Faq

Mission Statement

Our mission is to increase access and provide patients with highly convenient, high quality dermatology services through our US-wide network of board-certified dermatologists.

What is DermLink?

DermLink uses secure cloud-based and mobile technology to enable anyone with a skin, hair, nail or STD problem to receive private consultations online without needing to travel and wait for an appointment. Use our web application or download our iPhone app (featured by Apple as best new medical app). Upload photos of the skin problem, record optional video, answer simple questions, and within 2 business days receive a consultation and if needed a prescription from a board-certified dermatologist located in your state

Who are the DermLink dermatologists?.

All of our dermatologists are US board-certified, have been trained in the US, currently reside in the US, and maintain an active medical license in the state where you live. We have an extensive credentialing process to validate our dermatologists premier standing within the medical community. We track their medical license, NPI number, DEA record, and medical malpractice coverage and practice history.

When should I use DermLink?

• Anytime you have a skin condition that you would like a dermatologist to review and diagnose
• Anytime you have a mole you would like evaluated by a dermatologist
• Anytime you need a prescription refill for a skin condition (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, alopecia/hair loss, many others)
• When you want to see a dermatologist instead of your primary care doctor
• When you need a second opinion about your skin problem from one of our expert dermatologists
• When the wait to see your dermatologist is too long
• When you are on vacation or on a business trip
• When you are at your office
• When you are unable to travel to the dermatologist office for any reason like during the winter time or if you are simply busy
• Instead of going to the urgent care center for a skin concern
• When you want to be introduced to a new dermatologist
• When you want to see your dermatologist without visiting the office

Why use DermLink for your dermatology needs?

Annually there are over 100 million clinical dermatology cases in the United States and patients have to wait on average 4-6 weeks and up to six months in certain regions of the country to see a dermatologist in the office. In addition, primary care providers and urgent care centers treating skin problems with a misdiagnosis rate of up to 40%. Urgent care centers and emergency rooms are often expensive and are not regularly staffed with dermatologists.

DermLink is proven to provide a safe, trusted, and convenient pathway for thousands of patients like you to receive a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription for your skin problem within 2 business days from the moment a dermatologists accepts the inquiry, and from the comfort of your home, office, or while on vacation.

Who are the DermLink dermatologists?

All of our dermatologists are US board-certified, have been trained in the US, currently reside in the US, and maintain an active medical license in the state where you live. We have an extensive credentialing process to validate our dermatologists premier standing within the medical community. We track their medical license, NPI number, DEA record, and medical malpractice coverage and practice history. Please take a look at our dermatologist profiles on the DermLink homepage.

What conditions does DermLink diagnose?

DermLink is your virtual dermatologist and we diagnose any and all conditions of the skin, hair, nails, and genitals. We are open 24/7 and 365 for your convenience. We are convenient, fast, safe, and confidential.

DermLink can be used anytime you or your loved one has a worrisome skin condition, rash, mole, or bump. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Annually, there are more than 3 million skin cancers diagnosed, including over 75,000 new cases of invasive melanoma. DermLink can be great for skin cancer screening, as well as for episodic care for new conditions, care of chronic skin conditions, and for prescription refills. Below is a list of some common skin conditions that can be treated remotely by dermatologist via DermLink:

Is online dermatology effective in allowing for accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations?

Online dermatology has been practiced for decades in the US military and at various academic centers across the country. It has been proven safe and effective for both increasing patient access and for diagnosing skin cancers at an earlier stage. Online dermatology has rates of diagnosis that are similar to those with in person office visits. In fact, when dermatologists take their board exams, they are given photographs and asked to make diagnoses from them – a simulation of online dermatology.

Are photographs alone sufficient for dermatologists to provide a diagnosis?

In the vast majority of consultations, photographs of your skin condition are sufficient for making an accurate diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription. We also collect some written information about your skin condition. If the dermatologist needs to contact you for further information, they will either give you an email or phone call to discuss. If your online dermatologist cannot provide you with a definitive diagnosis from the photograph and information provided or if you need a follow up procedure (eg. Skin biopsy or cryotherapy) then they will ask you to come into the office for an in-person visit. This visit will often take place within days to a week.

Once I submit a case, how long before I receive a diagnosis?

After you submit your consultation, you will be matched with a local dermatologist. You will receive an email and PDF report with your diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescription information within 2 business days from the moment a dermatologists accepts the inquiry.

What if I need a biopsy or procedure for my skin condition?

If a biopsy or any other type of procedure is recommend for your skin condition, the local dermatologist whom you were matched will ask you to schedule an in person office visit as soon as possible. This will also allow you to be a priority for the office visit and many of our patients are given appointments within one week as opposed to the average wait time of 4-6 weeks.

What if my skin condition cannot be diagnosed remotely by a DermLink dermatologist?

Online dermatology has been practiced for years in the US military and at various academic institutions and has been proven safe and effective throughout the years. Our online dermatologists try their very best to render a diagnosis and prescription for your skin condition based upon the photos and information you submit. In approximately one in five consultations, the dermatologist may ask for you to visit the office for a follow up in order to either get a better look at your skin condition, perform a procedure like a skin biopsy or cryotherapy, or for further evaluation and education. In this case, you will be responsible for the consultation fee and for any fees associated with an in person office visit.

What if I need a prescription to treat my skin condition?

If the dermatologist determines that you will need a prescription medication to treat your skin condition, it will be sent electronically or by FAX to your selected local pharmacy as indicated in your account settings. The prescription will be waiting for you to pick up at your selected local pharmacy. Our dermatologists adhere to state and federal regulations regarding prescribing medications and do not prescribe prescription narcotics based upon the online visit.

Who do I contact if I need to ask follow up questions about my diagnosis or prescription?

Currently DermLink encourages you to contact your matched dermatologist and set up an in office follow up visit if you need to spend some time discussing your diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, or your skin condition in general. If you prefer, please contact our CEO at [email protected] and we will answer any questions that you may have as well. Our goal is to serve you and to provide 100% satisfaction.

Is my personal health information kept confidential?

Currently DermLink encourages you to contact your matched dermatologist and set up an in office follow up visit if you need to spend some time discussing your diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, or your skin condition in general. If you prefer, please contact our CEO at [email protected] and we will answer any questions that you may have as well. Our goal is to serve you and to provide 100% satisfaction.

Is the DermLink website and app secure?

DermLink operates a HIPAA-compliant web and mobile application. We take patient privacy for personal health information (PHI) very seriously and de everything in our power to protect patient data and we comply with all US governmental regulations.http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html

To address HIPPA compliancy, DermLink implemented the following measures:

• Every page of the web-based application uses High-grade Encryption (AES-256, 256 bit keys) to ensure privacy of patient and physician personal information (Medical history, photos, patient symptom-related answers, dermatologist diagnosis, treatment plan, contact information)
• DermLink uses Extended Security Certificate to formally confirm its users in which state and city the company is based
• Patient information (photos, medical history, and contact information) is disclosed to and viewed by only the referring and providing physicians. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, “the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes.”
• The server, where the patient information is stored and backed up, is located in the United States (Rackspace cloud services)
• DermLink does not process any billing from doctors and does not collect patient payment information. Dermlink leverages Paypal infrastructure to process patient payments.

Does DermLink have a terms of use or privacy policy?

Before using the DermLink service, both physicians and patients need to agree to the DermLink Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Please see the links below or visit our homepage.

Privacy Policy:https://www.dermlink.md/privacy.html

Terms of Use:https://www.dermlink.md/terms.html

Why is DermLink the largest and fastest growing network of US dermatologists?

• DermLink is proven and provides you with fast, reliable, safe, trusted answers to your dermatology concerns within 2 business days from the moment a dermatologist accepts the inquiry. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The DermLink network of dermatologists is the largest and fastest growing in the United States. All of our dermatologists are living and working in the US and are board-certified.
• We run regular quality control checks on both our software and our dermatologists to assure the highest quality of care.
• With each consultation, DermLink will provide you with a detailed PDF report outlining your diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescriptions. We also provide you with links to educational materials regarding your diagnosis.

How do I pay for the service?

DermLink allows for simple and convenient payment through our encrypted payment server. We accept all major credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover.