There are various medical procedures that dermatologists use in order to treat and remove severe acne and acne scars. Some of them may include laser resurfacing, skin grafting, chemical peels,dermabrasion and fillers.
These procedures can be quite expensive and un affordable to most people.. Depending on the severity and amount of scarring, multiple treatments may be required in order to effectively minimize the lasting effects of acne. The problem that many acne patients face is finding a way to pay for removing acne scars if their medical insurance does not cover the cost of treatment.
Most insurance companies in Kenya cover dermatology costs including consultation fees and procedures that are deemed medically necessary in the treatment of acne. Laser Resurfacing to reduce scarring, Phototherapy /Light Therapy to kill acne bacteria and reduce inflammation and laser surgery are mostly catered for. Acne treatment including prescribed medication to treat severe and moderate acne such as antibiotics, retinoids and Accutane are also covered.
However, insurance companies will only cover treatments that are deemed medically necessary i.e can only be provided by a medical practitioner. This means products like moisturizers, serums, creams or sunscreen will not be covered even if they are prescribed by your dermatologist. The above products are considered over the counter products as they can be purchased at pharmacies or beauty stores affordably and without a doctors prescription.
Medical insurance covers differ from one insurance company to another. The best way to learn if your medical insurance covers acne treatment is to review your policy. Whether your insurance is provided through your employer or you obtained it directly from an insurance provider, you should have a detailed overview of your coverage.
If you need a certain treatment and its not covered, you can have your doctor/dermatologist provide a written recommendation to your insurance company. This letter should indicate the severity of acne and an appeal for its consideration as a medical rather than a cosmetic problem. It should also include the recommended treatment to help in removing acne and/or acne scars.
In the event that your request for medical insurance coverage is denied, there may still be other options. For instance, if your condition warrants laser surgery to remove acne scars, your dermatologist may offer a flexible payment plan to help cover the cost of the procedure. You can also ask your doctor for discounts that may be available to you. For example, some practices offer a discount if you pay for the entire procedure up front. If you don’t have the cash on hand,
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