Dermatologist Medical Group of North County: 2026 Guide

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North County San Diego · Medical, surgical & cosmetic dermatology

From a Changing Mole to Mohs Surgery: Choose the Right North County Dermatology Visit

Dermatologist Medical Group of North County provides medical, surgical and cosmetic skin care through offices in Oceanside, Encinitas and Carmel Valley. Its clinicians manage common problems such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis as well as skin cancer screening, biopsies, dermatologic surgery, Mohs surgery, contact-allergy testing and cosmetic treatments.

This guide brings the practical patient details together: which office is easiest to reach, how appointment requests work, what new patients should prepare, when insurance authorization is needed, how biopsy and skin-cancer care progresses, how patch testing works, what cosmetic deposits and cancellation fees apply, how to request refills and where to start with medical records or billing.

Request an appointment Open patient portal Choose your visit type
Do not wait on a routine online appointment for a rapidly changing or concerning lesion. The practice advises dermatology evaluation for new, irregular, changing, bleeding or non-healing skin growths. A photograph or visual guess cannot confirm whether a spot is cancerous; suspicious lesions may require biopsy and microscopic examination.
3 offices

Oceanside, Encinitas and Carmel Valley.

Main phone

760-758-5340

General hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Telehealth

Available for new and established patients when appropriate.

Patient portal

Results, messages and refill workflow through ModMed.

Start with the right dermatology path

What kind of Dermatologist Medical Group appointment do you need?

MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY Rash, acne, eczema, psoriasis or changing skin

Start with a medical dermatology visit when you need diagnosis or treatment for an active skin, hair or nail problem.

Common reasons: acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, infection, unusual rash, nail disease, hair concerns, moles and skin-cancer screening.
SURGICAL DERMATOLOGY Biopsy result or confirmed skin cancer

A pathology diagnosis may lead to excision, curettage and desiccation, Mohs micrographic surgery or another treatment selected for the cancer type and location.

Do not assume every biopsy requires Mohs; treatment is chosen after the diagnosis and clinical details are known.
COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY Appearance-focused treatment

Cosmetic services include injectables, lasers, peels, microneedling and elective removal of selected benign growths.

Cosmetic appointments generally use a separate cash/deposit policy because elective treatment is usually not covered by health insurance.

Go directly to the patient task you need

The important rules and procedures are explained inside this article. Use the official site mainly when you are ready to submit the appointment request, log into the portal, pay or download a form.

North County San Diego offices

Choose the office by provider, service and driving route—not ZIP code alone

Dermatologist Medical Group of North County locations
Office Address Local landmark / approach Best planning step
Oceanside 3613 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92056 Located in the Ocean Terrace Complex near Vista Way and Rancho Del Oro. Call 760-758-5340 and verify early-morning hours before an 8-9 a.m. visit.
Encinitas 1200 Garden View Rd., Suite 108, Encinitas, CA 92024 Located in the UCSD Medical Plaza; DMG says it is on the east end of the building. From I-5, the practice directs patients toward Leucadia Boulevard, El Camino Real and Garden View Road.
Carmel Valley 11943 El Camino Real, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92130 Located in the Ryan Plaza Complex near Carmel Valley Road and El Camino Real. This location is convenient from I-5 via the Carmel Valley Road exits.
Published-hours conflict: The current homepage, contact page and most service pages list 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. An older Oceanside office page still displays 9 a.m.-5 p.m.. Treat an early Oceanside start time as something to confirm directly rather than assuming either page is universally correct.
Open current directions Call 760-758-5340
First visit preparation

What a new DMG North County patient should have ready

The practice provides a multi-page new-patient registration packet. Completing the paperwork before arrival can prevent check-in from becoming the longest part of the visit.

Photo identification
Current primary insurance card
Secondary insurance card if applicable
Proof of prior authorization when required
Primary-care physician information
Current medications
Over-the-counter vitamins and supplements
Drug allergies
Preferred pharmacy information
Emergency contact
Insurance-card detail: The registration form specifically asks patients to present both the insurance card and picture ID at check-in so the practice can make copies.

Prepare your skin history, not just your paperwork

What changed?

Write down when the rash, lesion, acne flare or other problem began and whether it is changing.

What have you tried?

Include prescription creams, over-the-counter products, antibiotics, biologics and cosmetic products that affected the condition.

Skin-cancer history

Tell the clinician about previous biopsies, basal or squamous cell cancers, melanoma and close family history.

Download new-patient forms
Match expertise to the problem

The closest office may not be the best office for every dermatology problem

DMG’s current team includes board-certified dermatologists plus physician assistants and a dermatology-certified nurse practitioner. Provider schedules vary by location, and several clinicians have additional interests such as dermatopathology, Mohs surgery, contact dermatitis or cosmetic laser treatment.

General medical dermatology

Useful for acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, rashes, moles, skin checks and many hair/nail disorders.

Surgical / skin-cancer focus

Several physicians list dermatologic surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery among their areas of expertise.

Contact dermatitis

Dr. Alina Goldenberg leads the practice’s Contact Dermatitis Clinic and specialized patch-testing program.

Scheduling shortcut: Tell scheduling both the condition and preferred geographic area. “I need a mole check near Encinitas” is more useful than requesting the first available appointment anywhere in the practice.
Check current provider locations
Appointment workflow

An online appointment request is not yet a confirmed visit

Choose the clinical reason Decide whether you need medical dermatology, a full skin check, procedure follow-up, patch-test consultation, telehealth or cosmetic care.
Check authorization before scheduling if your plan requires it DMG’s updated financial policy places responsibility on the patient to obtain required prior authorization and provide proof before the appointment is scheduled.
Submit the appointment request The official form requests appointment availability rather than instantly reserving a slot.
Wait for scheduling confirmation A scheduling coordinator contacts the patient to confirm the actual appointment.
Confirm office and provider Verify Oceanside, Encinitas or Carmel Valley rather than assuming the doctor works at every location.
Save the cancellation deadline Ordinary office and higher-complexity procedure visits have different notice requirements.
Useful scheduling script
“I need an appointment for [changing mole/rash/acne/eczema/full skin check/other concern]. My insurance is [exact plan]. Does my plan require authorization, which providers treat this issue, which office has the earliest appropriate appointment, and should I bring previous biopsy or pathology records?”
Request availability
Virtual dermatology

Telehealth can save a drive—but it cannot replace every skin examination

DMG states that telehealth appointments are available for new and established patients when appropriate.

Potentially useful remotely Medication follow-up, selected acne or rash follow-up and concerns that can be adequately evaluated through history and video may sometimes fit telehealth.
Likely needs hands-on examination A full-body skin examination, procedure, biopsy, freezing treatment, patch placement or lesion that cannot be adequately assessed remotely will generally require an office visit.
Send good images when instructed Clear photographs can help, but they do not replace pathology when a lesion needs biopsy.
Ask before assuming Call scheduling and describe the reason for the visit so the office can determine whether telehealth is appropriate.
ModMed patient portal

Use the portal for routine dermatology tasks instead of repeated phone calls

DMG links patients to a Modernizing Medicine patient portal. The practice specifically directs patients there for prescription refill requests and secure communication with the Charge Nurse.

RX
Request refills

Send the Charge Nurse a message under the portal’s Contact Us section.

MSG
Secure messages

Use the portal for appropriate non-urgent practice communication.

CARE
Follow your care

Use the connected patient system for available dermatology information rather than unsecured communication.

Do not use a portal message for a medical emergency or severe reaction. Call the appropriate emergency service when symptoms require immediate care.
Open DMG patient portal
Medication refill timing

Allow about 48 hours for prescription refill coordination

Log into the patient portal Open the Contact Us area.
Message the Charge Nurse Include the medication name, strength and current pharmacy.
Allow approximately 48 hours The practice says the physician must review the medical chart.
Be prepared for a required visit Depending on the medication and how long it has been since you were examined, DMG may require an office visit before renewing treatment.
Practical refill rule: Do not wait until Friday afternoon or the final dose of an ongoing medicine to begin a routine refill request.
Skin-cancer prevention

A skin check is designed to find lesions before they become obvious problems

DMG emphasizes prevention and early detection of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The practice recommends regular skin examinations and self-checks between visits for people at risk.

New or changing lesion

Make note of a spot that changes in shape, size, color or behavior.

Non-healing growth

A persistent sore or growth that does not heal deserves evaluation.

High-risk history

Prior skin cancers, numerous or atypical moles and close family history can affect screening needs.

Before the visit: Remove heavy makeup from suspicious facial areas when practical, know where the concerning lesion is located and bring previous pathology reports if another practice biopsied the area.
Diagnosis before definitive treatment

What happens when a dermatologist thinks a spot may need biopsy?

DMG’s skin-cancer guidance recommends biopsy of suspicious lesions rather than automatically trying to remove the entire growth during the first evaluation. Pathology can identify the exact diagnosis and help determine how deeply a tumor is growing.

Clinical examination The practitioner inspects the lesion and considers its appearance, location, symptoms and patient history.
Biopsy when indicated A small sample or portion of the lesion is removed for microscopic examination.
Pathology identifies the diagnosis The diagnosis—not appearance alone—guides whether additional treatment is needed.
Treatment is matched to the result Options can include further excision, curettage/desiccation, Mohs surgery, selected topical therapy or other treatment depending on the tumor and location.
A biopsy is not automatically a cancer diagnosis. Dermatologists biopsy lesions precisely because visual examination alone cannot always distinguish a benign growth from a precancer or cancer.
Open biopsy and wound-care instructions
Tissue-sparing skin-cancer surgery

Mohs surgery is a process, not a quick “cut it off” appointment

DMG describes Mohs micrographic surgery as a specialized procedure in which a skin cancer is removed, microscopically analyzed and mapped while the patient remains at the office. Additional tissue can be removed only where tumor remains.

Why Mohs is used

It can preserve healthy tissue while precisely checking the surgical margin.

Common consideration

DMG notes that it is often used for selected cancers on the face, where tissue conservation can be especially important.

Not every cancer needs Mohs

Cancer type, location and clinical factors determine the appropriate treatment.

Plan for the appointment differently than a routine skin check

Confirm the exact office and arrival time
Follow procedure-specific medication instructions
Bring insurance authorization if required
Keep the day flexible for staged microscopic review
Know how you will travel home if the treated site affects comfort or vision
Read the practice’s wound-care instructions before surgery day
Cancellation policy: DMG’s updated financial form requires at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule Mohs surgery and lists a $200 no-show/late-cancellation fee for Mohs procedures and surgeries.
Contact Dermatitis Clinic

Patch testing takes a full week and three visits

DMG’s Contact Dermatitis Clinic, led by Dr. Alina Goldenberg, uses patch testing to identify delayed skin allergies to materials that may be present in soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, sunscreen, jewelry, clothing, topical medicines and other everyday products.

Comprehensive series

Custom adult and pediatric allergen panels.

Metal testing

Available for suspected metal hypersensitivity, including selected implant-related evaluations.

PhotoPatch

Specialized testing when light exposure may interact with a contact allergen.

Drug hypersensitivity

Selected delayed Type IV drug hypersensitivity testing is also listed.

Current patch-test preparation rules

Complete the medical-history questionnaire before consultation
Adults generally attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Children under 12 generally attend Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Avoid creams, lotions and ointments on the back/upper arms for 7 days before testing
Avoid excessive UV exposure to test areas for 2 weeks before testing
Wear clothing that makes the back easy to access
Keep the patch area dry during the testing period
Avoid heavy sweating and activities that loosen the tape
Steroid timing matters. Current DMG instructions say patients should not have received an intramuscular cortisone injection within one month or oral prednisone within two weeks before testing. Medication circumstances can differ, so confirm the plan with the Contact Dermatitis Clinic rather than stopping prescribed medication on your own.
Cancellation fee: The updated financial policy lists a $100 fee for a missed or late-cancelled patch-test appointment when the required notice is not given.
Conditions treated

Medical dermatology services go well beyond mole checks

Common problems treated by the practice
Condition What may bring someone in What the visit may involve
Acne Persistent breakouts, scarring or acne not controlled with store-bought treatment. Skin assessment and individualized topical, oral or procedure-based treatment when appropriate.
Rosacea Facial redness, flushing, bumps or visible blood vessels. Trigger review, medical treatment and selected laser options when clinically appropriate.
Eczema Itchy, inflamed or repeatedly flaring skin. Trigger management, skin-barrier care and topical or systemic treatment depending on severity.
Psoriasis Persistent plaques, scaling or disease requiring more advanced treatment. Assessment of severity and discussion of topical, light or systemic treatment options.
Contact dermatitis Rash that repeatedly returns after exposure to products or materials. Exposure history and, when needed, specialized patch testing.
Skin cancer / precancer Changing lesion, actinic keratosis, previous skin cancer or screening need. Examination, possible biopsy and treatment matched to pathology.
Clinical trials: DMG currently partners with Profound Research and lists research opportunities for selected dermatologic conditions. Trial participation has separate eligibility requirements and is different from routine clinical treatment.
Elective skin and appearance treatments

Cosmetic dermatology uses a different payment and cancellation system

DMG lists cosmetic services such as Botox, Daxxify, dermal fillers, chemical peels, VBeam laser, IPL, microneedling, sclerotherapy and removal of selected benign growths.

Injectables

Botox, Daxxify and filler products are listed among available treatments.

Laser / light

VBeam, IPL and other technology-based cosmetic options are offered for selected concerns.

Surface treatments

Chemical peels, microneedling and elective benign-growth removal are among the practice’s cosmetic services.

Cosmetic does not automatically mean insurance. The current financial policy states that cosmetic procedures are typically elective and not medically necessary, so most are not covered. If a procedure is medically necessary, insurance billing may be possible.

Current deposit amounts

Deposit requirements in DMG’s updated financial policy
Appointment / procedure Deposit Important rule
Cosmetic consultation $100 Deposit is credited to the visit when the appointment is kept.
Botox, filler or injectable $200 Late cancellation/no-show can cause the deposit to be applied to the cancellation fee.
Fixed-price cosmetic procedure 50% of listed price Examples in the policy include peels, microneedling, sclerotherapy, ear piercing, VBeam, IPL, OptiLight and ResurFX.
Avoid insurance surprises

DMG bills many plans—but does not publish a reliable full insurer list

The current patient-information page says the practice bills many health insurance plans and is contracted with some local managed-care and HMO products. An older office page describes the practice as accepting most traditional plans.

The exact plan matters more than the company name. DMG recommends confirming benefits with the health insurer before the visit because coverage can differ by procedure and network.
Call the insurer first Ask whether the exact DMG clinician and location are in network under your specific product.
Ask whether dermatology requires referral or prior authorization Some managed-care and HMO plans require it.
Obtain the authorization before scheduling when required DMG’s current financial agreement places that responsibility on the patient.
Bring the authorization and insurance card The patient-information page says the practice requires the card, pre-authorization and copay at the visit when applicable.
Ask about procedure coverage separately Coverage for a consultation does not guarantee coverage for biopsy, surgery, patch testing, medication or cosmetic treatment.
Insurance call script
“I am planning a dermatology visit with Dermatologist Medical Group of North County at [Oceanside/Encinitas/Carmel Valley]. Is the provider in network for my exact plan? Do I need a PCP referral or prior authorization for the consultation, biopsy, patch test or skin-cancer procedure?”
Updated financial policy

Cancellation, late-arrival and form fees are different by appointment type

Current fees listed in the updated financial-responsibility form
Situation Required notice / rule Published fee
Regular office visit At least 24 hours’ notice for cancellation/rescheduling. $50 no-show/late-cancellation fee.
Patch test At least 48 hours’ notice. $100.
Cosmetic consultation At least 48 hours’ notice. $100.
Mohs / surgery At least 48 hours’ notice. $200.
Botox / filler / injectable At least 48 hours’ notice. $200.
Fixed-price cosmetic procedure At least 48 hours’ notice. 50% of listed procedure price.
Disability form Form-completion charge not covered by insurance. $35.
More than 10 minutes late: The updated policy says the office will try to accommodate you, but it cannot guarantee the visit. You may need to reschedule, and a no-show or late-cancellation fee may apply.
Why you may see an older number elsewhere: An older registration packet still shows a $15 disability-form charge and older lateness language. The newer updated financial-responsibility policy lists $35 and uses the 10-minute late-arrival standard, so this article uses the newer policy.
Statement routing

The billing phone number depends on the date of service

Service dated December 31, 2019 or earlier

Call the practice:

760-758-5340

Service dated January 1, 2020 or later

Current billing department:

800-330-6772

What is expected at the visit?

Accurate insurance information before the appointment
Copay at time of service
Deductible when applicable
Estimated patient financial responsibility before seeing the practitioner
Cash-pay balance at service or before procedure
Cosmetic deposit when booking applicable elective treatment
Payment methods: The office page lists cash, checks and credit cards and says flexible payment arrangements may be available through the Financial Coordinator. It also identifies CareCredit as a financing option for eligible non-covered treatment.
Billing question script
“My statement is for service date [date]. My insurer says my responsibility is [amount], while the DMG statement shows [amount]. Can you explain the insurance payment, adjustment, deductible or coinsurance and tell me which billing department handles this service date?”
Pay or review billing instructions Current billing: 800-330-6772
Medical records & privacy

Request the part of your dermatology record the next doctor actually needs

DMG’s Patient Forms page provides an Authorization to Release Medical Records form. Use it when records need to move to another dermatologist, surgeon, primary-care clinician or other recipient.

Download the release authorization Use the current Patient Forms page rather than an old saved PDF.
Identify the patient and receiving party Complete the identifying and destination information requested by the authorization.
Specify what is needed For continuity of dermatology care, pathology reports, biopsy dates, skin-cancer treatment notes, medication history and relevant photographs or procedure reports may be more useful than every chart page.
Call before sending sensitive information by an unverified route DMG publishes 760-758-5340 as its main contact number. Confirm where the signed authorization should be returned.
Family access to results: DMG’s registration packet includes a separate authorization allowing patients to name family members who may receive appointment information, test results and procedure results. Without patient authorization, privacy rules can limit what staff can disclose to relatives.
Open medical-record forms
North County practical shortcuts

Small local details that can save a second dermatology trip

78
Oceanside route

The office is inside Ocean Terrace. From Highway 78, the practice’s directions use College Boulevard or El Camino Real depending on direction of travel.

I-5
Encinitas route

The office is in UCSD Medical Plaza off Garden View Road; the practice directs I-5 drivers through Leucadia Boulevard and El Camino Real.

CV
Carmel Valley route

The Ryan Plaza office is close to the I-5/Carmel Valley Road/El Camino Real corridor.

PIC
Photograph a changing lesion

A dated photo can help demonstrate change, but it does not replace an examination or biopsy when one is needed.

PATH
Bring old pathology

If another dermatologist biopsied the same area, bring the pathology diagnosis and procedure report instead of relying on memory.

AUTH
HMO authorization first

The updated financial policy states that patients must obtain required prior authorization before scheduling.

48H
Give procedures more notice

Mohs, surgery, patch testing and cosmetic appointments require longer cancellation notice than a routine visit.

RX
Start refills early

The practice requests about 48 hours to coordinate prescription refills.

$
Know medical vs. cosmetic

Ask whether the service is medically necessary and potentially insurance-billable before assuming your plan will pay.

10 practical answers

Dermatologist Medical Group of North County FAQs

Where does Dermatologist Medical Group of North County have offices?

The practice has offices at 3613 Vista Way in Oceanside, 1200 Garden View Road Suite 108 in Encinitas, and 11943 El Camino Real Suite 220 in Carmel Valley, San Diego.

What are the office hours?

The current homepage and contact pages list Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekends closed. An older Oceanside-specific page still lists 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so confirm an early Oceanside appointment directly.

Does DMG offer telehealth?

Yes. The practice says telehealth is available for new and established patients when the condition is appropriate for remote care.

What skin problems does DMG treat?

The practice provides medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology for acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, moles, skin cancer, contact dermatitis and many other skin concerns.

Does the practice perform Mohs surgery?

Yes. Mohs micrographic surgery is one of the skin-cancer treatment options listed by DMG and may be selected for particular cancers and anatomical locations.

How do I request a prescription refill?

Use the Patient Portal and message the Charge Nurse under Contact Us. Allow about 48 hours for chart review and coordination. A follow-up appointment may be required.

How much notice do I need to cancel?

The updated financial form lists at least 24 hours for an ordinary office visit and 48 hours for Mohs surgery, other surgeries, patch testing and cosmetic appointments.

What are the no-show fees?

The current policy lists $50 for ordinary office visits, $100 for cosmetic consultations and patch tests, $200 for Mohs/surgery/Botox/fillers/injectables, and 50% of the listed price for certain fixed-price cosmetic procedures.

Does Dermatologist Medical Group of North County accept insurance?

DMG says it bills many plans and accepts most traditional insurance, but the exact network should be verified before care. Some managed-care/HMO products require prior authorization.

How do I request my medical records?

Download the Authorization to Release Medical Records from the Patient Forms page. Call 760-758-5340 if you need confirmation of the correct submission route or help deciding what records to request.

Final live actions

Use the official DMG system when you are ready to complete the task

The important locations, policies, fees, treatment workflows and preparation steps are already explained above. These official tools are mainly for the live action itself.

Request appointment Patient portal Find current provider Patient & records forms Surgery / biopsy instructions Pay a bill Directions
Independent patient-information notice:

USMedicalGroup.org is not Dermatologist Medical Group of North County, UC San Diego Health, an insurer or any medical professional mentioned in this guide. It does not diagnose skin disease, perform procedures, schedule appointments, process claims or maintain medical records.

Provider schedules, office hours, insurance participation, procedure availability, deposits and financial policies can change. Confirm time-sensitive information with the practice before treatment.

This article provides general patient-navigation information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Seek urgent medical attention for a severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled bleeding or another medical emergency.

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