How health systems can scale dermatology access without hiring more dermatologists

Dermatologist shortages are driving longer wait times and reduced access to care. Asynchronous teledermatology helps health systems expand capacity without hiring more providers.

Written by:
Jennifer Highland
Medical Content Writer

Table of Content:
Why hiring more dermatologists doesn’t work | How asynchronous teledermatology expands capacity | Teledermatology partnership models | How asynchronous teledermatology fits into existing workflows | How teledermatology reduces healthcare costs | How to implement teledermatology | FAQ

Dermatology is one of the most difficult specialties for health systems to staff. Residency positions are limited, and many newly trained dermatologists choose private practice, where cosmetic dermatology often offers higher earning potential and greater autonomy than employment within a health system.

For health system leaders, this creates a growing access challenge. Patient demand for dermatology care continues to rise, but the supply of available dermatologists is not keeping pace. The result is longer wait times, reduced access to specialist care, and increasing pressure on existing dermatology resources.

The average wait time to see a dermatologist in the United States is more than 30 days. In underserved markets and rural service areas, that number stretches past three months. Patients with urgent but non-emergency concerns, such as a worsening rash, a chronic skin condition flaring, wait in a queue that health systems cannot shorten by posting a job opening.

Hiring dermatologists is not the only answer. Dermatologists are difficult to recruit, expensive to employ, and they are less inclined to join hospital networks since private practices offer higher earnings and more autonomy. Health systems that rely solely on hiring to solve their dermatology access problem are planning around a constraint they cannot remove.

The organizations solving this issue are doing it differently.

Expand dermatology access without expanding headcount

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Why hiring more dermatologists alone cannot solve health system access challenges

There are only about 11,500 practicing dermatologists in the United States, and demand for dermatology care continues to grow as the population ages. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 78,000 specialist physicians by 2034, with dermatology among the hardest-hit specialties.

For health systems facing long wait times and limited dermatologist availability, hiring more physicians is often difficult, expensive, slow and in many cases unsuccessful. Even successful recruitment efforts may not keep pace with growing patient demand.

A more effective solution is to increase the number of patients the existing dermatology workforce can serve. When dermatologists can review more cases without sacrificing quality, health systems can expand access without adding headcount.

Asynchronous teledermatology makes this possible by allowing dermatologists to evaluate cases more efficiently and see more patients in less time.

How asynchronous teledermatology expands dermatology capacity

Synchronous dermatology, whether in-person or via live video, requires that the patient and the provider be available at the same time. Every appointment is a fixed unit of time, blocked on both sides. The dermatologist reviews one patient at a time. Scheduling creates artificial bottlenecks even when clinical demand far exceeds them.

Asynchronous teledermatology, also called store-and-forward, works differently. Patients submit high-quality images of their skin concern along with a structured clinical questionnaire. The dermatologist reviews the case when it fits into their workflow, between appointments, during downtime, or as a dedicated review session, and delivers a diagnosis and treatment plan without a scheduled interaction.

The operational result is significant. A dermatologist reviewing asynchronous cases can evaluate multiple consultations in the time a single synchronous visit would require.

Documented outcomes show productivity increases of up to 20% when asynchronous teledermatology is integrated into a dermatology workflow. A University of Pennsylvania study on store-and-forward teledermatology used for triage found that the model cut in-person visits by 27% and reduced emergency department visits by 3% in an underserved urban community.

For a health system, that translates directly to more patients seen, shorter wait times, and reduced pressure on in-person dermatology capacity, without expanding the clinical workforce.

Teledermatology partnership models for health systems

Health systems have different starting points. Some operate their own dermatology practices and employ dermatologists directly. Others manage physician networks where dermatologists maintain independent practices. The right teledermatology model depends on which situation applies.

Model 1: White-label teledermatology platform using your existing dermatologists

For health systems with an existing dermatology workforce, the priority is throughput, not staffing. A white-label teledermatology platform deployed under your brand, that integrates with your existing EHR and gives your dermatologists an asynchronous consultation workflow they can run through their private practice. Patients access virtual care through your existing digital channels. The dermatologists on your staff handle the caseload.

This model is appropriate for health systems that already have dermatology coverage and want to extend it, handling overflow, after-hours demand, follow-up consultations, or geographically dispersed patient populations without requiring those patients to travel to a clinic.

Model 2: White-label platform with an external dermatologist network

For health systems that lack sufficient dermatology coverage, or want to expand into new geographies without recruiting, a white-label platform backed by an existing dermatologist network solves both the technology and the staffing problem simultaneously.

Miiskin’s dermatologist network includes board-certified physicians, a number of whom hold licenses in multiple states. Some hold licenses in all 50 states. For a health system operating across multiple locations or service areas, this removes one of the most significant barriers to teledermatology deployment: the requirement that the reviewing dermatologist be licensed in the state where the patient is located.

The health system deploys under its own brand. Miiskin provides the platform infrastructure and, where needed, the licensed clinical capacity to service it.

Expand dermatology access without expanding headcount

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How asynchronous teledermatology fits into existing health system workflows

A common concern among health system leaders evaluating teledermatology is integration complexity. In practice, deploying an asynchronous teledermatology solution is often much simpler than adding a new clinical service line because there are no appointment schedules, clinic resources, or video consultations to coordinate.

A teledermatology platform designed for health systems connects to existing infrastructure through a few key touchpoints:

EHR Integration

Patient records, consultation notes, treatment plans, and clinical images can be exported as PDF or CSV files for inclusion in existing health records. Direct EHR integrations are also available for qualifying deployments.

ePrescribing and Pharmacy Fulfillment

Dermatologists can issue prescriptions directly through integrated ePrescribing tools. Patients can choose their preferred local pharmacy or buy their medication through Foothills Professional Pharmacy, a leading U.S. compounding pharmacy in the United States which ships medications nationwide.

Website and Patient Portal Integration

A lightweight web widget can be embedded directly into a health system’s website or patient portal, allowing patients to start a dermatology consultation without downloading a separate app.

HIPAA-Compliant Infrastructure

All patient information, clinical images, consultation records, and communications are transmitted and stored in a HIPAA-compliant environment designed for healthcare organizations.

Because asynchronous teledermatology does not require appointment scheduling or live video workflows, implementation is typically measured in weeks rather than months, enabling health systems to expand dermatology access quickly and with minimal operational disruption.

The deployment timeline for a health system integration is measured in weeks, not quarters.

How teledermatology supports value-based care and reduces healthcare costs

For health systems operating under value-based care contracts, particularly those managing Medical Loss Ratio targets, teledermatology has a second-order financial effect beyond access.

Unresolved dermatology concerns generate downstream utilization. Patients who cannot access a dermatologist within a reasonable timeframe are more likely to present in primary care with worsening conditions, seek emergency department care for issues that could have been managed earlier, or leave conditions unaddressed until they require more intensive intervention. Each of these outcomes is more expensive than a timely dermatology consultation.

A teledermatology model that reduces wait times from weeks to 24 to 48 hours is not only an access improvement. For organizations managing population health and cost per member, it is a cost avoidance mechanism.

The University of Pennsylvania triage study noted earlier found a 3% reduction in emergency department visits from a store-and-forward teledermatology program in an underserved community. For a health system managing tens of thousands of covered lives, a 3% reduction in dermatology-related ED utilization represents material cost savings at scale.

How health systems can implement teledermatology

Scaling dermatology access does not require a multi-year recruitment effort or a capital-intensive clinic buildout. It requires a platform that fits the way your organization operates, clinical coverage that matches your geography, and an integration that respects the systems already in place.

Miiskin works with health systems and HMOs to deploy white-label teledermatology solutions that extend dermatology access, reduce wait times, and operate under your brand. Whether your organization brings its own dermatologists or needs clinical coverage across multiple states, the platform is built to support both models.

To learn more or schedule a conversation with our health systems team, contact us here.

Frequently asked questions about teledermatology for health systems

Does Miiskin support both staffing models?

Yes, Miiskin accommodates health systems that bring their own dermatologists and those that need clinical coverage provided. The two models are not mutually exclusive; some organizations use their own providers for primary coverage and the platform’s network for overflow or extended-hours demand.

How does multi-state licensing work?

Miiskin’s dermatologist network hold multi-state licenses, including some with licenses in all 50 states, means health systems do not need to verify state-by-state coverage before deploying.

What happens with complex cases?

Miiskin is designed to help health systems manage a large share of dermatology demand through asynchronous care. Board-certified dermatologists can diagnose and treat many common skin conditions based on clinical history and high-quality patient-submitted images, often delivering a treatment plan within 24 to 48 hours.

When a case requires a biopsy, surgical procedure, in-person examination, or additional diagnostic testing, the dermatologist refers the patient to appropriate in-person care. This allows health systems to use virtual dermatology for high-volume, routine cases while preserving clinic capacity for patients who need hands-on specialist intervention.

What is the typical wait time for patients?

On the Miiskin platform, AI-assisted intake and workflow automation have reduced wait times from over 30 days to 24 to 48 hours for most consultations.

What does a Miiskin health system partnership look like?

Miiskin provides a white-label teledermatology platform that allows health systems to offer dermatologist-led care under their own brand. Depending on your needs, you can use your existing dermatologists, leverage Miiskin’s network of board-certified dermatologists, or combine both models. We work with health systems, HMOs, and provider organizations to expand dermatology access, reduce wait times, and improve patient satisfaction without the delays and costs of traditional recruitment.

Can health systems offer teledermatology without employing dermatologists?

Yes. Miiskin enables health systems to launch a branded dermatology service without hiring or managing their own dermatologists. Our network includes independent, board-certified dermatologists licensed across multiple states, including providers licensed nationwide. This allows organizations to quickly expand access to dermatology care while maintaining a consistent patient experience under their own brand.

How does Miiskin help reduce healthcare costs?

Faster access to dermatology care helps patients receive diagnosis and treatment before conditions worsen or generate additional healthcare utilization. By delivering dermatologist-reviewed treatment plans within 24 to 48 hours, Miiskin can help reduce unnecessary primary care visits, urgent care visits, and emergency department utilization related to dermatological conditions. For organizations operating under value-based care arrangements, this can contribute to lower costs and improved care coordination.

How long does it take to launch Miiskin?

Most health system deployments can be completed within weeks. Because Miiskin uses an asynchronous care model, there is no need to implement complex appointment scheduling or live video workflows. Patients can access care through a branded web experience embedded directly into your website or patient portal, allowing organizations to launch quickly and with minimal operational disruption.

Which skin, nail or hair conditions can be treated through Miiskin?

Miiskin supports diagnosis and treatment for many common skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, rashes, hair loss, pigmentation concerns, nail disorders, and skin lesion evaluations. Patients submit photos and clinical information through a guided intake process, allowing dermatologists to review cases asynchronously and provide a treatment plan. Cases requiring procedures, biopsies, or in-person examination can be referred for follow-up care.

Can Miiskin support health systems operating across multiple states?

Yes. Miiskin’s dermatologist network includes physicians licensed in multiple states, including some providers licensed in all 50 U.S. states. This allows health systems to expand dermatology services across multiple markets without building separate provider networks or managing state-by-state recruitment efforts.

How quickly can patients receive a dermatology consultation through Miiskin?

Most patients receive a dermatologist-reviewed diagnosis and treatment plan within 24 to 48 hours. This significantly reduces wait times compared to traditional dermatology referrals, which can take weeks or months in many markets.

Can Miiskin integrate with existing health system workflows?

Yes. Miiskin is designed to fit into existing health system operations. Consultation records, clinical notes, and images can be exported for inclusion in patient records, and the platform can be embedded directly into existing websites and patient portals. Patients can also choose their preferred pharmacy or access fulfillment through Miiskin’s pharmacy partners when appropriate.