Joanne Simpson, MD

Yes! You may select any online doctor or mid-level practitioner in our network who is licensed to practice in your state.

If you are currently seeing a dermatologist and they are on our network, you may select that doctor — or pick someone new. If you choose "no preference," you will be treated by the next available provider.

No. You do not need a referral to visit a DermatologistOnCall online dermatologist. We operate much like a walk-in clinic but online.

It depends on the state where you live and its regulations. Our system will let you know if this is required and will provide you with instructions on how to do the video call to complete your online visit. Video calls are only available in states in which they are required. You will still need to provide all medical information through the online portal, including uploading photos of the affected area.

Your online dermatologist will need much of the same information needed for an in-office appointment. Our online portal will prompt you to answer questions about your current medical history, to indicate your dermatologist and pharmacy preferences, and to submit photos of the affected area.

DermatologistOnCall adheres to the national patient information security standards found in both HIPAA and HITECH regulations, including sharing information with any accepted insurance providers. Your photos, personal and medical information, video chat, or diagnosis will never be made public.

Our board-certified dermatologists are trained to diagnose and treat over 3,000 medical conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails just as they would in-office.

No. Each visit covers the review, diagnosis, and treatment plan for one condition of the skin, hair, or nails.

Your online dermatologist will typically respond within 24 hours. If you select a specific dermatologist, they may not be available to provide treatment immediately. If that's the case, you may choose another provider or wait for your preferred doctor to respond. Our providers respond to all visits within 48 hours.

Your board-certified dermatologist will review your case and then provide you with a diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. Once completed, you will be notified by email or text message that your plan is available. You may access it at any time through our secure portal. Additionally, you may print your records or fax them to your primary care physician through our portal.

Prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy of your choice automatically. Your doctor will ask you for any additional information (or new photos) if needed.

Yes! If your doctor determines your condition will benefit from a prescribed medication, it will be included in your treatment plan. The order will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice.

You may submit a message to your online dermatologist for up to 30 days after your visit through the portal if you have additional questions or comments.

Your online dermatology visit covers only interactions within the DermatologistOnCall virtual dermatology office. Depending on your case, your doctor may determine that an additional in-office diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is needed. That in-office visit would be outside of DermatologistOnCall, and payment or insurance coverage for those services would be separate.

The cost of conducting an online visit with DermatologistOnCall is $95. We accept all major credit cards. You may also use a Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you have a promo code, be sure to enter the code on the payment page. You may not combine promo codes with other discounts, including insurance.

The online visit fee does not cover prescriptions and follow-up appointments outside the 30-day communication period. Prescription coverage terms vary by insurance carrier. Prescriptions issued by out-of-network providers may or may not be covered by your plan. If you have concerns about prescription drug coverage, make your provider aware of this during your visit. Please consult with your health insurance carrier for additional details on prescription medication coverage and/or reimbursement.

DermatologistOnCall does not accept insurance. However, online care may be covered by certain insurance plans as an out-of-network benefit. You may submit your visit to your carrier for reimbursement. Many of our patients pay for visits using their Health Spending Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Of course, all major credit cards are accepted, too.

Yes, but the patient will need a surrogate – a parent or legal guardian - to provide consent, oversee the online dermatology visit, and to handle the payment.

We make online dermatology visits available to patients who cannot care for themselves or are not comfortable using technology by enabling a surrogate to assist with virtual care. A surrogate is a contact legally authorized to act on behalf of a patient. All that is required to support a loved one on the platform is some basic information:

• the surrogate's relationship to the patient
• the surrogate's contact information
• the patient's name
• the surrogate's electronic signature to attest that the surrogate is legally authorized to act on the patient's behalf.

You get care from an online dermatologist using your smartphone, tablet, or computer to complete a visit. You do not need to download an app or additional software to your devices to access quality dermatology care.

Some states require a quick video call prior to your visit. You receive a notification if this applies to you when you start your visit and are prompted to download a free video-conferencing app based on your device.