WHAT IS DERMATOLOGY AND WHAT DOES A DERMATOLOGIST DO?
Dermatology is a medical and surgical specialty that addresses the health, diseases, conditions, and function of the skin, hair, and nails. Because the skin is the largest organ of the human body, the skin may reflect or represent a more systemic condition or disease. A rash or skin lesion may be the first sign of something more serious or significant going on inside of the body.
Dermatologists first train for at least one year in a general medical or surgical specialty, such as Internal Medicine, and then continue their training in a three to four year dermatology residency. Many dermatologists also have extensive research experience in areas such as clinical trials, molecular biology, or cellular biology, immunology, or pathology. Well-trained and reputable M.D. dermatologists are board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and maintain board certification by taking a board certification exam every ten years for maintenance of the certification. Dermatologists, just as other practicing physicians, must maintain their CMEs (Continuing Medical Education) to be eligible to take the certification exams and to maintain licensure.
As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Linda Honet has the expertise and ability to evaluate and treat all skin diseases, conditions, and growths, as well as those affecting the hair and nails. Some examples of common skin conditions include eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions, rashes, moles, skin cancer, and warts. Dermatologists see all ages from newborn to the elderly and perform full skin exams, skin biopsies and other skin procedures, skin cancer surgery, cosmetic and aesthetic skin procedures, and laser surgery. In addition to her Dermatology training, she has completed a full three-year Internal Medicine residency as well as a Dermatology Research Fellowship in genomic molecular biology, namely Type VII Collagen, and has numerous scientific publications relating to this.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A VISIT WITH DR. LINDA HONET AS MY DERMATOLOGIST?
Depending on what your needs are when you see Dr. Honet, a history will be taken relating to your current concerns about your skin and then a physical exam of your skin will be performed. At times, a full skin exam may be performed on the first visit. As part of a diagnostic work-up, there may be a need for skin biopsies, bacterial, viral, or fungal cultures, bloodwork, or rarely even radiologic studies. You may be referred to other specialists, and you may be asked to obtain old records and health data from other physicians who take care of you. Sometimes, the diagnoses may not be entirely clear or definitive on the first visit. You may be prescribed some medications, either oral or topical or both. The wonderful aspect about skin is that because it is an “external” organ, most diseases or conditions of the skin are effectively controlled or cured. Even skin cancer when diagnosed early is curable.
WHY CHOOSE HONET DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETIC?
At Honet Dermatology and Cosmetic, we strive to provide expert medical and surgical dermatologic care for our patients in a warm and inviting environment. Equipped with over 29 years of clinical experience as a physician, Dr. Linda Honet has had the great privilege of caring for patients in the Detroit Metro area since 1994. We welcome all ages and all ethnicities and pride ourselves for delivering comprehensive, effective, and ethical care for all of our patients. We are especially mindful of being kind and compassionate and giving the individual attention each patient deserves and needs. We hope that choosing Honet Dermatology and Cosmetic will be one of the best health decisions you make in your lifetime.
WHAT DOES BOARD CERTIFICATION MEAN?
Board Certification means that a physician has completed a full residency at an accredited hospital, whether on a university or private setting, and has passed the Board Certification Examination for the given specialty at the time of residency training completion. Thereafter, every ten years, the physician needs to retake and pass the specific specialty Board Exam to maintain Board Certification. Well-trained and reputable M.D. dermatologists are board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and maintain board certification by taking the board exam every ten years for maintenance of this certification. Dermatologists, just as other practicing board-certified physicians, must also maintain their CMEs for Continuing Medical Education credits to qualify to take the exam and maintain licensure to practice medicine.
DO I NEED AN ANNUAL ROUTINE SKIN EXAM OR A “MOLE CHECK”?
An annual skin exam or “mole check” is an effective way to establish a baseline to which your dermatologist can refer for your future skin needs. However, many Americans have had their fair share of sun damage and so qualify for annual full skin exams. Other reasons for having regularly scheduled full skin exams include having many moles, a history of precancerous or cancerous skin lesions, a family history of melanoma or other skin cancer, a history of tanning booth use, a history of blistering sunburns, a history of Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome, or a history of a chronic skin disorder. Also, lately the trend is being proactive about one’s health, and a full skin exam is part of this healthy lifestyle for which so many Americans are striving. Prevention and maintenance are the keys to having healthy skin, and a full skin exam is one step towards achieving this.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MEDICAL PROCEDURE AND A COSMETIC PROCEDURE?
Both types of procedures are performed in an outpatient setting at our office. A medical procedure is one where a surgical procedure, whether minor or major, is necessary for the diagnosis and restoration of the health of your skin. This is more often than not covered by your medical insurance once your deductible has been met for the year. A cosmetic procedure is one that is performed to improve the appearance and condition of your skin, especially on the face, although body rejuvenation and contouring are gaining popularity. This is an out-of-pocket expense and is not covered by medical insurance.
HOW DO I REFILL MY PRESCRIPTION?
If you are an established patient of Honet Dermatology & Cosmetic and you have been seen by one of the providers within the year for the condition the prescription is treating, you may get a refill on your prescription by simply calling the office and informing one of the staff. Please specify the specific medication you need refilled and the pharmacy you prefer. Our staff will eScribe it directly to the pharmacy by the next business day. If it is one prescribed by an outside physician, your prescription cannot be filled by us. You must call the original physician who prescribed that medication.
WHY DO I NEED TO HAVE MY PHOTO TAKEN AT THE TIME OF THE APPOINTMENT?
Your photo is necessary as part of your legal medical record. It is entered into our HIPAA-secured scheduling system Kareo as well as our electronic medical record EMA. It is for identification purposes and will not be used in any other capacity or fashion except within our own medical facility and as part of your medical record. Photos may need to be periodically updated to keep the medical record current and relevant.
I DON’T HAVE INSURANCE, HOW MUCH WILL MY VISIT COST?
There is no standard visit cost and the cost varies according to each patient’s medical issues. Each visit has many components to it, which includes the complexity of the diagnosis or diagnoses, the decision making, the therapeutic plan, the diagnostic work-up, and the surgical procedures involved. Once your medical data are entered into the electronic medical record, the bill gets generated by the billing program automatically. All the criteria are based on standard of care for the particular disease entity and largely determined and established by the federal government.
WHY DO I NEED TO PAY A COPAY?
You pay a copay for every doctor who sees you and every medical service rendered to you. This is predetermined by your medical insurance policy. It is illegal for physicians to waive your copay, and you must pay a copay for each time the physician sees you in the office.
WHAT IS YOUR “NO SHOW” POLICY?
If you cannot make your appointment, we would sincerely appreciate your cancelling at least 24 hours in advance by calling our office. If you fail to do so, a potential opening in the schedule is lost for another patient who may need to be seen. Although we certainly understand that unforeseen events may happen that will not allow you to make your appointment, for “repeat offenders,” we may need to charge a $25 fee for not showing for the scheduled appointment.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO BE SEEN BY THE DOCTOR?
You certainly may need a referral to be seen by Dr. Honet or another provider in the office. This requirement is determined by your insurance policy. Many HMOs require a referral for specialists. It is your responsibility to know if you need a referral. Please familiarize yourself with your own policy’s restrictions and requirements for being seen by specialists. Your primary care physician may be able to help you to determine this as well.
WHAT DO YOU CHARGE FOR A COSMETIC CONSULTATION?
The standard charge for a Cosmetic Consultation with Dr. Linda Honet is $100. This amount will be credited to cosmetic products or cosmetic procedures you purchase in the future. This fee will not be refunded if no cosmetic product or cosmetic procedure is purchased, but will be held in your account to be credited for any future purchases. Dr. Honet performs each and every Cosmetic Consultation and will customize each treatment regimen according to your needs, your cosmetic goals, your skin type, and your skin condition. Your consultation may include meeting other staff members to complete a comprehensive profile and treatment plan for you. Photos will be taken to track and follow your cosmetic progress.
ONCE I MAKE MY APPOINTMENT, HOW SHALL I PREPARE FOR IT AND WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
After you have called and scheduled your appointment with Honet Dermatology/Cosmetic, we would appreciate your organizing and bringing with you any information that may be pertinent to the skin issues you need addressed at the time of your visit. This may include any medications you are using currently and in the past, your past medical history, your family history, and any medical documents that may be pertinent to the past care of your skin. Examples of these include past office notes from another doctor, letters from doctors who have taken care of you, blood tests or other diagnostic test, as well as any skin biopsy/pathology results. You may also bring any old creams, ointments, or skin care products (or a photo of them), so that the HDC team can review them. Please make sure that you bring your photo ID (usually your driver’s license) and your insurance card(s). If you wish, you may download the New Patient Forms from our website and fill them out before your visit, so that we can expedite the processing when you arrive.
