Financial Policy
Effective September 3rd, 2025
At Greater Boston Dermatology (the “Practice”), we are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality, and comprehensive care. Below is our financial policy, which we require you to read and sign before your visit.
As a small practice, we rely on timely payments and appointment attendance to continue serving our community. This policy helps us protect appointment availability and keep our operations running smoothly.
INSURANCE COVERAGE AND PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY
It is important that you are familiar with your own coverage and insurance terms. Understanding what your insurance plan covers—including co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance, and lab contracts—is your responsibility.
If your insurance changes at any time, please notify our office promptly to update your information.
It is your responsibility to contact your new insurance company to confirm that we are in- network with your updated plan.
All co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles are due at the time of your visit.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with your financial responsibilities to ensure a smooth experience.
In-Network Patients: The Practice participates in many insurance plans. If we have notified you that we contract with your insurance carrier, you are an in-network patient. The benefits paid by insurance companies for dermatologic services vary by carrier and by plan, and insurance companies may not pay for all medical services and procedures, even those that might be helpful to you. Please contact your insurance carrier to determine insurance coverage. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, we will make reasonable efforts to assist you in verifying your insurance benefits and preauthorization requirements, as a courtesy to you. Please bring your insurance card with you to every visit so that we can verify your current insurance. Your insurance plan may require you to obtain prior authorization and/or a referral from your primary care physician. It is important to understand that any prior authorization and/or pre-approval granted by your insurance company is not a guarantee of payment by your insurance company. If insurance coverage is available, we collect applicable co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles at the time of service. We are required by law to submit every claim to an insurance company accurately, reporting the exact services performed and the exact reason for performing them. We cannot and will not change information just so the claim can be paid by an insurance company. If services were denied by your insurance, you will be notified ahead of time electronically by e-mail and/or text message and will have 4 weeks after such notice to pay the full balance due. Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance plans. You will be responsible for all fees related to cosmetic services and procedures at the time of your visit. You are ultimately responsible for the full payment of your account for all services provided by the Practice. If your insurance denies payment, you agree to be personally and fully responsible for full payment.
Out-of-Network Patients: If we have notified you that we do not contract with your insurance carrier, you are an out-of-network patient. We will provide you an estimate of the amount due and as an out-of-network patient, you will be responsible for the direct payment of that amount to the Practice. You are welcome to seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier, and any such reimbursement will be paid directly to you. We are unable to submit a claim to your insurance company for your medical visits and services. Additionally, you will be responsible for all fees related to cosmetic services and procedures at the time of your visit. You are ultimately responsible for the full payment of your account for all services provided by the Practice. You agree to be personally and fully responsible for full payment.
Uninsured Patients and All Other Self-Pay Patients: All such patients are billed directly by the Practice. You will be responsible for all fees related to cosmetic services and procedures at the time of your visit. You are ultimately responsible for the full payment of your account for all services provided by the Practice. You agree to be personally and fully responsible for full payment.
REFERRAL REQUIREMENTS
If your insurance requires a referral from your Primary Care Physician (PCP) for specialty services, it is important to ensure the referral is in place before your visit. Without a referral, you will be responsible for covering the cost of all services provided.
CREDIT CARD ON FILE (CCOF) POLICY AND AUTHORIZATION
We require an active credit card on file for all patients prior to scheduling any appointments. Your credit card will be charged in accordance with the Credit Card on File Policy and Authorization.
LATE CANCELLATION/NO-SHOW FEES
As a small practice, we rely on timely payments and appointment attendance to continue serving our community. This Policy helps us protect appointment availability and keep our operations running smoothly. We understand that schedules can change unexpectedly, and we’re here to help you reschedule when needed. However, to ensure we can accommodate all our patients effectively, if you are unable to keep your appointment, we require advance notice:
Medical, surgical, Mohs, and cosmetic appointments: At least 24 business hours in advance.
Business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Arriving more than 10 minutes late for your appointment will be considered a late cancellation. If you fail to cancel/reschedule within the allotted time, the following fees will apply:
$50 for a medical appointment.
$100 for a cosmetic, surgical, or Mohs appointment.
Example: For a Monday 8:00am medical appointment, cancellation must be made by the previous Friday at 8:00 am.
Your credit card on file will be charged in the amount noted above within 48 hours of the missed appointment/late cancellation.
TERMINATION/SUSPENSION OF SERVICES
Delinquent payments, multiple late cancellations, and/or multiple no-show appointments may result in dismissal from the Practice.
You will not be able to be seen as a patient if you have a balance over 60 days due or if your account goes to collections until your balance is paid in full.
PATHOLOGY/LAB SERVICES
You may receive an additional bill from the lab service provider depending on the procedures performed during your visit. We are unable to adjust these charges as they are provided by a separate entity. It is your responsibility to verify coverage of these services with your insurance provider. You are responsible for payment for all such services (to the extent not covered by your insurance), made directly to the provider of those services.
NON-COVERED SERVICES
Cosmetic services are not covered by insurance. Payment for these services is due at the time they are rendered. Please note that a deposit will be required for certain non-covered cosmetic procedures.
Some medical services may also not be covered by insurance (e.g., treatment of benign lesions for cosmetic reasons). It is your responsibility to understand whether or not any services will be covered. Payment is due at the time of service for non-covered procedures.
PRODUCTS/SERVICES REFUNDS
There is no guarantee that a product or service will meet all your expectations. There are no refunds for products or services rendered. Exchanges or replacements for defective products may be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the event of an overpayment after insurance adjustments have been made for a service you received, you will receive a refund of the overpayment by check or original method of payment (if credit card or debit card were used).
MINORS
An adult or guardian must accompany a patient under the age of 18 and is financially responsible for full payment for services rendered to the minor.
DISPUTE PROCESS
If you believe there is an error in the charges made to your account, please contact our office within 30 days of the charge. We will use our best efforts to investigate and resolve any billing concerns promptly. You can reach us at 617-540-5570.
POLICY UPDATES
Greater Boston Dermatology reserves the right to update or modify this Financial Policy and Patient Agreement at any time. Patients will be notified of any changes through email or posted notices in our office. Please ensure we have your most up-to-date contact information.