Clinical Practice

All of our physicians are board-certified dermatologists and members
of the American Academy of Dermatology, Michigan State Medical
Society, Michigan Dermatologic Society, and Kent County Medical Society.

Following is additional information about the practice.

Hours: For your convenience, our offices are open for appointments and
your phone calls Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Our office hours may vary throughout the year. Please
call for current scheduling or special needs. back to top

Appointments: We make every effort to be on time for our patients and
ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep your
appointment, please notify us immediately. If possible, give us 24-hour
notice. This allows us to give your appointment to another patient.

Prescription refills: Routine refills are handled during office hours only
because this is when we have access to your medical records. If you have
an appointment, please ask about refills at that time. If you call regarding a
refill and you have a new problem or have not been seen in over a year, an
appointment may be necessary.

Questions: When calling, please identify whether you have a billing, insurance,
appointment or medical question. This will allow us to direct your call to the
appropriate staff member.

Emergencies: During office hours our staff will direct your call to the
appropriate nurse or physician. For emergencies after hours, you may reach
the physician taking emergency calls by calling our regular phone number.

Severe inclement weather: During severe weather please call our office
ahead to verify we are still open.

Office visits: We ask for office visits to be paid at the time of service. The
only exceptions are Medicare, Medicaid and select managed care plans.
Co-pays are to be paid at time of service. back to top

Cosmetic procedures: All cosmetic procedures are to be paid at the time
of service and are not billed to insurance. We accept cash, check, Visa,
Mastercard and Discover.

Surgical procedures: We will file surgical services to your insurance
company. Please remember that most insurance companies do not reimburse
100%, therefore, partial payment may be required at time of service.

Insurance plans: There are many types of insurance plans. Several require a
referral from your physician prior to your being seen in our office. Obtaining
this referral is your responsibility and very important. If you have any
questions regarding our plan participation, please ask a staff member.

What is participation?: This refers to a contract between an insurance
carrier and a physician whereby the physician agrees to provide services at
the carrier’s fee schedule. When a physician is contracted with a carrier,
they are still required to collect a co-pay or deductibles. For non-covered
services, payment is also to be collected.

How are fees determined?: Several factors enter into determining fees
including federal regulations and the "usual and customary" reimbursement
levels set by insurance carriers. Each carrier reimburses based on a
"reasonable and customary" fee schedule by procedure code. Because
each carrier sets their own fees, there is a variation from policy to policy.

Pathology Services: Our on-site pathology lab at the Grand Rapids location
provides rapid biopsy services for anything that is excised or biopsied.
A "slide prep" is prepared and then examined by our physician and a written
pathology report is developed, these services are billed to your insurance.
When there is no insurance involved, the patient will receive these statements.
In some cases we will send pathology reports to an outside lab if required
by insurance. back to top

It is our sincere desire to assist you in every possible manner.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.



Contact Us Home Enhancement Skin Renewal Centre Services Products Ask the Doc Specials & Seminars Clinical Dermatology Associates of West Michigan Richard J. Ashack, M.D. Daniel C. Dapprich, M.D. Brian J. Gerondale, M.D. Robert J. Lamberts, M.D. John E. Miner, M.D. Karen J. Garbowitz, PA-C Kristen A. Snell, PA-C New Patients Forms Information
		All of our physicians are board-certified dermatologists and members of the American Academy of Dermatology, Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Dermatologic Society, and Kent County Medical Society. Following is additional information about the practice. Hours: For your convenience, our offices are open for appointments and your phone calls Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Our office hours may vary throughout the year. Please call for current scheduling or special needs. back to top Appointments: We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep your appointment, please notify us immediately. If possible, give us 24-hour notice. This allows us to give your appointment to another patient. Prescription refills: Routine refills are handled during office hours only because this is when we have access to your medical records. If you have an appointment, please ask about refills at that time. If you call regarding a refill and you have a new problem or have not been seen in over a year, an appointment may be necessary. Questions: When calling, please identify whether you have a billing, insurance, appointment or medical question. This will allow us to direct your call to the appropriate staff member. Emergencies: During office hours our staff will direct your call to the appropriate nurse or physician. For emergencies after hours, you may reach the physician taking emergency calls by calling our regular phone number. Severe inclement weather: During severe weather please call our office ahead to verify we are still open. Office visits: We ask for office visits to be paid at the time of service. The only exceptions are Medicare, Medicaid and select managed care plans. Co-pays are to be paid at time of service. back to top Cosmetic procedures: All cosmetic procedures are to be paid at the time of service and are not billed to insurance. We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Surgical procedures: We will file surgical services to your insurance company. Please remember that most insurance companies do not reimburse 100%, therefore, partial payment may be required at time of service. Insurance plans: There are many types of insurance plans. Several require a referral from your physician prior to your being seen in our office. Obtaining this referral is your responsibility and very important. If you have any questions regarding our plan participation, please ask a staff member. What is participation?: This refers to a contract between an insurance carrier and a physician whereby the physician agrees to provide services at the carrier’s fee schedule. When a physician is contracted with a carrier, they are still required to collect a co-pay or deductibles. For non-covered services, payment is also to be collected. How are fees determined?: Several factors enter into determining fees including federal regulations and the "usual and customary" reimbursement levels set by insurance carriers. Each carrier reimburses based on a "reasonable and customary" fee schedule by procedure code. Because each carrier sets their own fees, there is a variation from policy to policy. Pathology Services: Our on-site pathology lab at the Grand Rapids location provides rapid biopsy services for anything that is excised or biopsied. A "slide prep" is prepared and then examined by our physician and a written pathology report is developed, these services are billed to your insurance. When there is no insurance involved, the patient will receive these statements. In some cases we will send pathology reports to an outside lab if required by insurance. back to top It is our sincere desire to assist you in every possible manner. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
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