Help Protect Access to Dermatology Care

At Hudson Dermatology, our priority is ensuring that patients have timely access to high-quality dermatologic care. Proposed changes to Medicare could make it more difficult for dermatologists to diagnose and treat certain conditions during the same visit. Potentially creating additional barriers for patients seeking care.

Medicare proposed a new restrictive, patient-burdening policy that would make it harder for patients to receive evaluation and treatment during the same visit, while penalizing physicians for providing efficient, same-day care. Medicare policies also heavily influence private insurance, meaning this change could impact all patients, regardless of your insurance provider. Currently, if your dermatologist discovers a suspicious spot during a skin check, we can typically biopsy it at the same visit. This approach reduces delays and leads to better outcomes for our patients. If the new policy is adopted, patients could be asked to return another day for a biopsy, procedure, or treatment that could have been performed during the initial visit.

This issue also extends beyond dermatology. The proposal could affect physicians across many specialties who evaluate patients and perform medically necessary procedures during the same visit.

More Appointments: You could be told to return on a separate day for simple procedures that could have been performed during the initial visit.

Higher Costs: Additional visits mean extra co-pays, travel expenses, child care arrangements, and time away from work or family.

Dangerous Delays: Waiting weeks to get a simple biopsy done can delay diagnoses for skin cancers and other serious conditions.

The American Academy of Dermatology has made it easy for patients to contact their elected representatives and share their concerns.

Participation is completely optional and takes less than one minute. If you choose to participate, please click the link below:

www.votervoice.net/AAD/Campaigns/138934/Respond

A letter is already prepared for your convenience and can be sent as written. You may also personalize the message to share why continued access to high-quality dermatologic care is important to you and your family.

Together, we can help protect timely access to dermatologic care.