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 |  | Topical Remedies: $300+ |  | Cryotherapy: $400+ |  | Curettage: $3,000-$4,000+ |
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Seborrheic keratoses[1] are benign skin growths common in older adults. They typically develop on the face, chest, shoulders or back.
Typical costs: | - Though seborrheic keratoses are benign, they can resemble cancer and should be examined by a doctor. They may also become irritated as a result of their size and location. 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 Mayo Clinic[2] , most insurance companies and Medicare won't pay for the removal of seborrheic keratoses if done only for cosmetic reasons. Medical reasons for treatment include intense itching, pain, inflammation, bleeding and infection.
- Options for removing seborrheic keratoses include cryotherapy, which can cost $400 or more, and curettage[3] , or surgical scraping or cleaning, which can cost $3,000 or more. For example, at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, NE, the procedure typically costs $4,167. Patients may also be prescribed topical remedies such as the retinoid cream Tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage and Zorac)[4] , which can cost $300 or more.
Related articles: Biopsy, Skin Cancer Treatment, Health Insurance
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What should be included: | - Seborrheic keratoses can be dark or pale in color, have a thick, waxy appearance, and occur either singly or many at a time. While seborrheic keratoses are typically painless and don't require treatment, patients may choose to have them removed to improve the appearance of the skin or if the spots become irritated by clothing.
- According to the Mayo Clinic[5] , a dermatologist may be able to diagnose seborrheic keratoses by inspecting the growth.
- To determine whether the keratoses is cancerous, a doctor may also order additional tests, such as a skin biopsy[6] , which is typically done in a doctor's office under local anesthesia.
- Because the growths are superficial, removal typically is uncomplicated and unlikely to leave scars.
Additional costs: | - Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 can help patients to avoid sunburn which would further irritate affected skin. Sunscreens typically cost $5-$30 or more, like L'Oreal Sublime Sun Face Lotion, SPF 50[7] , which costs $11 at drugstore.com.
Discounts: | - Discount outlets such as Costco[8] and Walmart[9] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program[10] 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[11] 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 seborrheic keratosis treatment: | - The American Academy of Dermatology has a search tool[12] to help patients find a dermatologist.
- The Mayo Clinic offers questions[13] for patients to ask their dermatologists.
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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.
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External Resources: | - www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/sebhorrheic-keratoses
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/seborrheic-keratosis/DS00846
- www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curettage
- www.rxlist.com/tazorac-cream-drug.htm
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/seborrheic-keratosis/DS00846/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
- www.webmd.com/cancer/skin-biopsy
- www.drugstore.com/loreal-sublime-sun-face-lotion-spf-50/qxp381068?catid=159098
- www.costco.com/
- www.walmart.com/cp/pharmacy/5431
- www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
- www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
- www.aad.org/for-the-public/home
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/seborrheic-keratosis/DS00846/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
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