Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Realizes a $9.5 million Increase in Net Profit in One Year

The high cost of a confusing dermatology bill

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Dermatology patients are consumers first. They're comparing providers online, booking visits on their phones, and holding every practice they interact with to a higher standard. For Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery — one of the largest dermatology networks in the United States — that reality shapes how they think about every patient touchpoint, including the bill.

As out-of-pocket costs climbed, that bill carried more weight than ever. "Patients were craving more information," says Amanda Six, Vice President of Revenue Cycle. "They wanted to understand their insurance benefits and balance breakdown, so they could feel confident about the charges."

The billing process itself added to the friction. Statements went out in batches twice a month, and thousands of patients would receive their bill on the same few days. That triggered a wave of inbound calls that the customer service team spent weeks working through before the next cycle started all over again.

In a specialty where patients choose you, every friction point gives them a reason to look elsewhere.

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"We wanted one platform from check-in to billing and collection — so there weren't so many moving pieces for the patient."

Yesenia Alvarez, Executive Vice President of Operations, Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Sugery

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Designed for the patient, built for the practice

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To continue to stand out in a crowded market and fulfill their promise of relationship-based care, Advanced Dermatology needed a financial experience that matched the quality of care they deliver. That meant replacing siloed point solutions, manual processes, and opaque billing with a consumer-grade payment process.

"We wanted one platform from check-in to billing and collection — so there weren't so many moving pieces for the patient," says Yesenia Alvarez, Executive Vice President of Operations.

Advanced Dermatology found that in Cedar. Patients now receive clear, mobile-optimized statements via text, email, and paper that show exactly how insurance benefits apply and what they owe. Self-service payment tools give patients the flexibility to resolve balances on their own terms, without needing to call in.

"The process of setting up payment plans has been a game changer," says Six. "Patients feel like they have more control when it comes to managing payments."

The impact extended to the customer service team. When patients call, staff now open Cedar before their own practice management system because they want to see exactly what the patient sees before diagnosing an issue. "It has become an indispensable tool," says Tara Bowen, Customer Service Manager. "Some of our representatives swear by it."

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"We constantly see payments increasing. Cedar's communication strategy and user-friendly experience have helped us streamline the end-to-end bililng process."

Amanda Six, Vice President of Revenue Cycle, Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

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A $9.5 million return on a better experience

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In just 12 months after launching Cedar Pay, Advanced Dermatology realized a $9.5 million increase in net profit — with 91% of paitent collections showing evidence of digital engagement. "We constantly see payments increasing," says Six. "Cedar's communication strategy and user-friendly experience have helped us streamline the end-to-end billing process."

The operational gains were just as meaningful. With patients able to manage their bills through self-service tools, the customer service team got time back. "Simple things like clicking a button to email a statement versus printing one out and mailing it have helped make calls easier and more efficient," says Bowen. "When patients do need support, our teams now have more capacity."

But Alvarez sees something bigger. "Cedar gives patients a consistent experience with our brand," she says. With a 91% satisfaction score on billing, Advanced Dermatology patients get a premium experience from the first appointment to the final payment.

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