Billing FAQs
Frequently Asked Billing Questions
What if I have questions about my bill?
Our staff is happy to speak with you about your account at any time. Please contact our billing department with any questions you may have. We can be reached at:
• Call or text: 803-784-1377
• Email: billing@columbiaskinclinic.com
• Chat: Click the chat icon in the bottom right of this page!
Will my insurance plan consider my visit preventive care?
The short answer is no, we do not bill preventive care visits. Almost all skin exams will be coded and billed as a regular office visit.
Most skin exams are considered problem-oriented: a new mole with irregular borders, acne or warts that aren’t responding to over-the-counter treatments, skin tags that get cut when shaving, or any multitude of other problems. In each circumstance the patient has a chief complaint, or a physically apparent reason for coming in, which means it is not considered preventive care or a wellness visit.
Other patients may just want to come in to get their skin checked regularly. We think that’s great! We generally recommend at least annual full body skin exams depending on age and medical history; however, insurances don’t cover skin cancer screenings as preventive care and it’s often inappropriate for us to bill that way.
Visit the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force website for more info on why skin cancer screenings aren’t preventive care. Also see a list of preventive services covered by Medicare.
The doctor removed a lesion from my back. Why am I being charged for another surgery to repair it? Shouldn’t that be one charge?
There are two parts to this type of procedure – the removal of the lesion and the repair. The type of removal chosen is dependent on several factors such as size, location and whether it’s benign or malignant. The type of repair functions similarly. The procedure is required to be billed in two parts (removal and repair) because each has specific criteria to meet per national insurance coding guidelines.
What is a deductible?
An annual deductible is the dollar amount you must pay out of pocket during the year for medical expenses before your insurance coverage begins to pay. Any time you receive medical care, you will be expected to pay in full for your services until your deductible is met.
For example, if the policy has a $500 deductible, you must pay the first $500 of medical expenses before the insurance company begins to pay for any services.
When does a deductible begin?
Your deductible begins at the start of your plan year. Most plan years begin either January 1 or July 1, but plans can start on any date and are determined by your insurance carrier. The Medicare plan year begins January 1.
How will I know when my deductible has been met?
You can call your insurance company at any time to check on how much of your deductible has been met and some insurance companies have this information available online. Every time you receive medical services, you will receive notification from your insurance company with how much they paid or did not pay if the amount went to your deductible.
