Welcome, we hope to see you soon!
This section contains:
1) Note on customer service
2) United Health Care PPO
3) United Health Care Medicare Advantage Plans Update/Info: I AM NOT IN NETWORK
4) Skin Cancer Screening Exam wait times and what are things we need to work you in for.
5) Price increase due to inflation
6) My blog link all the way at the bottom of this page.... dropped one on skin care 🤩
1️⃣ CUSTOMER SERVICE NOTE:
By the way, my goal is to stay as an independent business focused on patient care, my team and the community. I call it the HEB model. Great service and care is the goal for 2024 and beyond.
So, is it just me or is EVERYTHING taking longer to get done and made more complicated by all the technology that was supposed to make us more efficient? 🤷♀️
I have a great team to help you but if you are ever stuck, can't get a result or answer for something please know I am here to help get your issue resolved.
You can text me directly at 512-799-7681and I will make sure we get your issue resolved for you.
Now don't abuse that or I will let you know;)
PLEASE DO NOT TEXT ME:
- clinical photos or clinical questions. Ever. That is an office visit so proper documentation needs to be done and charges will apply.
If you have an urgent need for after hour care that cannot wait until the next day please go to an urgent care center near you.
Call 911 if it is an emergency.
-request for office visits. Call the office first and ask my team member to discuss with me your request.
-prescription refill requests. Call your pharmacy first and ask them to send a refill request. Call my office first and ask them to check with me about a refill.
I meet with my team every night to address all the calls that came in that day but it can take 48-72 hours to fulfill some requests.
Thank you.
Dr. Dano
2️⃣ UNITED HEALTHCARE PPO plans
As of 1/1/24 I am no longer in network with United PPO due to dismal, way below Medicare reimbursement rates and horrible customer service.
*What does this mean if you have United PPO?
I can still see you out of network and file your claims
Prices are listed on my website. I hope to continue to be your physician despite what happens. I feel grateful to have worked hard to acquire the skills to help people.
3️⃣ UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS-
PLEASE: do not have the reps call us. They are wasting a lot of my time on this and taking us away from patient care.
I was told from United Rep the patient needed to file the claim to be reimbursed so we are going with this.
see insurance/prices tab for a deeper dive on this but this is the overview.
⚠️Before you come for your visit you should call the member service number on your card and ask:
-TELL THEM: Dr. Dano is out of network with United Medicare Advantage and participates with Medicare as a non-par provider and does not accept assignment on claims.
-Can you file a paper claim with them?
-Will they reimburse you directly on a non-assigned claim?
If YES: we are good to go! Easy to do.
Get the name of the person you talk with and the address to mail the claim.
We will give you the form and receipt to mail and usually reimbursed in 3 weeks.
If NO: we can see you but cannot file a claim and you will not get reimbursement
By the way: They are not following Medicare rules nor State Law if they refuse to reimburse you on an unassigned claim if you have out of network benefits.
We have spent HOURS on the phone with various people at United on this.
Sometimes they follow the rules, sometimes they don't.
You have not given written assignment of benefits authorizing payment to me and that is reflected on the claims submitted to them. Under law in Texas they must pay you.
You can review this if interested or want to discuss with the United reps:
TITLE 8: HEALTH INSURANCE AND OTHER HEALTH COVERAGE.
CHAPTER 1204. PROCEDURES FOR PAYMENT OF CERTAIN HEALTH AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY OR PLAN BENEFITS
SEC 1204.054. PAYMENT OF BENEFITS ACCORDING TO ASSIGNMENT.
4️⃣REGARDING WAITING FOR SKIN EXAMS:
Please know we are working extra hours to take care of everyone. There is a worsening physician shortage and people are catching up on care delayed due to pandemic.
We are prioritizing acute rashes, lesions at risk for skin cancer and other urgent needs.
I appreciate your patience and understanding.
THREE NOTES ON SKIN CANCER SCREENING EXAMS:
1) Do you need one? A lot of people don't.
But we do need to promptly evaluate lesions that change or are unusual.
Per CDC web site,
"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening (total body examination by a doctor) to find skin cancers early. This recommendation is for people who do not have a history of skin cancer and who do not have any suspicious moles or other spots. Report any unusual moles or changes in your skin to your doctor. Also talk to your doctor if you are at increased risk of skin cancer."
2) A skin cancer screening exam is to screen for cancers and educate you about your cancer risks/how to reduce risks.
It is a complex visit that requires concentration and careful charting. They take extra time both in the office and after you leave the office.
If you have other skin issues/questions we will need to schedule another visit for the problems not related to the screening. Please be respectful of this as we are attending to the needs of all our patients.
3) I am booked out a few months for screening exams.
It is OK but if you have a concerning lesion, we will get you in within 2 weeks. See note below about how to reach me if you have trouble booking and you are concerned about a cancer.
WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT SKIN CANCERS:
80% of melanomas are new so they usually come up between "screenings".
It is important that you know the red flags. If any lesion on your skin (especially if new) is black, itches for more than a month, changes over weeks to months or is an "ugly duckling" that looks different I need to see you within 2 weeks.
Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are most common, also are new and high-risk areas are head/neck areas.
Many people say they, "looked like a pimple" when they first appeared. So, if a "pimple" or "blemish" or "scratch" does not go away in 60 days I need to see it within 30 days. If it is growing quickly, I need to see you within 14 days.
SO HOW CAN YOU REACH US IF YOU NOTICE SOMETHING UNUSUAL OR CHANGING?
Please call us at 512-302-4047 and my team will get you in within 1-2 weeks depending on your flexibility.
You can also send us an email any time in the "Contact Us" section at bottom of this page and we will call you to schedule.
IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE BOOKING FOR A VERY URGENT MATTER
(LIKE A CONCERN FOR SKIN CANCER)
You can send me a TEXT at 512-799-7681 and I will work with my team to get you taken care of in a timely fashion.
**But please always call the office or send email first and do not send any photos to this number.**
5️⃣ I was at a restaurant recently that had a sign up. They had to add a 3.5% surcharge on all tickets due to rising costs of labor, rent and supplies in order to cover expenses and pay their team a living wage.
For healthcare workers there has not been a cost of living increase from insurance companies and in the 20+ year I have been doing this. Instead we are seeing Medicare and other insurers DECREASE reimbursements every year.
This is a key factor in why so many physicians have been forced to retire or sell practices to large corporations. We are all feeling this shortage now.
So in order cover expenses and my great team a living wage I have to increase my prices and new prices are on the prices page.
Please note insurance companies do reimburse patients usually at higher rates than physicians if you are coming to me out of network.
I am contemplating some type of surcharge for my in-network patients like the restaurants do but still looking at numbers.
Thank you!
Dr. Dano
COVID 19 (and 20 and 21 and 22 and 23 and 24) POLICY
If you OR a household member have:
-BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYONE THAT TESTED + TO COVID 19 or SUSPECTED + FOR COVID IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
-EXPERIENCED TEMP > 100F . LOSS OF SMELL OR TASTE, NASAL CONGESTION OR HEAD COLD SYMPTOMS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS
-COUGHING, OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH IN THE IN THE LAST 14 DAYS.
-DIARRHEA, VOMITING, NAUSEA, BELLY PAIN IN THE LAST 14 DAYS
Please reschedule your appointment for 14.
- Thank you and from everyone at DoctorDano Dermatology!
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**Contact Us** (for appointments or other issues)
Call or send a fax:
Phone: 512-302-4047
Fax: 512-419-9717.
Dr. Dano Dermatology + Brykerwood Skin and Vein
1600 West 38th Street, suite number 315, Austin, TX 78731, US
Phone number: (512) 302-4047
Hours
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Phones answered:
Monday -Friday : 9am-12:30 and 1:30-5pm
5️⃣My Blog
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