Skin Cancer Screening and Mole Checks in Chicago

Q: How often should I get a skin check?

There is no single rule for everyone. The right timing depends on your risk factors, like your history, your number of moles, and your sun exposure, and we set a recheck cadence with you. A visit is always reasonable when a spot is new or changing, or concerning you for any reason.

Q: What happens if something looks concerning?

If a spot needs a closer look, we may take a small biopsy in the office and send the sample to a pathology lab. We reach out once we have received and reviewed the report, walk you through next steps, and help you schedule follow ups as needed.

Q: Is a skin cancer screening covered by insurance?

It depends on your plan and the reason for your visit. A skin check or biopsy for a changing, symptomatic, or suspicious spot is medical care and is typically billed to insurance. Removing a mole purely for appearance is usually cosmetic and self-pay. We participate with select plans, and we ask that you check with your insurance company if you have any questions.

A skin check helps us assess concerning spots and plan appropriate next steps. Our South Loop team evaluates new or changing spots and offers risk-informed screening when appropriate. Some spots need a biopsy for a definitive answer.

Physician-directed care, part of the Northwestern Medicine Physician Network.

Schedule a Screening

Call (847) 802-9667

DOWNTIME: None for the exam itself
MOST OFTEN USED FOR: New or changing spots
RESULTS AND FINDINGS: Benign findings discussed same visit; biopsies may be done at the same visit or scheduled based on physician or provider assessment
MAINTENANCE: Annual maintenance screening or risk-based recheck
PAYMENT: Insurance when medically indicated

What a Skin Check Involves

A full-body skin exam is a careful, organized look at your skin from head to toe. We check the face, ears, neck, trunk, arms, legs, between the toes, the soles, and the nails (we ask that you come with your nail polish off for the visit).

For a closer look, we use a dermatoscope. This handheld magnifying light makes pigment, vessel, and structural patterns easier to see.

Dermoscopy improves how we assess a spot, but it cannot confirm or rule out cancer on its own. Suspicious spots may still need a biopsy, and our goal remains finding skin cancers and precancers early.

Why Schedule This Visit

Routine annual skin cancer screening
A spot that is new, changing, itching, bleeding, or not healing
A personal or family history of skin cancer
Many moles or atypical moles
Fair or sun-sensitive skin, past blistering sunburns, or tanning-bed use
Skin cancer can occur in every skin tone. In darker skin tones, spots may appear in less sun-exposed areas, including the palms, soles, nails, mouth, buttocks, and genital area
Long hours outdoors for work or recreation
Older age, an organ or blood or marrow transplant, or immune suppression from a medical condition or medication. Skin cancer can develop at any age

What Happens at the Visit

You may be asked to change into a gown so we can examine your skin from head to toe. The exam is done with privacy, appropriate draping, and your consent, and we explain each step. Please tell us about any concern in a covered or sensitive area.

We use a dermatoscope on any spot that warrants a closer look. We also check the areas that sun-focused advice can miss, like the palms, the soles, and the nails.

With your permission, we may photograph selected spots when comparing them over time makes clinical sense. A spot that is concerning enough may need a biopsy rather than photos alone.

Possible Next Steps

Most visits end in one of two calm ways. Either everything looks benign and we recommend timing of your next check (annual or earlier if necessary depending on your risk), or a spot needs more information.

If a spot needs testing, we may take a small biopsy in the office either the same day or schedule you for it. The process involves numbing the area first, and removing a small piece of the area that needs further testing. Some biopsies may need a stitch. Once the sample is obtained, we send the sample to a pathology lab.

A biopsy leaves a small wound and sometimes requires stitches. Possible effects include soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, color change, and scarring, including a raised scar or keloid in susceptible patients.

Before a biopsy, tell us about your medications and supplements, including blood thinners, along with allergies, bleeding problems, and prior abnormal scarring. Follow the wound-care instructions we provide. Call us if bleeding continues after 20 minutes of firm, steady pressure, or for worsening pain, swelling, warmth, drainage, or fever.

We reach out once we have received the report and walk you through next steps.

If a biopsy shows skin cancer, treatment depends on the cancer type, its location and features, and your health. Options may include standard excision, another office procedure, topical treatment, radiation, or Mohs surgery. When Mohs is appropriate, we coordinate care with an outside Mohs surgeon and remain involved in your follow-up.

Using Insurance?

We participate with select plans, and coverage depends on your plan, network, and the reason for your visit. A skin check or biopsy for a changing or suspicious spot is medical care, typically billed to insurance, while removing a mole purely for appearance is usually self-pay.

We participate with select plans from insurers such as Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (PPO and Options), Cigna, Corvel, Humana, Imagine Health, Multiplan, The Alliance, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, United Healthcare, and Zelis. We also accept Medicare Part B and select Medicare Advantage plans. Participation varies by plan and network.

View Accepted Insurance Schedule a Screening

Why Patients Choose Advanced Dermatology

01 Physician-led

Dermatologist-Led Care.

Every treatment performed or supervised by a board-certified dermatologist — Dr. Monica Rani, MD (Medical Director) and Dr. Stavonnie Patterson, MD — or Sydney Freedman, PA-C.

02 Skin of Color