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Welcome
Bakersfield Dermatology and Skin Cancer Medical Group is Bakersfield’s largest and most comprehensive dermatology practice. Treating patients since 1989 as Bakersfield Dermatology, our three M.D.’s and two P.A.’s (Physician Assistants) have over 79 years of combined clinical experience among them. Our office is conveniently located at 5101 Commerce Drive, Suite 101, in Bakersfield California.
Our staff is fully qualified in the treatment of all types of skin conditions, including skin cancer, moles, acne, warts and cosmetic concerns.
Bakersfield Dermatology and Skin Cancer Medical Group is the only full service practice in Kern County.
Our expertise includes:
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Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancers.
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Dedicated psoriasis treatment unit, including PUVA and UV-B light therapy and clinical trials.
- Hyperhidrosis treatments and consultations available.
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Cosmetic treatments available, including Botox® Cosmetic, Restylane®, Glycolic Acid Peels, PhotoFacialTM and Sclerotherapy.
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LASER for facial veins and facial rejuvenation, and treatment for rosacea, fine lines and crow's feet.
The Very Important Fine Print, Regarding You and Your Insurance. Please read, and understand completely:
OUR OFFICE'S INSURANCE POLICY, AND WE MAKE NO EXCEPTIONS: We ask that you please bring all applicable insurance information with you at the time of your appointment, even if you believe we have your insurance information on file already. This includes primary and secondary insurance information, if applicable, and any and all co-payments required of you. If you fail to bring your insurance information with you, we will still happily see you, but you will be expected to pay for all services renedered that day at the time the services are rendered (we will NOT bill you or your insurance company, either after-the-fact or for denial), and you will be responsible for renumeration from your insurance company. If your primary insurance is an HMO that we are not contracted with, and your claim is denied, we will not bill your secondary insurance company, and after 90 days of non-payment, payment for services rendered will become your sole responsibility.
COOPERATION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR
We encourage you to ask questions about your condition and treatments. If you do not understand thoroughly what we want and need you to do, you will not be able to carry out your treatment properly.
OUR TEAM APPROACH
Our office consists of a variety of health care providers, all of whom are highly skilled and trained individuals. Whether you are coming in for a medical or surgical problem, it is very likely that you will be seen by more than one of our health care providers. Our intention is to provide you with the very best possible dermatologic care available. In our efforts to provide this level of care, our physicians and physician's assistants work together as a team. If you are coming in for a surgical procedure, it is likely that one member of our team may administer the anesthetic, while another team member performs the surgical removal of the lesion, and yet another may suture the incision. All of our health care providers are skilled in administering these services. Our team approach allows us to to provide you with the best care in an efficient fashion. If you are uncomfortable with this approach, please let us know in advance.
TELEPHONE CALLS
When you call our office, your message will be taken, and if necessary, given to a doctor. As soon as possible, either your doctor will call you back, or a member of our staff will call you to relay a response.
YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE
We are preferred providers for several different insurance plans. If you are covered by one of these plans, we will bill your insurance. We do require that you have complete information regarding your coverage, and we will need to make a copy of your insurance card. We also require that any co-payments be made at the time you check in for your appointment. We will NOT bill for co-payments. Many insurance plans do require you to pay your deductible, and you may receive a statement from us if your insurance indicates that you are responsible for a deductible amount. We are members of the Medicare Participating Provider Program. This means that we will bill Medicare for you, and accept Medicare's determination as to what the allowable charges are. We will also bill your Medicare supplement for you. If you are covered by a POS (Gallagher) or an HMO (Kaiser, Health Net, Secure Horizons, etc.) you must have authorization from your primary care physician (PCP) in order for your visit to be covered. It is your responsibility to make sure your visit has been authorized. We will request authorization for your follow-up visits and any indicated procedures, however, it is a good idea to contact us before your next appointment to make certain we have received the correct authorization.
CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DERMATOLOGISTS
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our services, or if you simply would like to have a second opinion, please feel free to say so. We will gladly arrange for you to see another dermatologist of your choice, or one recommended by us. There are many skin conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat. It is sometimes necessary to try different treatments to find the one that works best for you. In such cases, it may be helpful to get a second opinion; please remember, however, it is not often in your best interests to change from doctor to doctor without giving any of them an adequate chance to find a workable solution.
APPOINTMENTS
When making an appointment, please mention all of the problems that you would like to have checked, so there will be enough time allowed for all of them. This will help us schedule properly, and not make you wait unnecessarily in the waiting room.
REMINDER CALLS
In our efforts to remind you, the patient, of your sheduled appointment in the most efficient manner possible, we have employed an automated calling system by Televox, Incorporated. We understand that some people may not like an automated computer voice to call you for reminders, this is why we did a very long and detailed search to find a natural sounding voice for our outgoing reminder calls. Please understand we have done this for your convenience, not to annoy you.
The Fine Print:
As previously stated, we will bill nearly all major insurance plans (please call our office to see if yours is or will be accepted) and, absent insurance, we accept all forms of payment for treatment, including all major credit and debit cards and checks. Our professional staff will happily make any appointments for you, over the phone, and will also make a follow-up reminder call 48 hours before your appointment. Also note: After two missed appointments or two appointments cancelled within 24 hours of your scheduled time, you will be charged a $20.00 fee. Returned check fees total ALL bank fees plus $25.00.
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