Dermatologist recommendations?
I'm looking for an excellent dermatologist on the UC Berkeley HealthNet plan (Blue and Gold HMO) who can monitor my skin carefully..... I've had two melanomas and was very well taken care of the second time at UCSF, but my current insurance does not cover UCSF.
I prefer a dermatologist who does not sell any fancy skin care lines or do cosmetic surgery.
Nov 7, 2017
Parent Replies
Dr. Richard Glogau at UCSF has helped me for the last 18 years with my rare cutaneous lymphoma - yes, he is an innovator in botox etc, but he is a serious and exceptional dermatologist, routinely in the "best doctors in the Bay Area, in the US" etc...he may be in or out of your network...I've gone to others when I had Kaiser, went to Stanford etc...just go see him...and he usually has an associate...don't see the associate, you want to see him.
And Marcey Shapiro MD 510-525-2200 is on Solano Ave and she helped me in a holistic way- ex'd "Wholly Immune" and helped me in general
And the Ida and Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center at the old Mt Zion campus in SF helped me research my optimum nutrition, and they have folks who will research things for free for you
And, last but not least, Optimum Health Institute in San Diego is a place I have gone sometimes...week long retreat...both intense and peaceful at the same time, very positive...
Best wishes on your journey
I'm also on the UC HealthNet Blue and Gold HMO but am a little puzzled by you saying that your insurance doesn't cover UCSF. I've selected my medical group as Hill Physicians/UCSF, so my primary care doctor and most of my care is at UCSF. But even if you haven't selected Hill Physicians as your medical group, your primary care physician is able to refer you to *any* doctor in Canopy Health (Hill Physicians, John Muir and Meritage). Page 3 here explains: https://www.healthnet.com/static/custom/unprotected/pdfs/blue_and_gold_…. Also, this document explains the relationship among HealthNet/Canopy/Hill/etc. very well and emphasizes that all UC doctors are part of HealthNet Blue and Gold: https://www.healthnet.com/static/custom/unprotected/pdfs/UC_Member_B_an… would suggest giving HealthNet a call to better understand your options and how you can continue to get care through UCSF.
I've been seeing Dr Graham at Affiliates in Dermatology in Oakland. He seems to be very thorough and has a good bedside manner. He's never tried to sell any products to me and I've never asked him about cosmetic surgery, so I don't know if he does that or not. I've been very happy with him. There's melanoma in my family, but I have not been diagnosed myself, so I don't have direct experience with melanoma treatment. You'd have to ask whether they take your insurance, though. Their number is 510-652-8091.
I have no idea what insurance he takes other than mine, which is Blue Shield, but I happily recommend Richard Graham, who has offices in Oakland and Alameda. He is thoughtful and thorough and takes time to explain things. When I asked about cosmetic procedures he said he could not offer them because he knew his med school professor (from Johns Hopkins maybe?) would roll over in his grave. Both my husband and I see him and we agree, he's great!
I just started going to Dr. Browne at Dermatology Associates of Berkeley. Not sure if they are on that plan. I went for a skin check and thought she was very professional and thorough (btwn my toes!!), way more so than my previous dermatologist. I don't think they sell any skin care there -- at least if they do, it is so subtle, I didn't notice! It feels like a doctor's office, not a spa :)