans we do not participate in, but only
for
covered charges over $200.00.
Referrals
and pre-approvals
During consultation it may be determined you need a special
dermatology procedure for treatment of a wart, growth or rash. These
procedures
will not be done at the time of your first visit because of scheduling
limitations and insurance plan rules. Some treatments are not covered
by
insurance plans where they consider the problem "cosmetic". If this
may apply to you, you will be given a form explaining it in more detail.
Appointments
Appointments are scheduled Mondays through Friday in our TomsRiver
office until 3 pm.
Two or three weeks is the usual
wait for
a normal visits, but urgent appointments can often be worked in within
24 hours
on the Website or if requested by a referring doctor. Call at 9 am
to try to get a same day
appointment.
Calls
and Refills
For refills on prescriptions please call during regular
office hours and leave a detailed message. Please do not call
after-hours or on
weekends for refills. You should allow 48 hours for the refill to be
called in.
Calls for problems and complications will be returned the same day. The
doctor
can be reached 24 hours a day for emergency situations. Complex forms
that are not part of an office visit (including pre-approvals for
medications) may be charge $10 per page.
Our
minimum initial
consultation fee for new patients is $85,
and for established patients is $55. This may vary depending on the
"level" of the visit. The level is a "CPT code" for a
consultation or office visit that is based on the type and difficulty
of the
problem and occasionally, the time spent (if an unusual amount of time
is
needed). There are five levels for fees. They range from simple exams
that
didn't really need a doctor (level 1 -- removing stitches, checking
blood
pressure) to complex problems that require a comprehensive, in-depth
exam
(level 5). The CPT code for exams is a 5-digit number starting in 99
and ending
in 1 - 5.
A
list of several small
items, such as checking several
moles or refills on old prescriptions, will usually increase the exam
one
level. This will still happens even if they only each take a short time.
Fees
for procedures --
anything more than an exam -- are in
addition to the consultation. The procedure fees below are
approximations only.
Our fees do not exceed the "reasonable and customary" fees as defined
by most insurance companies. If your insurance company claims our fees
are
excessive, don't assume they are accurate.
The
new patient exam fee is
not included in the examples
below. It is separate on the actual bill. Your insurance may rebundle
this and
not pay the full bill, but the charges are still proper.
Burning
off a warts or
growths usually starts at $70. There
is an additional charge for each wart up to a maximum. Repeat visits
are less.
Diagnostic
biopsies are an
additional $70 and up plus lab
fees. Removal of moles depends on the size, shape and location. Simple
"shave" removal starts at $70. If larger -- or if it needs to be
stitched -- it is more often $150 to $300.
Skin
cancers removal starts
at $100 more than mole removal.
Mohs and Cosmetic closure is more and if complex surgery including a
skin flap
or graft is needed (which is not often) it may be over $1000.
Sclerotherapy
of leg veins
is $190 to $250 per treatment.
One to three treatments are usually needed, and will not be done at the
initial
visit.