Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do you ask for my photo identification?

A: To protect your identity. Consider that with your insurance card and date of birth anyone could use your insurance to receive medical care. If you have a high deductible insurance plan, YOU will be responsible for paying those physician bills, even though you did not receive the care. Also, since many patients use credit cards to pay copays, it prevents us from having to ask you for ID every time you come into the office.

Q: Has this ever happened?

A: Yes. Dr. Wyatt has experienced someone posing as someone else with someone else's insurance card attempting to receive care.

Q: Why do I have to come early to my appointment?

A: We try to keep the paperwork to a minimum, but we do have a few forms for you to read and sign. Also, if you are a new patient this gives us time to set up your insurance, enter your mailing address, etc.

Q: Why won't my insurance cover this procedure?

A: Please read my short article on medical versus cosmetic treatment.

Q: What is my copay going to be/how much will I have to pay for the visit/how much will my insurance cover for the visit?

A: We don't know. Really. Your copay amount is generally listed on your card. Since we're a dermatology office, your copay will be for the specialist amount which is usually higher. As far as your responsibility after insurance processes the claim, I can make best guesses as to what I think will happen, but in actuality, your insurance company is the only one that can answer those questions. I can supply you with the codes for most standard office visit procedures so you can call your insurance and have them give you an estimate.

Q: I called my insurance company and they said my visit would be covered, but I just received a bill from you today. What's going on?

A: There's a slight, but important terminology distinction here. Covered does not equal paid. Your office visit may be a covered benefit, but that does not mean your insurance company is going to pay for the visit. When calling your insurance company, be sure to specifically ask them if they're going to pay for the visit, or if the allowed amount will be applied to your deductible or coinsurance amounts.

Q: I received a bill from your office. My insurance paid you already, and you still want more money?

A: Please read my primer on insurance billing basics and understanding your statement. If you still have questions about your bill, please feel free to call our office, and I will explain it in mind boggling, exceedingly boring, somewhat understandable, detail.

Q: I can't believe you charged $1,000,000.00 for my wart treatment!

A: What we charge, also called our billed amount, is completely and totally arbitrary. It in no way reflects what we are actually paid, nor do we expect to be paid that amount, nor do we ask our patients to pay that amount. Please read my primer on billing basics and understanding you statement for details.

Q: I don't have insurance, what will my visit cost?

A: The simple answer is that we will bill you at the current Medicare allowable rate for the procedure codes Dr. Wyatt codes. As far as what those codes are going to be, we have no idea until you come in to the office to be evaluated. Sort of like taking your car in for repair, the mechanic can't tell you how much it's going to cost to fix your car until he can diagnose the problem. We're happy to give you a no charge estimate before we perform any procedures.

Q: Dr. Wyatt said she would call me with the results of my biopsy today. It's 4:00pm and she hasn't called. Is she out playing golf or something?

A: Dr. Wyatt typically makes patient calls after clinic hours. Clinic ends at 4:00pm, so patient calls usually happen in the late afternoon or evening sometimes as late as 9:00pm.