Health Insurance Coverage for Asymptomatic Seborrheic Keratoses Treatment

Abstract

Seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common benign cutaneous neoplasms encountered in dermatology practice. However, treatment of asymptomatic seborrheic keratosis is not covered by health insurance. Patients frequently report being bothered by the lesions but decline treatment to avoid incurring “out of pocket” expenses. In this commentary, the authors explore the various conundrums associated with this and the implications for health equity and ethical medical financing.