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Aspen Dermatology & Aesthetics
Medical (or general) dermatology is the study and treatment of conditions affecting the skin, hair and nails.
The board-certified physicians at Aspen Dermatology treat patients of all ages with care and attention, understanding that the medical interpretation of external symptoms can often point to internal disorders that require diagnosis and treatment as well.
Acne remains the most common skin disorder in the U.S. affecting adults as well as teens.
Additionally, our physicians consult on hair loss, nail problems, psoriasis, itching, skin discoloration, spider veins, warts, mole changes and much more.
The importance of treating skin conditions as they appear cannot be overstated. Not only can skin irregularities signal cancer or other serious diseases, but some conditions can lead to greater health complications if left untreated. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by a red, scaly rash as a result of excess skin cell growth, buildup and inflammation. This inflammation can affect other tissues and has been linked to a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, metabolic syndrome and other inflammation-caused conditions.
Melanocytes are epidermal cells that secrete melanin, a pigmented substance that affects skin color. A higher concentration of melanin point to darker skin tones while conditions such as vitiligo and albinism signal melanocytes that lack or have lost the ability to produce melanin, resulting in whitish patches or total loss of pigment. Hyperpigmentation is the excess production of melanin that results in dark patches. At Aspen, we treat skin discoloration of all varieties to achieve an even, healthy looking skin tone.
Co-pays are due at the time of service. The copay charge is part of an agreement you have with your insurance company. We are required to request you pay your co-pay prior to service. The co-pay due is generally printed on your insurance card.
Many insurance companies have a separate specialist copay written in to their policies. In other words, they require a higher copay when you see a specialist. Although we disagree with these higher copays, we are obligated to collect the copay amount your insurance policy assigns.
Every return visit is a follow up visit, whether it occurs in a few weeks or several months from the initial visit. All office visits, with the following exception, require a copay. The only time you don’t have a copay for a return visit is when you are in a surgical global period. This occurs when you have had a surgical visit and are returning for care related to that surgery such as suture removal or concerns about the incision. If you return to the office during a global period for an unrelated concern or procedure, you will be charged a copay per your agreement with your insurance carrier.
Although our doctors are very proficient at looking at skin lesions and determining if they are suspicious, they cannot know for sure if a lesion is malignant without a pathological examination. The tissue must be examined to determine whether it is benign or malignant. If malignant, the examination also tells us what type of malignancy and how much it has spread.
The removal of any lesion without pathological examination is not consistent with the standard of care for board certified physicians. The pathology exam is a protection for both the patient and the physician.
Office visits rates are charged not only for the time involved, but for many other components. The doctor’s visit itself may not be lengthy, but requires the doctor to exam you and make a diagnosis based on many years of education and experience. A diagnosis that is quick for one of our doctors to make, might be puzzling to another who is not skilled in dermatology. Essentially, patients request the doctor to formulate an opinion and treat their condition, whether it takes just a moment or involves a longer time.
Board Certified Top 5% of Medical Specialists in the Work +90% Satisfaction Rating