How Much Does it Cost to See a Dermatologist without Insurance?

October 20, 2020

Your skin is your body’s first line of defense and deserves good care. Many people are reluctant to visit a dermatologist, even when they have a strange rash or sudden breakout, because of the fees they might expect. Some patients also do not have a healthcare plan that covers dermatology visits.

So how much does it cost to visit a dermatologist with no health insurance? On average, an initial consultation with a dermatologist will cost somewhere around $150. Factors such as the location of the practice will also affect the price of dermatology visits as well. Some dermatologists do offer structured payment plans or other payment options, which help make their fees more affordable.

No Insurance? The Price of a Dermatology Visit

In the United States, dermatology costs and your payment options often correlate directly to whether you have an insurance plan. While 91.5% of Americans in 2018 were subscribed to an insurance plan, almost 30 million people don’t have health care coverage.

Additionally, some plans don’t cover essential healthcare – including dermatology. Patients who need to see a dermatologist may also need a referral from a primary care doctor or authorization from their insurance provider first. If you’re insured, the co-pay to make a dermatology office visit usually costs between $20 and $40, but you often need to undergo a process to schedule an appointment.

For patients with no insurance, an initial consultation will cost an estimated $150. In rural areas, some patients may need to pay more. Follow-up sessions and various treatments performed at a dermatology visit will also vary based on the skin condition and impact any out-of-pocket fees.

Factors that Affect the Price of Dermatology Appointments

There are three common factors that affect the price of a dermatology appointment, which you should consider if you are not covered by a health plan. Your geographic location, the specialties of the dermatologist, and your own condition will influence the cost.

Location: Dermatologists consider the area they practice in when determining how much they should charge: the cost of living, economic conditions, their competition, and the local patient base. If an area has fierce competition among contending dermatologists, then you can expect most doctors to charge less for common services and procedures. However, if you’re living in an expensive area like New York City where renting office space and paying wages costs more, then it’s safe to assume you should expect higher fees.

Specialties: You can also expect that a dermatologist will charge more if they specialize in a rare skin condition or a unique surgical technique. Since they might receive several referrals monthly, they wouldn’t need to worry about making their prices competitive against dermatologists who aren’t focusing on a niche specialty within the field of dermatology.

Your Condition: Some skin conditions will be more expensive to treat than others, especially if it’s a rare condition. Other conditions such as acne or psoriasis may take several sessions to treat, which means a patient would need to allot a budget for these additional follow-ups.

Tips for Choosing a Dermatologist on a Budget

Receiving proper healthcare should be accessible for everyone, even if you’re not insured. Here are some tips on how to choose a dermatologist on a limited budget:

Do some research: Visit all the dermatologists in your area and ask them about their prices. Some clinics offer discounts or will work with you on a payment program, so it’s important to be upfront with them about your budget.
Consider low-cost or community health providers: These health providers are meant to serve patients with no insurance, so you can look into them as well. The American Academy of Dermatology has a list of low-cost and free clinics on their website.
Negotiate a payment plan: Some dermatologists accept sliding scale payments, installments, and even medical credit programs – so talk to the accounting representative of your clinic to see how you can spread out payments.