(Specific) Question About TV Dermatologists

[bsloan1960]

We live in Mass and will move to TV in 9 months. I go the the Dermatologist twice a year for "cancer checks" and as need when something starts growing on me that needs to be removed- usually "minor" cancers like a Basal Cell, etc.

New patients have to wait nearly 6 months to be seen by her, but she has a policy that CURRENT patients will be seen within 10 days for any skin problem that pops up. This is fantastic because these little cancers can grow large pretty fast. By comparison my Gastroenterologist makes CURRENT patients wait 3 months to be seen.

So my question is this- Does anyone see a Dermatologist who has a similar policy of seeing existing patients quickly like my current Mass Dr.? I hate to think I'd have to fly to Mass to be seen quickly if I get some rapidly growing lesion.

[retiredguy123]

I go to Dr. Casper at Alliant Dermatology. I don't know about a specific policy, but I have been able to get an appointment within a day or so, but it was with a PA, not the dermatologist. If you have an issue, that is good enough for me in an emergency.

[billethkid]

I go to Dr. Casper at Alliant Dermatology. I don't know about a specific policy, but I have been able to get an appointment within a day or so, but it was with a PA, not the dermatologist. If you have an issue, that is good enough for me in an emergency.

Ditto above.....they are with Alliant Dermatology. Never a problem getting a sooner than later appointment.

The PAs there I think are exceptional!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I went with Aesthetic Dermatology and booked my first consultation two weeks ago, for today. He took two biopsies during the initial evaluation. It was with Dr. Allyn.

[Mrs.Guy]

:icon_wink:
Dr. Casper at Alliant Dermatology. You can always call and find out.

[JohnN]

I go to Dr. Casper at Alliant Dermatology. I don't know about a specific policy, but I have been able to get an appointment within a day or so, but it was with a PA, not the dermatologist. If you have an issue, that is good enough for me in an emergency.

I've been going to Alliant Dermatology for years. Great place.

[villagetinker]

An additional vote for Dr. Casper and his staff. my wife and i have been going for several years, and I did have one instance where I needed quick service and was seen almost immediately by another doctor in the practice. Item removed and tested, no cancer.

[Dotneko]

Had my first appointment with Alliant this week. Easy scheduling. Waiting on biopsy results. Ill be switching to them for my yearly skin checks too.

[walterray1]

An additional vote for Dr. Casper and his staff. my wife and i have been going for several years, and I did have one instance where I needed quick service and was seen almost immediately by another doctor in the practice. Item removed and tested, no cancer.

been a patient for almost 10 years. Great doctor and practice. Speed for appointment is an issue but quality of service is the most important in my mind.

[bsloan1960]

Thank You for your answers!

[Stu from NYC]

Try advanced dermatology

[dewilson58]

The Dermatology Institute and Skin Cancer Center
2783 Brownwood Blvd, The Villages, FL 32163

[LucyP]

We live in Mass and will move to TV in 9 months. I go the the Dermatologist twice a year for "cancer checks" and as need when something starts growing on me that needs to be removed- usually "minor" cancers like a Basal Cell, etc.

New patients have to wait nearly 6 months to be seen by her, but she has a policy that CURRENT patients will be seen within 10 days for any skin problem that pops up. This is fantastic because these little cancers can grow large pretty fast. By comparison my Gastroenterologist makes CURRENT patients wait 3 months to be seen.

So my question is this- Does anyone see a Dermatologist who has a similar policy of seeing existing patients quickly like my current Mass Dr.? I hate to think I'd have to fly to Mass to be seen quickly if I get some rapidly growing lesion.

Dermatology & Mohs Surgery DrJonny Gurgen DO FAOCD 352-435-7695. Two locations.

[Sunflower33]

I agree. We left Casper who we saw for years because we could never get an appt Dermatology institute saw us immediately as a new patient We also got seen quickly for other problems. Love the doctor and staff

[Bridget Staunton]

Dr Hassanein great surgeon & dermatologist, on 466 behind CVS my hubby see him every 3 months

[Gunny2403]

I see a Dr. Hicks. I was a new patient and got in fairly quickly

[Rzepecki]

Lake Dermatology, Dr. Torres - we’ve been going to him for 10 years, always great service. Both the staff and doctor are friendly and very helpful.

[Joe C.]

My primary care physician, who I see at least three times a year, does a skin check on my head, arms, chest and back. So far, he has taken care of anything he notices that may be pre-cancerous. I'm very satisfied.

[biker59]

I use Advanced Dermatology at their office near Spanish Springs, though they have several offices. Very little delay for a new patient.

[danajowho]

The title says it all. Thank you for the policy.

[MoNonnon]

I also go to Alliant Dermatology. Very happy there. But now, my biopsy showed a squamous cell on the bridge of my nose that needs Mohs surgery. I can’t have it done until January! 😳 I’m on the giant wait list.

[Quixote]

We live in Mass and will move to TV in 9 months. I go the the Dermatologist twice a year for "cancer checks" and as need when something starts growing on me that needs to be removed- usually "minor" cancers like a Basal Cell, etc.

New patients have to wait nearly 6 months to be seen by her, but she has a policy that CURRENT patients will be seen within 10 days for any skin problem that pops up. This is fantastic because these little cancers can grow large pretty fast. By comparison my Gastroenterologist makes CURRENT patients wait 3 months to be seen.

So my question is this- Does anyone see a Dermatologist who has a similar policy of seeing existing patients quickly like my current Mass Dr.? I hate to think I'd have to fly to Mass to be seen quickly if I get some rapidly growing lesion.

I'm confused. If there is a six-month wait for new patients and you're not moving here for nine months, why not make your new patient appointment now f for nine months from now, when you will be here? If they say it's too far in advance, then do so in a couple of months. Or am I missing something?

Btw, who is 'her'? ('New patients have to wait nearly 6 months to be seen by her....)

I had a fairly deep melanoma in 1992 (Clark's level 3, as they were measured in those days) and learned in 2002 that I had already exceeded what 'they' considered my life expectancy. Here I am in the care of Village Dermatology, where I had a PA with eagle eyes who caught things that no one else could see. She's no longer there, but I feel confident in her replacement. Dr Tran gets involved with surgery when my biopsies do not have clean margins, and because of careful, frequent checkups, I have not had further surgery in several years (though quite a bit prior to that).

When we first moved here in 2007, I had a dreadful experience with Dr Hassanein and his staff and would never go back there.

Let's see: 2022 - 1992 = 30 years. In 1992 I was told that if I had a recurrence, there was no treatment available. Today there are various treatments available. Need I say more?...

[Hifred]

The Dermatology Institute and Skin Cancer Center
2783 Brownwood Blvd, The Villages, FL 32163

On my first visit to see Dr. Knapp at the Dermatology Institute in Brownwood, they told me I needed 3 areas biopsied. I had been a patient at the Skin Cancer Institute at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago so I have had biopsies before. I told Dr. Knapp, his nurse and the front desk when I came in that I wanted an estimate of cost before getting any work done. I was given a reasonable estimate and they removed the three areas of skin for testing. The bill, which I received weeks later, was more than triple what they told me. I have health insurance with United Health Care and I wanted to make sure what they were doing was covered because we are on a budget and I know I have $100 copay and then I pay 20% of additional costs for some procedures and I pay higher for other procedures and labs. My bill turned out to be more than $600. I was very upset because that was no where near the $180 bill I expected. I talked to the office staff who could care a less and said that is what I owed. I did pay it but will not go back there. With regard to the care, the biopsies I had healed fine. Typically when I would get work done in Chicago they explain after care, give me written instructions as well and also a small bag with bandages and ointment. I didn't get any after care bandages or ointment so I went to Walgreens and bought the cloth bandages which would not prevent me from seeing them again but the outrageous bill has them on my do not return list. I have been going to the dermatologist at Shands UF health. I get in quickly and go there for my mamograms and other health needs.

[chrisinva]

I have had nothing but bad experiences (except for once) at Alliant Derm yet most on TOTV and Next Door rave about it, even my spouse who goes to Dr. Casper, thinks it's great.

Don't recall how long I had to wait for my first body check in 2020, but the visit was so rushed that I was caught off guard & didn't ask any of my questions. The doc found some small issues (squamous cell?) on my upper lip & near hairline so I was scheduled for 3 follow up sessions with the PA. The follow up appointments were scheduled 4 months in the future, nothing earlier was available; maybe if the issues had been more serious the appointments would have been earlier, don’t know. (BTW, I'm retired with an open schedule. ) The PA was terrific, took her time with me & recommended, at my request, another doc to see for next year’s appt. Unfortunately, the next 2 yearly appointments were the same – rush rush. This year, 2022, the doc wanted to remove a spot on my arm & gave me the option to use a procedure that would hurt & not leave a scar, or a procedure that wouldn’t hurt & leave a scar. HUH? Let’s get some clarification. No way. When I hesitated, she immediately put the can of nitrogen (?) back on the counter & told the assistant to note that I refused treatment. Good bye Alliant Derm.

[bsloan1960]

I'm confused. If there is a six-month wait for new patients and you're not moving here for nine months, why not make your new patient appointment now f for nine months from now, when you will be here? If they say it's too far in advance, then do so in a couple of months. Or am I missing something?

Btw, who is 'her'? ('New patients have to wait nearly 6 months to be seen by her....)
...

Hi, The "Her" is the doctor I see in Mass. It is an office with 1 doctor and no PAs. I gave the 6 months figure simply to show the contrast between new patient and existing patient.

I already plan to make an appt in TV months in advance of moving here. The central information I was hoping to learn is if there is a Dermatology Practice that will give a No Wait / Short Wait appointment to an Existing patient in case I get a growth that needs attention quickly.

[bsloan1960]

I also go to Alliant Dermatology. Very happy there. But now, my biopsy showed a squamous cell on the bridge of my nose that needs Mohs surgery. I can’t have it done until January! 😳 I’m on the giant wait list.
That is the "wait" I want to avoid. I'm wondering if there is a Dermatology practice that would not make someone wait to have a cancer removed, or a Mohs surgery. If I had to wait until January to have a cancer removed from my nose I'd be really unhappy.

[FloridaLady]

I see Dr Bolton at Alliant. I have had melanoma 2x. Last one being 1 1/2 years ago and Dr Bolton found it. I go every 3 months and she tells me if I see anything to call and they will get me right in. They do have 3 locations

[jandkindy]

Just wondering who the dermatologist is that you (Hifred) see at Shands? Thanks

[walterray1]

I have had nothing but bad experiences (except for once) at Alliant Derm yet most on TOTV and Next Door rave about it, even my spouse who goes to Dr. Casper, thinks it's great.

Don't recall how long I had to wait for my first body check in 2020, but the visit was so rushed that I was caught off guard & didn't ask any of my questions. The doc found some small issues (squamous cell?) on my upper lip & near hairline so I was scheduled for 3 follow up sessions with the PA. The follow up appointments were scheduled 4 months in the future, nothing earlier was available; maybe if the issues had been more serious the appointments would have been earlier, don’t know. (BTW, I'm retired with an open schedule. ) The PA was terrific, took her time with me & recommended, at my request, another doc to see for next year’s appt. Unfortunately, the next 2 yearly appointments were the same – rush rush. This year, 2022, the doc wanted to remove a spot on my arm & gave me the option to use a procedure that would hurt & not leave a scar, or a procedure that wouldn’t hurt & leave a scar. HUH? Let’s get some clarification. No way. When I hesitated, she immediately put the can of nitrogen (?) back on the counter & told the assistant to note that I refused treatment. Good bye Alliant Derm.

most of what is in this post is more than confusing, less than credible and apparently with an attached agenda (even his wife disagrees with the premise). Doctor Casper has been my guy for over 10 years and I am very happy with the relationship. Had successful surgery for melanoma on my leg and successful superficial electron therapy for a basal cell on my ear. Would recommend him and Alliant as if my life depended on it.

[Snowbug]

Dermatology & Mohs Surgery DrJonny Gurgen DO FAOCD 352-435-7695. Two locations.
I also used Dr Gurgen and just had a Moh's procedure done. This is my third one, but first one down here. Very impressed and will stay with them. Check out Dr Gurgen's credentials and reviews.

[Fun in the sun 2]

I see Dr. Tarek Shaath at Care Dermatology at 1040 Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages.
Phone number 352-218-3211
When researching his background his undergrad is in microbiology (good if he is looking for skin cancer on slides). Also good education and head resident at FSU. (There was a lot of detail I found that made him a perfect candidate to be my doctor.) Pleased with his medical care and caring is very evident. You can get in to see him in a timely manner.

[Viperguy]

They all love to cut

[merrymini]

People rave about Alliant Derm but I went there for a couple of years and left because I was not happy with the physician I saw or the PA that saw me too, that included their attitude and treatment that was not working. I then went to TDI in Brownwood and finally got progress. You cannot know beforehand who will work for you.

[Hape2Bhr]

I also used Dr Gurgen and just had a Moh's procedure done. This is my third one, but first one down here. Very impressed and will stay with them. Check out Dr Gurgen's credentials and reviews.

Dr Gurgen also performed Moh's on me this past year. I was diagnosed in MA and they could not schedule surgery for me before returning to TV. I contacted Dr Gurgen's office (he does not advertise in the local paper) and they obtained the necessary paperwork from my northern dermotologist. One of his PA's first checked the spot; surgery was scheduled about a week later; job well done. I went to the Leesburg office.

[427dave]

I just changed to United Heath Care Focus Plan. I have been going to Alliant for 5 years. December they found spot that needed Mohs. They scheduled me for Jan 3rd. On Dec 30th they call and tell me that they will not be taking the Focus plan due to referrals being required. I had the referral sent to them in early December and they had said no problem at that time. after much discussion with them they cancelled my Jan 3 surgery because they would not accept the Focus plan. Jan 2 I called around attempting to find another Dermatologist that would take the Focus plan. They would not accept the Focus plan because of the referral requirement. I then called United Health care and said I wished to change back to my old plan because of this problem. At first they didn't understand because Alliant was an acceptable dermatologist. After spending 2 hours on the Phone with United I was able to change back to my old plan effective Feb 1st. I then called Allaint today to rebook my surgery because I changed back to my old coverage. They then informed me as of today they would begin accepting United's Focus plan. What a bunch of idiots! They may be good at dermatology but at paper work they are complete idiots! Now what?