This rule could cut your care in half

What This Rule Would Change

This rule affects dermatology more than most other kinds of care. Here’s why: when your doctor finds a spot that worries them, they often treat it that same day. That’s normal. It’s the best way to catch skin cancer early. If this rule goes through, some doctors may need to ask you to come back for a second visit instead. That means a second copay. Another day off work. Another ride to arrange. More time spent waiting and worrying about something that could have been treated right away.

Here’s why this could happen. Medicare is run by an agency called CMS. Right now, when you see a doctor and get treated the same day, like with a skin biopsy, Medicare pays in full for both the visit and the treatment. Under the new rule, Medicare would pay in full for only one of the two. It would pay just half price for the other, which is why some practices may feel they have to split a visit in two.

This isn’t just about Medicare. Many other health insurance companies copy Medicare’s rules within a year or two. So this change could affect your insurance too, even if you’re not on Medicare.

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