Now Offering Virtual Visits
Peraza Dermatology Group is aware of the many factors that can keep patients at home, and we are prepared to see both new and existing patients virtually through telemedicine. Telemedicine allows you to have an appointment with our providers from the comfort and safety of your home using your smartphone or computer. Patients with both new concerns and/or chronic conditions can be treated through telemedicine. While telemedicine cannot always replace an in-person visit with us, it can help in times when you are unable to come to one of our four office locations.
During your telemedicine appointment, PDG providers can provide a variety of services for you, including:
- Examine skin, hair, or nails. The most common conditions include rashes, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
- Check suspicious spots on your skin. If we think a spot, such as a potential skin cancer, needs to be tested or removed, we may ask you to come into our office for an in-person appointment.
- Maintain treatment for chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, or eczema. Continued care for chronic conditions is important.
- Prescribe medications for skin conditions, if necessary.
Depending on your condition, we may want to see you in person instead of through telemedicine. Prior to scheduling your telemedicine appointment, we will ask a series of questions so that we can determine whether we can facilitate the appointment virtually. If you have questions or would like to find out if a telemedicine appointment would be possible for you, contact us today.
Telemedicine FAQs
If you have additional questions about telemedicine at Peraza Dermatology Group that are not covered in these Frequently Asked Questions, please contact our office.
Yes, Peraza Dermatology Group can prescribe or refill medications as needed.
Many insurance providers are updating their plans to cover telemedicine visits during the coronavirus pandemic. We recommend that you contact your health insurance provider prior to scheduling a visit to discuss coverage of telemedicine.
If your provider determines that an in-office follow-up visit or procedure is necessary, our staff will schedule an in-person appointment as soon as possible.
During a telemedicine virtual visit, you may experience technical difficulty with your connection or software. If this happens, you or your provider can decide to stop the telemedicine visit and connect by telephone instead.
No. An internet connection is required to connect for your telemedicine appointment, but you can choose to use either a smartphone, computer, or tablet to conduct your visit. Keep in mind that your device must include a built-in microphone and camera.
A member of the Peraza Dermatology Group staff will contact you a day or two before your scheduled telemedicine visit to give you our Consent form and the associated details to connect to the visit.
Peraza Dermatology Group works hard to remain on schedule throughout the day, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances can cause a delay. Please remain patient and stay in the waiting room if scheduled for a Zoom visit. If a provider is late to your visit, he/she will call you as soon as possible, usually within a few minutes of your scheduled time.
6 Simple Steps to Prepare for Your Telemedicine Appointment
To get the most from your telemedicine appointment, Peraza Dermatology Group offers these tips to help you get the dermatologic care you need:
Contact your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers telemedicine appointments. Many insurance providers are updating their plans to cover telemedicine visits during the coronavirus pandemic. We recommend that you contact your health insurance provider prior to scheduling a visit to discuss coverage of telemedicine.
Gather essential information before your appointment. This is especially important if you are a new patient to our practice. Knowing your medical history will help us make a diagnosis, decide treatment options, and prescribe medications, if necessary.
We will provide you with intake forms in advance of your appointment to gather the appropriate information. Before your appointment, make a list of the following if you are a new patient or be ready to communicate any updates about these topics that have taken place since your last visit:
- Medications you take
- Major illnesses or surgeries you have had
- Previous skin problems
- When your current symptoms began
- Your allergies
- Illnesses that your family members have had, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes
Write down all your questions before your appointment. Doing this helps you remember everything you plan to talk to us about and make the most of your appointment.
Take pictures before your appointment to help us examine your concern. Take clear pictures of the areas you need examined or be prepared to show the areas of concern over video. Follow these tips to make sure the pictures are the highest possible quality:
- Make sure your pictures are well-lit. Take your pictures in natural light, if possible. Use another light source, like a book light or flashlight, if needed. Make sure that there aren’t shadows or glares on the area you are taking pictures of.
- Take multiple pictures, including one of each side of the area you need examined. Make sure to show the entire area around your spot or rash. If your spot is hard to see, you may want circle it or draw an arrow pointing toward it with a marker.
- Take pictures to compare. For example, if you have a spot on your hand, take pictures of both hands so your dermatologist can see how that area usually looks. Make sure you also take a close-up and a far-away picture of the areas you are concerned about so your dermatologist can compare.
- Just like an in-person dermatologist appointment, do not wear makeup. If you need your nails examined, take off any nail polish you have on before taking any pictures.
- Get help. If you live with someone, ask them to take pictures of hard-to-reach areas, such as your back. If you live alone, use a mirror to make sure you are taking pictures of the right spot.
- If your picture turns out blurry, delete it and replace it with one that is clearer.
Avoid irritating your skin before your appointment. Try to avoid doing things that could change the appearance of your skin before you begin your telemedicine appointment or take your pictures. Some examples of things to avoid are taking a hot shower, rubbing or picking at your skin, or applying skin care products.
Find a quiet and private space without distractions to have your appointment. Make sure you can connect to the internet in that space and it has the best-possible lighting.