MEDICAL Q: How are warts treated? A: The latest and most successful method for treating warts is a laser treatment. A pulsed-dye laser is used to destroy the wart. Liquid nitrogen and dichloroacetic acid coupled with paring off the callused areas may also be incorporated into the treatment plan. Treatments are usually done every 2 weeks, and more than one treatment is usually necessary. Q: Is there more than one doctor at Black Hills Dermatology & Laser Surgery Centre? A: Dr. Young is the only physician practicing at our clinic. We also have two Certified Nurse Practitioners, Sue Matthew and Julie Krein. Q: What is Mohs Surgery? A: Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized, highly effective technique for the removal of skin cancer. This surgery permits the immediate and complete microscopic examination of the removed cancerous tissue so that all “roots” and extensions of the cancer can be removed. Mohs surgery has been recognized as the skin cancer treatment with the highest reported cure rate. This procedure is done in-office by Dr. Young. Q: Can Psoriasis be cured? A: Psoriasis is a chronic condition. Chronic means it will never go away completely. The most advanced treatment available uses the pulsed-dye laser which may result in remissions lasting as long as 14 months. Topical creams, ointments, and injections are also used to control psoriasis. Q: When is the right time to treat vascular birthmarks? A. Patients with vascular birthmarks such as hemangiomas and port wine stains can be treated safely with lasers as early 2 weeks of age. Q: How are moles removed? A: Because there are many different types of moles, each must be evaluated individually in order to determine the best method of removal. The location of the mole is also an important part of this decision. Removing a mole may consist of “shave” excising the mole where a sharp instrument is used to “scrape” the mole from the surface of the skin, or one of several different methods of excision with suture (stitch) placement. Q: Can leg veins be removed in your office? A: Dr. Young performs sclerotherapy, where a special medication is injected into small red “spider veins” to make them go away. Some small blue veins also respond well to this procedure, but the large “ropey” veins cannot be treated in this manner. Sclerotherapy is usually painless and is done in-office by Dr. Young.

 

COSMETIC Q: Will all of my unwanted facial/body hair be gone after one Gentlelase laser treatment? A: The laser targets hairs in a specific phase of the hair growth cycle. The number of treatments needed depends upon your skin and hair color and the coarseness of the hair. With each treatment, more hairs will be destroyed. At least 4 treatments are recommended to achieve up to an 80% reduction in hair in any particular area. Q: Is there anything special I need to do before Gentlelase laser treatment to reduce/remove unwanted hair? A: Yes. You need to avoid the sun for 4-6 weeks before and after each treatment, as the skin should not be tanned. Electrolysis, plucking and waxing should be avoided, as there needs to be a hair root present for treatment to be effective. If the facial area around the mouth is to be treated and you have had cold sores in the past, anti-viral pre-treatment with medication is recommended. Q: What is your return policy regarding cosmeceutical skin care products? A. We are proud to provide our patients with the highest quality scientifically developed and researched products available but realize that not everything works perfectly for everybody all of the time. After consulting with our staff to ensure proper usage, most cosmeceutical products may be returned with receipt within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. After 30 days, products may be returned for in-house account credit only. Make-up products and Agera products are non-returnable. Q: Are microdermabrasion treatments appropriate for everyone? A: There are certain skin conditions that should not be treated with microdermabrasion. Some of these conditions include: malignant cutaneous tumors, certain keratoses, evolving dermatoses, and patients taking Accutane. It is strongly recommended that microdermabrasion treatments be performed under the direct supervision of a dermatologist to ensure treatments are appropriate for each individual. Q: Is medical micropigmentation different from tattooing? A: Medical micropigmentation (also known as permanent makeup) is different from tattooing in many ways. First, it is different because it is applied in several stages to achieve a natural appearance. The pigments used are different from tattoo ink in that they do not migrate from the area of application. This procedure is delivered by a certified derma-technician and is performed in a sterile environment in our medical office under the supervision of a physician.

 

BILLING Q: Will you bill my services to insurance? A: Yes, we bill primary and secondary claims on a daily basis. Q: What does it mean when my insurance denies part of the charges for reasonable and customary? A: Insurance Companies have a set allowable rate for procedures according to the provider’s zip code area. Any amount over that rate could be denied by your insurance as patient responsibility. Therefore, you would be responsible for that portion. Q: Does my Insurance Carrier require authorization for procedures done in your office? A: Most insurances require authorization for inpatient care only, however some plans require pre-authorization for some procedures that we perform. Q: What is your company’s financial policy? A: We require any co-pay or co-insurance to be paid when you check out. Q: Does your office accept payment plans? A: Yes, for patients that may have a balance larger than they can pay in 30 days, we do work with individual financial situations and set up payment plans for medical services. Q: What is your financial policy for cosmetic services? A: These will not be eligible for reimbursement under your healthcare plan or flexible spending account. Payment is required in full at the time of the procedure. Q: Do you accept assignment on Medicare? A: Yes, we are contracted with Medicare to write off the difference in what we bill and Medicare’s allowable amount. Q: When do I get a statement for the balance on my account? A: After receiving an explanation of benefits or payment from your insurance carrier we will send you a statement the first of the month following your insurance company’s response. Q: Are you contracted with my insurance company? A: We have contracts with many different insurance carriers; therefore, you will need to call your insurance company to verify if we are in your insurance carrier’s network.