Insurance Information

Berman Skin Institute accepts many types of insurance. The list of insurance companies we are contracted with is listed below. We are constantly contracting with new insurance companies; if you do not see your insurance company on the list, please contact our office or call the member services number listed on your insurance card. All providers in our practice are contracted under the group name: Berman Skin Institute Medical Group.

There is often a great deal of confusion regarding the protocols required by HMOs, managed care companies, for services provided. Unlike most traditional insurance plans, HMOs require a referral from your Primary Care Physician in order to be seen in our office. Some insurance companies provide the patient with written referral for his/her visit and others simply give the patient a referral number. A referral does not provide a patient with the necessary approval to undergo a procedure; it simply means you have permission to visit a specialist for a consultation and/or an office visit. After the consult, it is necessary to obtain authorization each and every time you visit our office. This means at the time of your consultation, you may have to return on another day for the recommended procedure when authorization is obtained. In many cases, authorization can be obtained by simply calling the insurance company. Some insurance companies, however, require written documentation and photographs for authorization for certain procedures. These are submitted and then reviewed by a specialist or the medical director to determine medical necessity.

Our billing staff is experienced and well-trained in obtaining authorizations. Please keep in mind that this process is time consuming and can take several weeks. It is often helpful for the patient to call his/her insurance company to help speed up the process.

We accept the following insurance:

HMOs: (HMO’s are managed care. You need a referral from your PCP)
Brown & Toland Physicians
Hill Physicians Medical Group
Jade (CCHP – Chinese Community Health Plan)
TRICARE For Life
Triwest
Medi-Cal

PPOs:
Aetna
Anthem
Beechstreet
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Cigna (PPO/POS)
Cigna/Great West (PPO/Open Access)
Coastal Healthcare
Coventry Healthcare
First Health/Coventry
Geha
HealthNet
Integrated Health Plan
Interplan
Medicare
Multi/PHCS
Oxford
Triwest
United Healthcare (PPO/Choice Plus)
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage (limited to the following offices: Cameron Park, Placerville, Roseville)