How Much Does Mole Removal Cost?

Jul 20, 2013 by Patricia    4 Comments    Posted under: Health & Beauty

Mole Removal Methods

1. Cutting or Shaving – A dermatologist will often cut or shave a mole off if it is being removed for cosmetic reasons. Stitches are not typically required for surface level moles, and the dermatologist will use cauterization or creams to stop bleeding after it’s been removed.
2. Excise – In other cases, a mole may need to be excised using deeper incisions and stitches after the removal.
3. Cryosurgery – A dermatologist may also choose to perform cryosurgery to remove the mole. Cryosurgery involves freezing the mole by applying liquid nitrogen to the area.
4. Electrocoagulation – Another method of mole removal is electrocoagulation, which involves burning the mole with a metal wire and an electric current.
5. Lasers – Some dermatologists may offer the use of lasers to remove moles.

With any of these methods, multiple treatments may be required because the mole may grow back several times. When a dermatologist suspects that the mole is precancerous or cancerous, the dermatologist will typically remove a small tissue sample from the mole to send for analysis before completely removing the skin lesion.

Costs & Factors

The cost to remove a mole depends on several factors, including but not limited to the mole’s shape, location on the body, size and removal method. A raised mole can be removed more easily than deeper ones because deep moles typically require deeper incisions, and they often require multiple treatments before they are completely removed. Moles that are on highly visible areas of a patient’s body require more delicate removal to avoid unsightly scarring, so moles that are on a patient’s face or neck will cost more to remove than ones that are found on parts of the body that are typically covered with clothing, such as the thighs.

A mole that is relatively large will require more cutting and possibly more treatments than a mole that is very small, and that will cost the patient more money. Freeze removal is typically the most expensive type of treatment. Laser removal is usually the second most expensive option, and surgical removal is typically the least expensive option. The less expensive treatment options will cost anywhere from about $50 to $200, while freezing and laser mole removal can cost upwards of $600 or more.

Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies will not cover mole removal for purely cosmetic reasons. Patients may be required to pay for the full mole removal procedure. However, many insurance companies will cover some of the costs if the mole is causing significant discomfort to the patient. Additionally, the mole removal will most likely be covered by insurance if the doctor suspects that the mole is cancerous.

Why Have a Mole Removed?

Some moles are large, hairy and very noticeable, so freezing or burning a mole from a patient’s body can improve a patient’s self confidence. However, there are other reasons for removing a mole other than cosmetic. Many moles are removed in order to perform a biopsy on the area of the skin where it is found. The dermatologist will remove the mole and then send it to the lab for tests to determine if the mole is benign or malignant.