No insurance - wanting to have a specific mole looked at. Dermatologist recs?

[Anonymous]

For whatever reasons, I don't have health insurance at the moment. Can anyone recommend a dermatologist to look at one specific mole? Any ideas on what this would cost me?

Located in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

You don't need insurance for this-- go to aad.org and search for free skin cancer screenings in your area. I just searched and there's actually one in Alexandria this Monday!

[Anonymous]

If it's JUST doing a skin exam, it would be the cost of an office visit. If you have never seen the doctor before, the cost of a new patient is higher than an established patient.

[Anonymous]

Try to avoid the derms who cater to the cosmetic side of things (although I think the majority of those around these parts do cater to the cosmetic crowd) and focus more on the regular ones who are more concerned about the medical side of your health. Sorry, no recs--the ones I know started out on the medical side and started to focus on the cosmetic (think it brings in a whole lot more money).

[Anonymous]

Or one of the medical schools in the area would likely have a clinic at no or low cost....

[Anonymous]

Arias was OK. She's in Alexandria.
First they charged me 140.

Then said their was a mistake, and it was 86.00.
Actually sent me a refund.

I don't know if that was an insrance Co. negotiated rate though...

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, and the AAD link! I can't make the one on Monday, but I will definitely go to another one soon. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

If you attend a community college, I would go the Health Center. Many schools offer free or low cost health services there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arias was OK. She's in Alexandria.
First they charged me 140.

Then said their was a mistake, and it was 86.00.
Actually sent me a refund.

I don't know if that was an insrance Co. negotiated rate though...

17:20 here.

Sounds like you paid the full charge up front, even with insurance. The doc submitted the claim and insurance said "it's only $86." If the doc participates with your insurance, they are obligated to refund the money to you.

Do you have a high deductible plan?