Medicare does not cover routine skin cancer screenings for people without symptoms. If you’re hoping to book a head-to-toe mole check purely as a preventive measure, Original Medicare will not pay for it. However, Medicare does cover dermatology visits when there’s a specific medical reason, and understanding that distinction can save you from unexpected bills while still getting the skin checks you need.
What Medicare Will and Won’t Pay For
The core rule is straightforward: Medicare Part B covers skin examinations that are prompted by a symptom or concern, not general screenings on otherwise healthy skin. A “screening” in Medicare’s definition means searching for disease in someone who hasn’t noticed anything wrong. That’s the category it excludes.
What Part B does cover falls into three scenarios:
- You notice something concerning. If you spot a changing mole, a new growth, an unusual spot, or any skin feature that worries you, a visit to your primary care doctor or a dermatologist to evaluate it is a covered diagnostic service.
- Your doctor spots something during another visit. If your physician notices a suspicious lesion while examining you for an unrelated issue, they can extend that appointment to investigate further. Medicare may cover the higher-level visit.
- You’re referred to a dermatologist. When any of the above leads to a specialist referral, that dermatology visit is also covered.
The practical takeaway: you don’t need to walk in with a confirmed diagnosis. Walking in with a concern, even something as simple as “this mole changed color” or “I have a new bump that won’t go away,” makes the visit diagnostic rather than a screening in Medicare’s eyes.
What You’ll Pay Out of Pocket
Covered dermatology visits fall under Part B’s standard cost-sharing. You’ll need to meet your annual Part B deductible first ($257 in 2025), then pay 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount for the visit. That 20% applies to the office visit itself, any biopsies your dermatologist performs, and lab tests run on tissue samples.
If your dermatologist doesn’t accept Medicare assignment, meaning they don’t agree to Medicare’s approved price, you could also face excess charges up to 15% above the approved amount. Checking whether a dermatologist accepts assignment before you book can prevent surprises.
How Medigap Plans Reduce Your Costs
If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy, it can cover some or all of that 20% coinsurance. Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, and M cover 100% of Part B coinsurance. Plan K covers 50%, and Plan L covers 75%. Plan N covers 100% with the exception of small copayments for certain office visits and emergency room visits. Plans F and G also cover Part B excess charges, protecting you if your dermatologist bills above the Medicare-approved rate.
What Happens if Cancer Is Found
When a biopsy confirms skin cancer, Medicare covers the treatment as a medically necessary service under Part B. That includes surgical removal and, when appropriate, a specialized technique called Mohs surgery, which removes cancer in thin layers while checking each layer under a microscope before continuing. This approach preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.
Medicare has specific criteria for when Mohs surgery qualifies as medically necessary. It’s typically covered for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas in sensitive locations: the central face, eyelids, nose, lips, ears, temples, hands, feet, genitalia, and nail beds. It’s also covered for cancers on the cheeks, forehead, scalp, neck, and jawline. For cancers on the trunk and extremities, Mohs is generally reserved for tumors arising in previously radiated skin, scar tissue, areas of chronic inflammation, or in patients with genetic syndromes that increase cancer risk. Recurrent skin cancers, those that come back after a prior removal, also frequently qualify.
The same 20% coinsurance and deductible rules apply to these procedures, so having supplemental coverage becomes especially valuable if you need surgery.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, so the same diagnostic visit rules apply. Some Advantage plans offer additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare provides, but routine skin cancer screening for asymptomatic people is not a standard add-on. If your plan advertises extra preventive benefits, check the evidence of coverage document or call the plan directly to confirm whether an annual skin check is included.
Keep in mind that Advantage plans typically require you to use in-network dermatologists and may require a referral from your primary care doctor before seeing a specialist. Out-of-network visits could cost significantly more or not be covered at all, depending on your plan type.
How to Get Covered Skin Checks
Because Medicare draws the line at whether you have a reason for the visit, being specific about your concerns makes a real difference in how the visit is billed. Before your appointment, note any skin changes you’ve observed: a mole that’s grown or changed shape, a sore that doesn’t heal, a rough scaly patch, or any new growth. Mention these to your doctor at the start of the visit. This ensures the encounter is documented as a diagnostic evaluation rather than a preventive screening.
If you have a personal history of skin cancer, follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence are considered medically necessary. Your dermatologist will document your history as the clinical reason for the exam, and Medicare covers these visits under the same Part B rules. The frequency your dermatologist recommends, often every three to twelve months depending on your cancer type and stage, is generally supported as long as the medical record reflects ongoing monitoring of a known condition.
For people without symptoms or a history of skin cancer who still want a full-body check, some dermatologists offer self-pay skin screenings at a flat rate, typically between $50 and $200 depending on your area. Community skin cancer screening events, often held in May during Skin Cancer Awareness Month, sometimes provide free checks through organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology.