Question 1

How do we approach patient care?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sandhya Koppula aims to deliver holistic dermatology care and empower your patient-physician relationship. We understand that patients consider many factors before stepping foot into the clinic. Therefore, we prioritize listening to the patient's story/history first before thorough examination. Only then do we customize the best treatment plan which aligns with the patient's daily routine. We encourage patients to be involved in their own care.

Question 2

How does our telemedicine service work?

Accepted Answer

If you cannot miss work/school and would like a spot or rash checked, Dr. Koppula offers a teledermatology service where you can send photos of your concern and a brief patient form. This process is HIPAA-secure and we return a comprehensive treatment, prevention, and education plan within 24-48 hours. Each consult is $100. Please visit oregontelederm.com for more details. Please see our "Services" page for more details or call the Clinic at 503-439-6969.

Question 3

Is Dr. Koppula a preferred provider?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koppula is NOT a participating provider with any health insurance plan, including Medicare. Dr. Koppula is an "out-of-network provider" and should not be listed in any preferred provider directories after January 1, 2020. Signing off of insurance contracts removes a layer of bureaucracy while granting Dr. Koppula more freedom to offer better patient care.

Question 4

Does my insurance cover a visit at Cornell Dermatology Clinic?

Accepted Answer

Your insurance may cover your visit based on your out-of-network benefits. We provide you an itemized statement on the day of your visit with the information you need for self-billing paper claims. We do not bill any health insurance plans. We recommend that you call your insurance company about your specific out-of-network benefits. Medicare will not cover any service rendered at the Clinic, nor can they be billed by the patient or the provider (see next question for more details).

Question 5

Can Medicare cover my visit?

Accepted Answer

We are happy to see Medicare patients on a private-pay basis. Dr. Koppula has opted out of Medicare, which means that neither the patient nor the provider can bill Medicare for reimbursement. To satisfy Medicare rules, patients over 65 must sign a form to confirm that they understand the private-pay agreement made by Cornell Dermatology Clinic. If you have any questions about billing, please call the Clinic at 503-439-6969.

Question 6

What should I expect to pay as a patient?

Accepted Answer

Generally speaking, we bill ~$550-$600 for in-person consults and ~$300+ for telemedicine consults, but every patient has varying needs. This is why our staff give custom quotes or direct you to clear services when you contact us. All payments are required at the time of service. Our staff will give you a quote or estimate on what to expect for a visit when you call the clinic (503-439-6969) or request an appointment online.

Question 7

How are prescriptions handled?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koppula will send in necessary prescriptions to your pharmacy. We also recommend that you contact your insurance plan to understand your prescription coverage. Our team also handles any required prior authorizations.

Question 8

How can I pay for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, all major credit cards, and checks. Credit cards and checks are processed through our point-of-sale merchant.

Question 9

Do you accept HSA or FSA cards?

Accepted Answer

We do accept HSA and FSA cards as payment for appointments. Given the increase of high-deductible health plans in the U.S., patients find that using their savings/spendings cards at our clinic is a worthwhile investment.

Frequently asked questions