Frequently Asked Questions
Dr Frew’s vision is to provide excellent patient care in the field of dermatology. The staff and providers in MoDerm constantly strive to make her vision a reality for you on a daily basis. Please review and be aware of the following FAQ’s:
Can I call for a same day appointment for an evaluation and diagnosis?
Yes – Please call as soon as possible if you are experiencing an urgent medical matter that needs to be evaluated by our practice. We will do our best to fit you into the schedule and see you as soon as we can. We are here to help you! If you are experiencing a true medical emergency – please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Can all my questions, concerns, and procedures be answered in a single visit?
No – No MoDerm provider will rush through one evaluation to get to another evaluation just to save a future co-payment. Your health is at stake and we take your health very seriously. We need to make sure that you understand your evaluation, your diagnosis, your treatment plan and the counseling that goes along with any of the medications (and side effects) that are prescribed for you.
In addition, we do not book a “sick visit” at the same time as a “wellness visit” (i.e. a comprehensive annual skin check).
Dr Frew (along with the American Academy of Dermatology) recommends that every patient undergo an annual skin check and believes the old adage “A stitch in time saves nine” i.e. early detection saves lives.
Can I have benign growths removed?
Yes – Many patients are bothered by numerous benign growths such as skin tags, raised moles, and benign keratoses. Although not billable through insurance, many growths can be removed at affordable rates by our providers. Our current self-pay rates are available for you to view here
Who do I contact in the event of an urgent matter?
Our practice is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Please contact us via text on the Klara HIPAA compliant app or call 212 – 379 – 6477 and have a provider paged if you have a medical question that needs to be answered promptly and cannot wait until the next business day. We will endeavor to answer your inquiry as soon as possible.
In our experience, our patients have always exercised the best judgment in determining when to page the on-call physician and when they can wait until the next business day.
Please note, however, if you are experiencing a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What is a co-pay and do I have to pay it for each visit?
Yes – On certain visits the ONLY payment that Modern Dermatology Pllc will receive from your insurance provider is the co-pay amount determined by your insurance company to be paid to MoDerm by you. All co-payments are due and payable on the date of service unless you have more than one insurance policy, the 2nd policy pays the co-pay for the 1st.
What is co-insurance?
Co-insurance is a percentage of the allowed amount due by the patient determined by their insurance carrier. If any secondary/tertiary insurance plan is available, this amount may be billed to that secondary/tertiary plan. No two insurance policies are exactly alike. Our best advice is to call your carrier before you book an appointment so you are aware of your coverage.
How much coverage will my insurance policy provide? How much am I responsible for paying?
Call your Insurance Carrier before your visit – Your insurance policy is individual to you and it decides how many dollars a visit to a specialist (such as a Dermatologist) will cost you out-of-pocket. If you have a high deductible plan please call your insurance company in advance of your visit and quote them the CPT codes – FYI – our self-pay rates rates may be less than the rates negotiated for you to pay by your insurance carrier – click here to see our 2020 self pay rates.
MoDerm are bound by our contract with your insurance company (not the same as your contract) to bill you pre-determined fees negotiated for any medically medically necessary procedures that are covered by your policy.
Will I be charged for a less than 24 hour cancelled appointment or if I “no-show”?
Yes – Every scheduled appointment occupies a time slot with a provider that could be utilized by another patient who is unwell or would like to undergo a comprehensive skin cancer screening examination. Our practice has decided not to double book or triple book our schedule so that everybody’s wait times are minimized. If you cancel/postpone/reschedule your appointment with less than 24 hours to go or “no show” we will automatically bill $ 25 to your account. Monday appointments must be rescheduled or cancelled before 4:30pm on Friday. If we fill your old time slot using our wait-list you will not be charged $ 25 so consider referring a friend or family member if you want to avoid the penalty charge. Courtesy is contagious and it starts with you.
Will I see the same doctor every time?
Yes – We hope to develop a strong lasting relationship of mutual respect and trust between our provider and you (as well as your nearest and dearest).