Medical Dermatology

Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails. This includes common conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and warts, as well as more complex concerns like autoimmune skin diseases, hair loss, nail disorders, and skin cancer. Dermatologists also perform procedures including biopsies, cryotherapy (freezing), mole removal, and full-body skin cancer screenings. If something on your skin is new, changing, or not going away, a dermatologist can help.

The recommended frequency depends on your individual risk factors. Patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a history of severe sunburns, many moles, or a history of tanning bed use should be screened at least once a year. Those at average risk should discuss an appropriate schedule with their dermatologist. In South Florida, where we receive intense UV exposure year-round, regular screenings are especially important. The screening itself is quick, painless, and can be life-saving — melanoma caught early has a five-year survival rate of over 99%.

We recommend seeing a dermatologist if over-the-counter products haven't improved your acne after two to three months of consistent use, if you're developing acne scars or dark marks, if your breakouts are painful, deep, or cystic, or if acne is affecting your daily confidence or quality of life. A board-certified dermatologist can prescribe prescription-strength topical treatments, oral medications, hormonal therapies, or in-office procedures that are significantly more effective than what's available at the drugstore.

At your first visit, your dermatologist will review your medical history, current medications, and any skin concerns you'd like to address. If you're coming in for a full-body skin exam, you'll be asked to change into a gown so the doctor can carefully examine your skin from head to toe, including your scalp, between your toes, and other areas that are easy to overlook. The exam itself is quick and painless. If any spots look suspicious, a biopsy may be performed — the area is numbed with a small injection, and a tiny sample of skin is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results are typically available within one to two weeks.

Living in South Florida means your skin is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation virtually every day of the year. Our dermatologists recommend a daily sun protection routine that includes applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning (even on cloudy days and even if you're mostly indoors, since UV penetrates windows), reapplying every two hours when you're spending time outdoors, wearing sun-protective clothing including a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, seeking shade during peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and scheduling annual skin cancer screenings with a board-certified dermatologist. Consistent sun protection is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent premature aging, dark spots, and skin cancer.

Yes, Miami Dermatology and Surgery accepts several insurance plans for medical dermatology services, including skin cancer screenings, biopsies, and treatment for medical skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. We recommend calling our office at (305) 456-1425 before your first visit so we can verify your coverage and explain any copays or deductible amounts. Cosmetic services such as Botox, fillers, and elective laser treatments are generally not covered by insurance.

Of course! If you have out-of-network benefits, then you can potentially submit your bill for reimbursement. In addition, we offer competitive self-pay rates for medical visits.

Currently, we are in network with: Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, Multiplan (Claritev), Curative, and several Medicare Advantage plans.

Of note, we are in network with the vast majority of the above plan. We recommend you call us at 305-456-1425 before your visit to verify your coverage and that we accept your plan. We also offer self-pay options for those whose plans we do not accept.

For patients who do not have health insurance coverage, or for whom we are out-of-network, we offer competitive self-pay rates for our services. Please call us for more information.