Frequently Asked Questions
In order for us to provide you with the very best of care, it is important that our patients understand our office policies. Please choose from the following selections to answer any questions you may have.
1. Are you accepting new patients?
2. How do I schedule an appointment?
3. How do I cancel an appointment?
4. Do I need a referral from another doctor to get an appointment?
5. Can I use my insurance at Puyallup Dermatology?
6. Do I need to bring a credit card, check or money to my visit?
7. How do I contact my dermatologist if I have questions?
8. What kinds of problems do you treat?
9. What types of procedures do you perform?
10. Do you do any cosmetic procedures?
11. I am having surgery done at Puyallup Dermatology. What should I expect?
12. How do I get a prescription refill?
13. What is HIPAA? How do you make sure my medical information is kept confidential?
14. Do I need to come to all the appointments for my minor son / daughter?
15. What are your office hours?
1. Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients and appointments for new patients are usually available within 4 weeks.
2. How do I schedule an appointment?
Patients are seen by appointment only. Schedule An Appointment by calling (253) 841-2453. Patients with urgent problems or concerns will be assessed by our nurses on the telephone during clinic hours and worked into the schedule if needed. Patients with an immediate life threatening problem should go directly to the Emergency Room.
3. How do I cancel an appointment?
We make every effort to honor all time commitments and request that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you are unable to keep your appointment please call (253) 841-2453 at least 24 hours in advance so we may schedule another patient in your allotted time. We have an automated telephone system so patients may leave messages after hours when necessary.
4. Do I need a referral from another doctor to get an appointment?
You only need a referral if your insurance requires a referral for you to see a specialist or you are covered by DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services).
5. Can I use my insurance at Puyallup Dermatology?
Puyallup Dermatology participates with Medicare, Medicaid, and a variety of other major insurance carriers. Please check your insurance handbook to be sure we are contracted with your carrier.
6. Do I need to bring a credit card, check or money to my visit?
- Copays and Deductibles must be paid at the time of office visit.
- Private plans and uninsured must pay at the time of office visit.
- All cosmetic procedures must be paid in advance. Your dermatologist will be happy to give you an estimate of the charge so you may plan ahead for this service.
- Payments may be made by cash, check, money order, Visa and MasterCard.
7. How do I contact my dermatologist if I have questions?
Our automated telephone system is structured to allow us to answer questions, to take care of urgent problems and to care for patients with a minimum of interruptions. Our staff is trained to obtain the most important information to be relayed to the physicians. Please cooperate in giving the information they request. If you have questions call (253) 841-2453.
8. What kinds of problems do you treat?
Any problems of the skin, hair and nails. Diseases of the skin affect all age groups from infants to the elderly and all skin surfaces including the feet and nails, the mucous membranes (mouth, anal, genital areas). Dermatologists are familiar with the work of other specialties because we are consultants to many such as pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists, internists, family practitioners, dentists, ophthalmologists and other medical specialties. Dermatology thus requires a very broad based knowledge. Dermatologists use many different therapeutic tools ranging from antibiotics to surgery.
Common problems treated by Puyallup Dermatology include:
· Acne* |
· Pediatric Skin Problems |
* acne / Accutane
* contact dermatitis allergy testing (referring to skin diseases resulting from exposure to external products such as poison ivy, industrial or household chemicals)
* fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ring worm and toenail fungus
* skin cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Malignant Melanoma
9. What types of procedures do you perform?
- Surgical removal of benign and malignant lesions of the skin including skin cancers, cysts, moles & other growths
- Patch testing for possible skin allergens
- Light treatments (PUVA or UVB for psoriasis, eczema or vitiligo)
- Toe nail removal so the nail does not regrow (typically for ingrown toe nails)
10. Do you do any cosmetic procedures?
We practice primarily medical dermatology and surgical dermatology. We do offer some cosmetic procedures: keloid revision, remodeling of rhinophyma (enlarged nose related to chronic rosacea), and removal of benign cysts and moles.
11. I am having surgery done at Puyallup Dermatology. What should I expect?
All procedures are performed in our office with local anesthesia. Most procedures are completed in less than an hour. Following the procedure you will be given specific instructions on how to care for your skin, when to return to the clinic, and when you can return to work or full activities. You will be awake during all procedures and will be able to leave the office under your own power. Due to the anxiety some patients feel during and following a procedure we recommend you consider having someone available to drive you home.
12. How do I get a prescription refill?
We will only refill prescriptions written by one of our dermatologists. Requests for prescription refills should be made only during office hours when your medical records are available. Because many prescription drugs have side effects of which you may not be aware, they should be administered only under a doctor's supervision and renewed only when he can monitor your condition. Therefore, you will sometimes be requested to make a follow-up visit before a prescription will be renewed.
Please call the office at (253) 841-2453 select the menu option for prescription refills and be prepared to provide the following information:
o Patient's Name
o Patient's Date of Birth
o Telephone Number
o Name of the Medication you are requesting
o Name and location of the Pharmacy
o Pharmacy telephone number
* Accutane refills - Due to FDA regulations Accutane refills can not be provided over the telephone and will only be provided during a follow-up clinic visit.
13. What is HIPAA? What do you do to make sure my medical information is kept confidential?
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The Practice provides this Notice to comply with the Privacy Regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with HIPAA. To learn more information see our Notice of Privacy Practices.
14. Do I need to come to all the appointments for my minor son / daughter?
It is very important that parents are aware of the medical care provided to their children. We strongly recommend all minors are accompanied by one of the parents / guardian. However, if this is not feasible you may print a copy of the CONSENT FOR EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF A MINOR, sign it and have the patient bring it to the medical appointment. All children need either to be accompanied by a legal parent / guardian or have a signed copy of this consent. Children accompanied by family or friends, who are not legal guardians, will not be seen without a consent signed by a parent / guardian. NOTE: Insurance cards must be presented at each appointment.
15. What are your office hours?
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.