Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Dermatology & Skin Care > Actinic Keratosis Treatment

Actinic Keratosis Treatment Cost


How Much Does Actinic Keratosis Treatment Cost?

 
low costCreams or Solutions: $95-$350average costSkin Peel: $200-$275high costLaser Resurfacing: $100-$5,000+

Actinic keratoses, also known as solar keratoses, are rough skin lesions that develop following years of sun exposure. They typically appear on the face, scalp, lips, forearms and back of the hands. According to the Mayo Clinic[1] , while an actinic keratosis may sometimes resolve on its own, in some cases, the patches develop into skin cancer.

Typical costs:

  • For patients with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for visiting a dermatologist will typically consist of a doctor visit copay of $5 -$30 or more, or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more. For patients without health insurance, an office visit typically costs $50-$200 or more.
  • According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, options for removing an actinic keratosis[2] typically include medicated creams and solutions that are used alone or in combination with other modes of treatment. Topical Fluorouracil (Carac, Efudex, Fluoroplex)[3] is the most widely used ointment for actinic keratoses and costs $95-$350, depending on whether the patient buys a name brand or its generic equivalent.
  • Another option used to treat actinic keratoses is a skin peel, which typically costs $200-$275 when performed by a medical professional, depending on the clinic and region in which it is located. For example, at Prolase Medspa and laser center[4] in Glendale, CA, a chemical peel typically costs $245.
  • Other procedures include microdermabrasion and dermabrasion which can cost up to $2,000 or more, depending on the number of sessions needed; cryotherapy, which can cost $400 or more; and laser resurfacing, which can cost $100-$5,000, depending on how much of the skin is treated, the type of laser used, the individual center and its regional location. For example, at Schweiger Dermatology[5] in New York City, a laser treatment can cost $4,000 including consult fees, visit fees, anesthesia and medication.
Related articles: Biopsy, Skin Cancer Treatment, Annual Physical, Health Insurance

What should be included:
  • According to the Mayo Clinic[6] , a dermatologist may be able to diagnose actinic keratoses on sight, simply by looking for tell-tale signs[7] on a patient's skin.
  • To determine whether a keratosis is cancerous, a doctor may also order additional tests, such as a skin biopsy[8] .
  • A doctor may advise that the lesion be removed as a precaution.
Additional costs:
  • Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 can help to prevent actinic keratoses from developing. Sunscreens typically range in cost from $5-$30 or more, like L'Oreal Sublime Sun Face Lotion, SPF 50[9] , which costs $11 at drugstore.com.
Discounts:
  • Outlets such as Costco[10] and Walmart[11] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program[12] that includes certain generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages.
  • Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital[13] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.
Shopping for actinic keratosis treatment:
  • The American Academy of Dermatology has a search tool[14] to help patients find a dermatologist.
  • The Mayo Clinic offers questions[15] for patients to ask their dermatologists.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
post Post   Comments (1)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Epiphany Dermatology in Cherry Creek, Denver CO
Amount: $733.00
Posted by: not a fool in Denver, CO.Posted: August 23rd, 2021 09:08AM
Type of Treatment: CryotherapyAffected Area: face
Very low quality of care. A young PA asks questions and a Specialist comes in with a can of liquid nitrogen and applies it to the lesion. Three months later you get the bill.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With Actinic Keratosis Treatment
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Type of Treatment: Affected Area: 
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/actinic-keratosis/DS00568
  2.  www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis/actinic-keratosis-tre...
  3.  www.medicinenet.com/fluorouracil-topical-carac-efudex-fluoroplex/article.htm
  4.  prolaseclinic.com/spa-services-los-angeles/chemical-peel/
  5.  www.nyccosmeticdermatology.com/laserwrinkletreatment.htm
  6.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/actinic-keratosis/DS00568/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
  7.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/actinic-keratosis/DS00568/DSECTION=symptoms
  8.  www.webmd.com/cancer/skin-biopsy
  9.  www.drugstore.com/loreal-sublime-sun-face-lotion-spf-50/qxp381068?catid=159098
  10.  www.costco.com/
  11.  www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy/5431
  12.  www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
  13.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
  14.  www.aad.org/for-the-public/home
  15.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/actinic-keratosis/DS00568/DSECTION=preparing-for-your-ap...
More Health & Personal Care Topics
Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care How Much Does an MRI Cost? How Much Does Radiation Therapy Cost? How Much Do Dentures Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost