The number of people visiting dermatologists has increased significantly over the past few years. Some people make routine, periodic visits while others have sporadic visits. The reasons for the visits also vary vastly from one person to the next. Due to this, many people who have valid health insurance plans question whether the cost of such visits to dermatologists is covered under their health insurance plans. Read on to know the answer to this common question.
What is Dermatology?
Before we uncover if the cost of the dermatologist visits is covered under the health insurance plans, we need to first understand what dermatology is.
Dermatology refers to that branch of medical science that deals with diseases and infections related to the skin. A dermatologist is the one who treats such infections and diseases by giving medicines and formulating treatment plans.
Some of these treatments like surgery or skin grafting can be expensive. Most of these treatment plans are also carried out over some time which can lead to medical bills piling up. It is important to know if these costs are covered under your health insurance plans so that the liability of settling these bills shifts from you to your insurer.
Does the Health Insurance Plan cover dermatology?
The answer to this question is yes. If you hold a valid health insurance policy then such costs can be filed as a claim. But as usual, there are inclusions and exclusions to this statement. Some of the treatments such as treatment for skin cancer can be covered under the critical insurance policy as well as cancer insurance policy, both of which are a type of health insurance plans available to you.
Sometimes, it also depends on the coverage provided by different insurance companies. Some companies cover just the hospitalization cost arising out of dermatologist visits and exclude the cost of outpatient care or daycare procedures, while other companies may cover all costs under this process. This is why you must read the terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully to avoid any stressful situation later.
Sometimes there are also other conditions such as the waiting period in a health insurance plan that you need to fulfill before you become eligible to claim for such expenses. For skin cancer treatment the waiting period under a regular health insurance policy generally ranges from 1 to 2 years but under a critical health insurance policy it is just for 90 days.
Some of the treatments that are covered under health insurance plans are-
- Treatment for skin cancer
- Acne Treatment
- Rashes
- Skin fungal disease
Some of the treatments that are not included-
- Cosmetic or plastic surgery
- Botox
- Tattoo removal
Since this list is not exhaustive, you should consult with your insurance provider before filing for a claim.
It is advisable to read your policy document thoroughly before you sign on, to know which type of treatment is covered by the health insurance plan. There has been a rise in skin problems due to various environmental factors which makes it necessary for you to take some effort to take care of your skin. It could hence be worth ensuring your health plan covers this. To know more about health insurance, click here!
