About Our Office
We would like to make the time you spend with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible. You should bring reading material to occupy your time. We offer free Wi-Fi internet access in the waiting area, bring your laptop! Magazines, coffee, tea, and assorted cookies will be available in the waiting room. If your visit extends through the lunch hour, you may visit the Café on the first floor or bring a snack or lunch with you. Please note there is a fee for late cancellations.
Preparing for surgery
The morning of surgery:
Be well rested and eat a good breakfast. Please bathe or shower and wash your hair to minimize your risk of a surgical site infection.
Medical History:
Upon arrival at our office you will be asked to complete a medical history form. Please bring a list of your medications, allergies, and illnesses.
Medications:
Continue all medications prescribed by your doctor including blood thinners like Coumadin, Plavix, or Aspirin. If you are on Coumadin, we need to have a recent INR level (within 7 days of surgery). You will need to call your doctor’s office that prescribed Coumadin and ask them to fax us the results. If you are taking herbal supplements please discontinue them 7-10 days prior to your surgery appointment. (This includes Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Ginko, Garlic, Ginseng, and Ginger). You may take Tylenol if needed for pain. Alcohol will also increase bleeding, so avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours before and after surgery.
Transportation:
It is very helpful if you arrange to have a companion drive you to and from the doctor’s office because the doctor, in rare cases, may give you a mild sedative pill. If the skin cancer is on your face, the surgical site pressure bandage may interfere with your field of vision. In addition, you may be more comfortable having someone to keep you company in the waiting room.
After Surgery:
You may have bruising, swelling, and some pain. These are all normal and will resolve. Usually one return visit, 5-7 days after surgery, is all that is needed to examine the healed surgical site or to remove the surgical dressing. In most cases, we use dissolving stitches, so suture removal is not required. Afterwards, your referring physician will need to see you to perform routine skin checks. Once you have had one skin cancer, you are at a higher risk of developing another one elsewhere
Important Reminders
- DO advise us as soon as possible if you must cancel or change your appointment
- DO take your prescription medication on schedule
- DO shower and wash your hair prior to surgery to minimize risk of infection
- DO eat a normal breakfast unless instructed otherwise
- DO dress comfortably
Insurance Participation and Financial Policy
To ensure clarity regarding your insurance coverage and potential financial responsibility, we kindly ask that you contact our office prior to your scheduled procedure. This will allow us to provide an estimate of any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
We are in-network with the following insurance providers; however, confirmation of in-network status is required before scheduling an appointment:
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Aetna
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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS)
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Cigna
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Kaiser Permanente
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Medicare
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Tricare
Please note that we do not accept the following plans as primary insurance:
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GEHA
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HMO Medicare Advantage Plans
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Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Plans
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UnitedHealthcare
If your insurance carrier is not listed above, we encourage you to contact our office for verification of participation.
As a courtesy, we will submit claims on your behalf for services covered under your insurance plan. Any services not covered—including but not limited to deductibles, co-insurance, co-payments, and, in some cases, office visits—will be your responsibility.
Accepted forms of payment include:
Cash, check, and major credit cards. Please note: we do not accept American Express.
Preauthorization:
If prior authorization or referral is required, please contact your insurance company or your primary care physician at least one week prior to your appointment. Let them know the following:
- You are having Mohs surgery performed in an office setting.
- Procedure code 17311
- Diagnosis code C44.X
- Your surgical site may require reconstruction. If needed this will be performed in our outpatient surgical facility.
We would not want anyone to be denied medical care because of an inability to pay. If you have difficulties understanding or paying your bill, we encourage you to discuss this with our billing staff.
