Appointments

We request that you call during office hours to schedule appointments Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you have an urgent dermatological problem, call the office, and we will make every effort to accommodate you as soon as possible.

Ask whether we accept your insurance. Bring your insurance card, copayment and photo I.D. to all visits. Annually, we will update your demographic and insurance information at your first visit of the year, and we may ask to verify information at any visit. If your insurance plan requires referrals from your primary care physician, you are required to ensure that you have a current referral on file with us prior to your appointment. Minor patients must be accompanied by a legal guardian. We will verify your demographic information annually. To avoid interruption to your care, be sure to tell our staff if your name, address, phone number, or insurance information changes.

We attempt to confirm appointments by phone prior to the appointment date, but it is ultimately your responsibility to keep your appointment. If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, call the office as soon as possible. Please be aware that a $50 fee will be charged for missed appointments.

Timeliness is important. Due to schedule arrangements and consideration of other patients who are on time, you will be asked to reschedule if you arrive 15 minutes (or more) late to an appointment.

If you like, you may complete our patient forms at home and bring them to your appointment. Just click here to go to Patient Forms; then click on the forms that apply to you.

What to Bring to Your Appointments

Photo I.D.
All Insurance cards
Policy Holder(s) name, DOB, SSN, address
Insurance policy number(s) if not on card
Payment for any copay, deductible, or other patient responsibility
Referral from your insurance company if HMO
Names and doses of all medications
Names (first & last) of other doctors
Allergy and medical history information

Office Visits

At your first visit, Dr. LaKimerly Coates will discuss your condition and design a treatment plan to suit your individual needs.

Follow-up visits will be suggested based upon your condition and treatment plan. Continued, consistent care is important, and we stress the benefits of keeping your appointments and carefully observing your treatment plan.

We recommend following up at least once per year for a complete skin examination during which Dr. Coates examines even the skin which you are unable to see (e.g. the back and scalp) to recognize skin growths which may be, or may become, cancerous. Early detection and treatment can prevent more serious problems. Regular exams are especially important for patients with a history of skin cancer or abnormal moles. They can be life-saving and are an important factor in providing the highest quality of patient care.

Emergency Care

If you have a problem requiring emergency treatment after office hours, go to any emergency room immediately. Life-threatening medical emergencies should be directed to the 9-1-1 system.

Children/Minors

Patients under 18 years of age need the consent of a parent or other legal guardian to be treated. Consent must be obtained at the initial visit and annually thereafter, as well as for each visit during certain types of treatment.

Minors must be accompanied to their appointments by a legal guardian. If you, as the legal guardian of a minor patient, do not plan to accompany the patient to a visit, let our staff know in advance to see whether arrangements can be made. Surgical procedures will not be performed on minor patients without a guardian present.

Billing, Fees, and Insurance

As a courtesy, Rockford Dermatology will submit a claim to most insurance companies if you present a current insurance card, complete policy and policy holder information, and give your consent. You are responsible for any applicable co-payments and deductibles at the time of service. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. (Co-payments and deductibles are the responsibility of the patient and cannot be discounted or go unpaid.) Co-insurance will be billed to you after your insurance company determines your portion. Timely payment is expected.

You must complete all sections of our Registration Form, consenting to our Financial Policy and giving your permission for us to bill your insurance. (Click here to read our Registration Form.)

If your insurance plan requires a referral or authorization from your primary care physician, it is your responsibility as the patient to know your policy and to acquire a copy or arrange for it to be sent to our office prior to your visit. If you are unsure whether PCP referral is required by your policy, it may be printed on your insurance card. If not, consult your policy, or contact your insurance company’s customer service. Referrals required by insurance companies are often limited to a few visits, or to a specific time frame. Contact us if you are unsure whether you have a current referral on file.

For patients without insurance, payment in full is due at the time services are rendered.

If you have any questions regarding the cost of services provided, do not hesitate to ask a member of our staff prior to the procedure or visit.

Questions about your policy (for example, whether a planned service is covered, or how your insurance company might pay) should be directed to your insurance company. If you have a question about a statement that we have sent to you, or if you do not feel that you should owe the amount on your statement, please contact our office. Just call during business hours, and ask to speak with someone in our Billing Department.

Prescriptions

Please check with your pharmacy to see whether you have prescription refills available. If not, please ask the pharmacy staff to fax the office a refill request. Unfortunately, we will not be able to refill your prescription if you have not been evaluated in the office within six months.