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Dr. Cara Garretson, MD

Chicago, IL

14 Years of Experience

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Garretson, Dermatologist in Chicago, IL?

    Board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Cara Beth Garretson MD is a trusted Dermatologist in Chicago, IL, with a clinical practice anchored in treating moles, with particular depth in skin biopsy and related techniques. She has been serving the Chicago community since 2012, with practices located at 1460 N Halsted St Ste 504 and 680 N Lake Shore Dr Ste 810. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of various skin conditions, Dr. Garretson's expertise centers on managing moles, acne, and sun damage skin conditions, as well as benign skin growths. Her procedural skills include skin biopsies, skin lesion removals, and injections, all of which are essential in addressing these common dermatological concerns. By combining these diagnostic and treatment approaches, she provides comprehensive care to her patients, ensuring they receive thorough and effective treatment. Dr. Garretson's training and certifications demonstrate her commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. As a board-certified dermatologist, she has achieved a high level of expertise in her field. Her affiliations with top-ranked hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, further underscore her capabilities. As a Dermatologist who accepts new patients, Dr. Garretson is accessible to those seeking care in Chicago. She participates in multiple insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Group, and Humana, making her services more accessible to a broader range of patients. By serving the Chicago community through multiple practice locations, Dr. Garretson remains a vital resource for local residents seeking dermatological care.

    Is Dr. Garretson board certified as a Dermatologist?

    Yes, Dr. Cara Garretson, MD is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology

    What languages does Dr. Garretson speak?

    Dr. Garretson and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    What conditions does a Dermatologist like Dr. Garretson typically treat?

    As a Dermatologist, Dr. Garretson diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Garretson. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Mole on Right Arm or Shoulder
    • Birthmarks
    • Moles
    • Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma
    • Right upper limb nevus
    • Birthmark on right arm
    • Right shoulder spot
    • Right arm mole

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • D2261: Melanocytic nevi of right upper limb, including shoulder

    Also known as:

    • Acne Vulgaris
    • Acne
    • Common acne
    • Pimples
    • Breakouts

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • L700: Acne vulgaris

    Also known as:

    • Skin Tumor of Uncertain Behavior
    • Skin Condition
    • Skin Neoplasm
    • Skin Growth
    • Uncertain Skin Lesion

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • D485: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin

    Also known as:

    • Actinic Keratosis
    • Skin Condition
    • Sun Exposure
    • Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)
    • Solar keratosis
    • Precancerous skin lesion
    • Rough sun spots

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • L570: Actinic keratosis

    Also known as:

    • Inflamed Seborrheic Keratosis
    • Benign Tumor
    • Skin Condition
    • Irritated seborrheic keratosis
    • Red skin growth
    • Inflamed age spot

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • L820: Inflamed seborrheic keratosis

    What procedures does a Dermatologist like Dr. Garretson typically perform?

    As a Dermatologist, Dr. Garretson performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Garretson. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Skin Biopsy
    • Skin Biopsy (Additional Site)
    • Shave Biopsy
    • Tangential Biopsy
    • Skin Lesion Biopsy
    • Shave biopsy
    • Tangential skin biopsy
    • Scoop biopsy

    CPT Codes:

    • 11102: Tangential biopsy of skin (eg, shave, scoop, saucerize, curette); single lesion
    • 11103: Tangential biopsy of skin (eg, shave, scoop, saucerize, curette); each separate/additional lesion (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Removal of Benign Skin Lesions
    • Removal of Precancerous Skin Lesions
    • Shaving Skin Lesion
    • Skin Conditions
    • Benign Skin Growth Destruction
    • Skin Lesion Excision
    • Cryosurgery for Skin Lesions
    • Electrosurgery for Skin Lesions
    • Actinic Keratosis Treatment
    • Premalignant Lesion Destruction
    • Skin Cancer Prevention Treatment
    • Skin Lesion Shave Excision
    • Mole Shaving
    • Skin Growth Removal (Shave)
    • Dermal Lesion Shave

    CPT Codes:

    • 17110: Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions
    • 17000: Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic keratoses); first lesion
    • 11301: Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesion, single lesion, trunk, arms or legs; lesion diameter 0.6 to 1.0 cm

    Also known as:

    • Injection for Skin Lesions (Up to 7)
    • Intralesional Injection
    • Lesion Injection Therapy
    • Steroid Injection for Skin Bumps

    CPT Codes:

    • 11900: Injection, intralesional; up to and including 7 lesions

    Also known as:

    • Photodynamic Therapy for Skin Lesions
    • PDT for Skin Cancer
    • Light Therapy for Precancerous Skin
    • Photosensitive Drug Treatment for Skin

    CPT Codes:

    • 96567: Photodynamic therapy by external application of light to destroy premalignant lesions of the skin and adjacent mucosa with application and illumination/activation of photosensitive drug(s), per day

    Does Dr. Garretson accept my insurance?

    Dr. Garretson accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (312) 926-3627 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Garretson accept in Chicago, IL?

    Dr. Garretson in Chicago, IL accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

    • Cigna Group

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Health Care Service Corporation

    • Humana

    • Medicare

    • State of Illinois

    • UMR Administered Payer

    • UnitedHealth Group

    • Unknown

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Garretson's office located?

    Dr. Cara Garretson's Primary Practice

    1460 N Halsted St Ste 504

    Chicago, IL 60642

    (312) 926-3627

    Get Directions

    Dr. Cara Garretson's Practice 2

    680 N Lake Shore Dr Ste 810

    Chicago, IL 60611

    Get Directions

    What is Dr. Garretson's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Garretson's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1033249677.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Garretson?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Garretson

    What is Dr. Cara Garretson's specialty?

    Dr. Garretson is a Dermatologist near Chicago, IL.

    What does a Dermatologist do?

    Dermatologists are medical professionals trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of skin conditions in both children and adults, including skin cancers, melanomas, and other tumors. They also manage disorders of the mouth, external genitalia, hair, and nails, and are skilled in treating conditions like dermatitis, allergic reactions, and skin manifestations of systemic diseases. Dermatologists receive specialized training in dermatopathology and dermatologic surgical techniques, and address cosmetic issues such as hair loss and scarring. Additionally, they use laboratory methods to diagnose immune-related skin disorders, often collaborating with immunohematologists for expert consultation and targeted therapies.

    Is this Dr. Cara Garretson affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Garretson is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital which are a Castle Connolly Top Hospitals. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    When to see a Dermatologist?: Guides for symptoms, conditions, and treatments

    Understand your symptoms and know when it’s time to see a Dermatologist. Explore insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Cara Garretson accepting new patients in Chicago, IL?

    Yes, Dr. Cara Garretson is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Cara Garretson offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Garretson's office at (312) 926-3627 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Cara Garretson?

    Please contact Dr. Garretson's office at (312) 926-3627 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    Which board certifications does Dr. Cara Garretson have?

    Dr. Cara Garretson is certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

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