Common Questions

Yes, we are accepting new patients.

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 and full regular activities. You will be awake during all procedures, and you 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.

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. If you need a medication refill, please contact your pharmacy. Requests made directly to your pharmacy process quickly. Prescription refill requests made via voice message can be delayed and take up to 72 hours.

Please call the office* at (253) 841-2453 select the menu option for prescription refills and be prepared to provide the following information:

Patient’s Name
Patient’s Date of Birth
Telephone Number
Name of the Medication you are requesting
Name and location of the Pharmacy
Pharmacy telephone number

* Accutane refills - Due to FDA regulations Accutane refills cannot be provided over the telephone, and will only be provided during a follow-up clinic visit.

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.

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. The parent / legal guardian must be present for at least the first visit.

NOTE: Insurance cards must be presented at each appointment.

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Your records are protected under state and federal confidentiality laws and cannot be disclosed without your written consent except in specific instance described by law. This consent is subject to revocation at any time, except to the extent of prior action already taken to comply with this request. CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF MEDICAL INFORMATION.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Some of the insurers we accept include:
Aetna
Cigna
Coventry
First Choice
Humana
Medicare and Rail Road Medicare
NPN
Regence
United Health Care
Premera

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We are not contracted with:
Amerigroup
Community Health Plan
Coordinated Care Health Plan
Labor and Industries
Tricare

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We are not currently accepting new patients with:

DSHS-Medicaid

Molina

Please note that some insurance plans that we are contracted providers with; require written referrals or prior authorization before receiving service with a specialist.

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, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard.

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.

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, and mucous membranes (mouth, anal, genital areas). Our 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
Acne Rosacea
Actinic Keratosis
Contact Dermatitis
Eczema
Finger & toenail problems
Fungal infections
Hair Loss
Moles
Pediatric Skin Problems
Psoriasis
Pyogenic Granuloma
Rashes
Seborrheic Keratosis
Skin Tags
Skin Cancer
Vitiligo
Warts

- Surgical removal of benign and malignant lesions of the skin including skin cancers, cysts, moles & other growths

- Patch testing for possible skin allergens

- Mohs micrographic surgery

- Nail surgery so the nail does not regrow (typically for ingrown toe nails)