Frequently Asked Questions

Direct care dermatology is a practice model where dermatologists work directly with patients without billing through insurance companies. Patients pay their dermatologist directly through per-visit fees, service-based pricing, memberships, or other transparent models rather than navigating insurance. This approach allows for longer appointments, better access, and a stronger doctor-patient relationship.

Traditional dermatology practices typically operate within the insurance system. This often means shorter visits, higher administrative overhead, and costs that can be unpredictable due to copays, deductibles, and insurance billing. Direct care dermatology takes a different approach. Instead of billing insurance, patients pay transparent, straightforward fees for their care. This model reduces administrative complexity and allows dermatologists to spend more time with each patient. The goal is to make high-quality dermatologic care more accessible, affordable, and focused on the doctor-patient relationship.

The verified badge indicates that our team has reviewed the practice's credentials and confirmed that it is a legitimate direct care dermatology practice led by a board-certified dermatologist. Verification is a manual review process and is separate from the ability to publish a listing. Unverified practices can still appear in the directory.

Most direct care dermatology practices do not bill insurance directly. However, some patients use their HSA or FSA accounts to cover direct care visit fees, procedure costs, and other eligible expenses. Some practices may also provide documentation that patients can submit to their insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Check with your specific practice for details.

Pricing varies by practice. Some charge per visit with transparent fees for each appointment type, others publish itemized fee schedules for every service, and some offer monthly or annual memberships that cover routine visits. Regardless of the model, direct care practices typically offer longer appointments, same-week scheduling, direct communication with your dermatologist, and no surprise bills. All pricing is published upfront so you know what to expect.

The direct care model allows dermatologists to practice medicine the way they envisioned — with adequate time for each patient, clinical autonomy, and reduced administrative burden. Practices typically see fewer patients per day but build deeper relationships and achieve higher satisfaction. Many physicians report significant improvement in professional fulfillment and work-life balance.

You can add your practice by creating an account on our platform. Click 'Add Your Practice' in the navigation, complete the registration form, and fill out your practice profile. Your listing can be published immediately. To receive a verified badge, submit a verification request and our team will review your credentials.

Currently, listing your practice in the Direct Care Dermatology directory is free. We believe in supporting the growth of the direct care dermatology movement and want to make it easy for practices and patients to connect.