Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Important Notification Many of our patients have been visiting our office for years. Long years. We see some generations of families, from grandparents, parents to children and grandchildren. This is just speaking about how much we value long-term relationships and how much we want to deliver the best service we can. Every-changing healthcare not always cooperates with our wishes and your needs. Historically, we never removed any insurance participation from our active contracts. Contrary, we kept adding some programs even when they were not very beneficial from the financial point of view. We also tried very hard to educate our patients about the turbulent changes in healthcare plans that make our general healthcare system more administratively cumbersome and expensive. We hate it as much as you hate it. Several days ago, we received a letter from the Medical Group of newly created Ascension Health Partners who took over Amita Health. This letter informs us that Ascension is terminating our contract effective May 31, 2026. The reason for termination has no medical, clinical or disciplinary background. It is based on the fact that we do not use their Electronic Medical Records. As a private practice, we decide our own operations, and we make them fit American Academy of Dermatology guidelines as well as Medicare Part B requirements. They do not mandate any particular EMRs. We are independent and we want to stay independent, recognizing that this is the optimal way to deliver quality in healthcare. We may not and will not be subject of coercion or any other attempt of forceful mandate by medical groups or insurances. This decision was not made by doctors. It was made by the new board of administrators who made it based on their own needs and without realizing the impact on patients and the quality of dermatology care. To our knowledge, no dermatology clinic will use the EMR proposed by the board of Ascension. What does it mean to some of our patients? Well, the impact of that decision is absolutely damaging. We will discontinue seeing patients for BCBS HMO. We will not be able to serve the population with Medicare Advantage substitute for BCBS and Humana. This means that, if you decide to use the commercial version of Medicare rather than the standard plan of government run Medicare part B, we will not accept your insurance anymore. Additional contracts termination includes Cigna, Multiplan, PHCS, and HFN. Many of these smaller plans pay their own claims but use the network of doctors created by the medical groups locally. They will no longer be accepted by our clinic. We are very sorry about this decision, and we will work to possibly re-instate companies. But the complexity of the some contracts directly with insurance difference between the benefits from insurances and the actual network of doctors eligible to see patients may not allow us to do much. I can definitely state that HMO BCBS plans will not offer any options and will be terminated indefinitely. You will be able to see us, but you will be considered self-paying patient. The fees will be established based on Medicare fee schedule and will not be excessive but will be out of pocket. You may also see if your plan has any out-of-network benefits to apply. We have tried to contact BCBS to discuss this change but, unfortunately, they do not have live person to talk to us. All communications are conducted by Al and are fully automated. Thus, we just wasted our time. We are truly very sorry about this change. It will be communicated through all of our channels to make sure all patients understand the impact and make their individual decisions. In the meantime, you can always contact us at your convenience. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Important Notification Many of our patients have been visiting our office for years . Long years . We see some generations of families , from grandparents , parents to children and grandchildren . This is just speaking about how much we value long - term relationships and how much we want to deliver the best service we can . Every - changing healthcare not always cooperates with our wishes and your needs . Historically , we never removed any insurance participation from our active contracts . Contrary , we kept adding some programs even when they were not very beneficial from the financial point of view . We also tried very hard to educate our patients about the turbulent changes in healthcare plans that make our general healthcare system more administratively cumbersome and expensive . We hate it as much as you hate it . Several days ago , we received a letter from the Medical Group of newly created Ascension Health Partners who took over Amita Health . This letter informs us that Ascension is terminating our contract effective May 31 , 2026. The reason for termination has no medical , clinical or disciplinary background . It is based on the fact that we do not use their Electronic Medical Records . As a private practice , we decide our own operations , and we make them fit American Academy of Dermatology guidelines as well as Medicare Part B requirements . They do not mandate any particular EMRs . We are independent and we want to stay independent , recognizing that this is the optimal way to deliver quality in healthcare . We may not and will not be subject of coercion or any other attempt of forceful mandate by medical groups or insurances . This decision was not made by doctors . It was made by the new board of administrators who made it based on their own needs and without realizing the impact on patients and the quality of dermatology care . To our knowledge , no dermatology clinic will use the EMR proposed by the board of Ascension . What does it mean to some of our patients ? Well , the impact of that decision is absolutely damaging . We will discontinue seeing patients for BCBS HMO . We will not be able to serve the population with Medicare Advantage substitute for BCBS and Humana . This means that , if you decide to use the commercial version of Medicare rather than the standard plan of government run Medicare part B , we will not accept your insurance anymore . Additional contracts termination includes Cigna , Multiplan , PHCS , and HFN . Many of these smaller plans pay their own claims but use the network of doctors created by the medical groups locally . They will no longer be accepted by our clinic . We are very sorry about this decision , and we will work to possibly re - instate companies . But the complexity of the some contracts directly with insurance difference between the benefits from insurances and the actual network of doctors eligible to see patients may not allow us to do much . I can definitely state that HMO BCBS plans will not offer any options and will be terminated indefinitely . You will be able to see us , but you will be considered self - paying patient . The fees will be established based on Medicare fee schedule and will not be excessive but will be out of pocket . You may also see if your plan has any out - of - network benefits to apply . We have tried to contact BCBS to discuss this change but , unfortunately , they do not have live person to talk to us . All communications are conducted by Al and are fully automated . Thus , we just wasted our time . We are truly very sorry about this change . It will be communicated through all of our channels to make sure all patients understand the impact and make their individual decisions . In the meantime , you can always contact us at your convenience . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net