Insurance. Element Dermatology accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare. If Element Dermatology does not participate with a patient's plan, full payment is required at each visit. If a patient is insured but does not have a current insurance card, full payment is required until coverage is verified. It is the responsibility of the patient or guarantor to understand their insurance benefits, including referrals, authorizations, and covered services and to contact the insurance provider with any questions.
Co-payments. All co-payments must be paid at the time of service as required by the insurance provider. Accepted payment methods are cash, check, and debit/credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Discover or American Express).
Non-covered services. Some services may not be covered by insurance providers. If a service is not covered, the patient or guarantor will be responsible for full payment at the time of service.
Proof of Insurance. All patients must complete registration before seeing a provider. A copy of a valid form of identification and current insurance card is required as proof of insurance. If incorrect insurance information delays claim processing, the patient or guarantor may be responsible for the balance.
Insurance Processing. Insurance companies may require patients to provide additional information directly, and it is the patient’s responsibility to comply with such requests. Any remaining balance after insurance processing is the patient or guarantor’s responsibility, regardless of whether the claim is paid. Insurance benefits are a contract between the patient and their insurance company; Element Dermatology is not a party to that contract. Laboratory analysis, including specimens sent to an external lab, may be billed separately.
Forwarding Payments. Unless the patient is a minor, the patient is considered the guarantor of the account and is responsible for payment, regardless of the insurance subscriber. If the patient is a minor, the parent or legal guardian assumes responsibility for payment. Bills will not be forwarded to other parties, including in cases of court rulings or divorce decrees, unless a court order specifically directs Element Dermatology to do so.
Coverage Changes. Patients or guarantors should notify Element Dermatology of any insurance changes prior to services to avoid coverage issues.
Outstanding Balances. If an account is over 60 days past due, payment will be required prior to future appointments. If an account is over 90 days past due, the guarantor will
receive a letter stating that there are 15 days to pay the account in full. Failure to settle the balance would result in further collection efforts.
Card on File. Element Dermatology requires a valid credit card to be kept on file. This card may be used to cover co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, cosmetic treatments, no-show fees, or any outstanding balances not paid by insurance. Charges will only be made after claims have been processed and any patient responsibility has been determined. The patient will be notified of any balance due prior to the card being charged. Card information will be handled with the highest level of security and confidentiality.
Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation. Element Dermatology does not bill third-party liability claims. Patients seeking treatment related to these matters are responsible for payment at the time of service. These visits will be considered self-pay, and any attempt at reimbursement from a third-party payer must be arranged directly by the patient. Alternatively, patients may choose to use their health insurance benefits, if applicable, for coverage. It is the patient’s responsibility to understand their insurance policy and ensure appropriate documentation is submitted to any third-party payer for reimbursement purposes.
Missed Appointments. To ensure efficient, high-quality care, appointments must be attended or canceled at least 24 hours in advance. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for all future appointments. This charge is the patient or guarantor's responsibility and must be paid when scheduling another appointment. A second missed appointment or cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice will result in dismissal from care. In the event of an actual emergency and prior notice cannot be given, consideration will be given, and a one-time exception may be granted.