My son has two precancerous spots on his back that are needing removed (one in the center, the other towards his shoulder). The PA is really insisting to have each removed about two weeks apart due to the recovery, range of motion limitations, etc.

Maybe it is silly of me, but I kind of feel like this is a money grab to have to come in twice instead of knocking both out at once? One of the spots is about the size of a quarter so I know removing it will not be pleasant, but getting them both taken care of at the same time seems much easier (and less costly).

TIA!

How are they looking to remove them? Just a shave? Or excision? Or something more complex like MOHS?

I'm not derm, but I see no problem in getting them done all at once. Might be a little more uncomfortable for a little while, but if it's just "precancerous" then they should not be going too deep.

Not a dermatologist, but I dated one for about a year when living in Dallas. The way she explained to me is if done in 1 setting, insurance pays 100% of the cost of mole removal #1, 70% of mole removal #2, and ~50# for moles 3+. That is a big driver of having multiple appointments.

bigtruckguy3500 said:

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How are they looking to remove them? Just a shave? Or excision? Or something more complex like MOHS?

I'm not derm, but I see no problem in getting them done all at once. Might be a little more uncomfortable for a little while, but if it's just "precancerous" then they should not be going too deep.

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Excision...

380sl said:

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Not a dermatologist, but I dated one for about a year when living in Dallas. The way she explained to me is if done in 1 setting, insurance pays 100% of the cost of mole removal #1, 70% of mole removal #2, and ~50# for moles 3+. That is a big driver of having multiple appointments.

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This doesnt surprise me....

And since I have a high deductible plan, I didn't care - do it all at once - and they wouldn't.

So I don't go there anymore.

I've have a couple squamous and several basal cell carcinomas removed via MOHs surgery. My dermatologist, who is a good Aggie, straight up said it's about money. I've had it happen a couple times where he will put 48 hours in between them so he gets paid.