Actinic Keratosis Treatment Cost

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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...

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