Financial Policy

Thank you for choosing Midwest Dermatology for your dermatology needs. Below you will find an explanation of our financial and insurance policies. We believe that a good physician/patient relationship is based upon good understanding and clear communication.

Patients/guarantors are responsible for understanding their insurance benefits. We may be able to help explain your insurance, but it is always best for you to speak with them directly as we do not have your plan agreement available to us. For example, many procedures performed in our office may apply towards your deductible or co-insurance. These are expenses that are beyond your specialist copay.

We do not bill preventative service codes. Dermatology is a “problem oriented” specialty, and we only address and treat one body system, “the skin”, therefore we do not meet the criteria required to bill preventative codes. You will need to know what your insurance responsibility may be.

All biopsies and mole removals performed in our office may be submitted for pathology for analysis. Some of the tissue may be processed by our in-office lab or sent to an outside pathology lab. Please note that depending on your benefits, you might receive a separate bill for pathology. Tests and treatments performed in our office are necessary to ensure proper diagnosis and care for our patients. Below are some examples of procedures (classified as surgery by most insurance companies) that could be applied towards your deductible or co-insurance.

1. Biopsies and lesion removals. This includes all excision for skin cancer and atypical moles or benign lesions.

2. Liquid nitrogen for the destruction of lesions (warts and pre-cancerous lesions)

3. Injections of any kind.

INSURANCE CARDS

Patients are required to present their current insurance card at each appointment. Our front desk staff will copy or scan the card for our records. We are happy to file all insurance claims as a courtesy for our patients. By providing accurate information, we will be able to provide this service and ensure prompt, accurate payment from the insurance company. Failure to provide accurate insurance information will result in the patient or guarantor being responsible for the bill in full. Patients who only have a digital copy of their card will be required to email this to our billing department either prior to your visit or at the time of check in.

CONFIRMATION OF IDENTITY

Patients will be asked to present a photo ID (current driver’s license or government issued photo ID) at each visit. Identities of a parent or guardian must be presented for children under the age of 19.

FINANCIAL POLICIES

Payment in full is due on the day of the patient visit for the portion of the fees not covered by insurance including co-pays, deductibles, self-pay patients and all cosmetic procedure charges.

All new patients, patients who have not been seen in 3 years or more,  or patients scheduled for a cosmetic procedure who NO SHOW or Cancel the Day of the appointment are subject to a $50.00 fee.

• Co-Pay – Patients will be asked to pay any co-pay as required by their insurance company at check-in. We accept cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We cannot waive a copay. Copay, co-insurance, deductibles and items processed as “non-covered” by your insurance company will be your responsibility.

• Unpaid Balance – If a patient has a prior balance on their account, they will be asked to pay it at check-in. Any other payment arrangement must have the prior approval of the billing department.

• Cosmetic Procedures – Payment is due in full at the time of check-in for procedures that are cosmetic and not covered by insurance. No showing or last-minute cancellations for cosmetic procedures are subject to a $50.00 fee.

• Surgery Fees – All co-pays and deductibles are due at the time of surgery.

• Delinquent Accounts Past due balances may be turned over to a collection agency and a fee could be added to your account. Patients who have been turned over to a collection agency will be required to pay the balance, as well as prepay all services for any follow-up care, regardless of insurance coverage.

• Returned Checks – A $25.00 fee will be added to a patient account if a check is returned for insufficient funds.

• Pathology & lab fees – If your visit includes biopsies or lab tests, these specimens could be sent out for processing. You will receive a separate bill from the laboratory performing the services. You are responsible to notify us if your insurance company requires that we send your specimens to a particular lab, in order for your insurance to cover it.

Knowing your insurance benefits is your responsibility. If problems arise regarding insurance coverage issues, we will work with you to help resolve them. However, please be advised that you are ultimately financially responsible for payment of medical services rendered in this office.

Patients are required to sign a financial policy stating that they understand that individuals are financially responsible for and agree to pay charges not paid by their insurance company.