Does Insurance Cover Dermatology? (February 2025)

Is a Visit to the Dermatologist Covered by Insurance?

Most of the largest health insurance companies cover at least some dermatological care. However, they generally only cover care they believe is medically necessary.

While the criteria for what constitutes medical necessity will vary based on the insurer, these are some examples of treatments or procedures often considered medically necessary:

• Treatment for moderate to severe acne
• Scar reduction for a burn injury
• Diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer
• Minor skin surgeries like cyst removal
• Treatment of ongoing skin conditions like psoriasis

Procedures that are purely for cosmetic reasons are often not covered. These are some procedures insurance companies often will not cover:

• Botox injections for cosmetic reasons
• Treatment of minor wrinkles
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Tattoo removal
• Dermal fillers
• Hair removal

Depending on the amount of detail given in your insurance plan, you may or may not be able to tell whether a given procedure will be covered. If you want to be absolutely sure, you should contact the insurance company before you have the procedure done.

Do Dermatologists Take Insurance?

If you have a particular dermatologist in mind you’d like to see, it might be worth asking whether they take insurance before seeing if your plan covers dermatology appointments. Many dermatologists accept insurance, but some — and especially those who specialize in cosmetic treatments — may not.

If your chosen dermatologist doesn’t accept insurance, they might be able to recommend a colleague who does. Alternatively, they may be able to work with you on a sliding scale basis.

What if Insurance Won’t Cover Something That’s Medically Necessary?

Although the answer to “Does insurance cover dermatology?” is often “yes,” anyone familiar with insurance companies already knows that they frequently deny even legitimate claims.

The unfortunate truth is that insurance companies are primarily focused on their bottom line — and that means they sometimes deny coverage that even you and your doctor think is necessary.

If your insurance company is denying a medically necessary procedure, you do have some recourse. You may do one (or more) of the following:

Contact the Insurance Company

First, you should make sure you understand why the insurance company is denying your claim. If they are mistaken about the nature of the appointment you’re having or why you need it, discussing it with an insurance agent may resolve the issue. However, you will likely need to file an appeal.

Talk to Your Dermatologist

Either you or your doctor can appeal claim denials. Because dermatologists and other doctors regularly deal with insurers, your dermatologist likely knows how to explain why your procedure is necessary.

File an Appeal Yourself

You may also opt to file an appeal. You will likely need to document why the procedure you’re having is medically necessary.

Request an External Review

While the exact review procedure may differ from state to state, every state requires insurance companies to offer an external review process. This is when you and your insurer submit your arguments to a third-party reviewer. If you file an appeal and your appeal is denied, your next step will likely be asking for an external review.

Finding an Insurance Plan That Covers Dermatology

Are you preparing to switch health insurance companies or getting health insurance for the first time? If so, you might be interested in looking for a plan that covers more dermatology visits and procedures than most.

If you have a group health insurance plan through your employer, your options may be limited. However, if you’re purchasing a policy through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you’ll likely have a little more freedom.

When you choose a plan, don’t only look at what dermatological treatments it covers. Many health insurance plans offering extensive coverage have fairly high premiums.

Depending on the treatments you need and how often you anticipate going to the dermatologist, it could be more cost-effective to purchase a basic plan and pay out of pocket when you visit the dermatologist.

Finding a Dermatologist Covered by Insurance

If you already have an insurance plan but aren’t sure how to find an in-network dermatologist, here are some helpful tips:

Check Out Your Insurer’s Online Directory

You can usually use your insurance provider’s built-in website tools to find a dermatologist in your network.

If you log into your account, you should be able to access a “find a provider” function. This function allows you to search for dermatologists in your area. Some insurance companies’ online directories will even tell you if a dermatologist is accepting new patients.

Contact Local Dermatologists

If you call dermatology offices near you and tell them your insurance information, they should be able to tell you whether they accept your insurance or not. If they don’t, they may be able to point you to a colleague who does.

Contact the Insurer

If your insurance company’s online directory isn’t very helpful (or if there’s no directory at all), consider calling. An insurance agent should be able to connect you with an in-network dermatologist nearby.

Does Insurance Cover Dermatology? We Can Help You Find the Answer!

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