Can I refer patients from any HMO?

Yes. We accept referrals from all major Israeli HMOs, including Maccabi, Clalit, Leumit, and Meuhedet, as well as private patients. Insurance authorization procedures differ by HMO, and our team can assist with the process if needed.

How quickly can my patient be seen?

Urgent cases, such as rapidly growing or symptomatic tumors, can typically be accommodated within a few days. Routine referrals are usually scheduled within one to two weeks, depending on surgical availability.

Will I receive a surgical report?

Yes. A detailed post-operative report is sent to the referring physician within 48 hours of the procedure. The report includes histopathologic findings, margin status, number of Mohs stages, reconstruction method, and follow-up recommendations.

Does Dr. Kaplan handle reconstruction as well?

Yes. Dr. Kaplan performs primary reconstruction at the time of surgery in the majority of cases, including linear closures, local flaps, and skin grafts. For cases requiring complex or multi-stage reconstruction, he coordinates directly with plastic surgery colleagues to ensure seamless care.

For Referring Physicians

Partner with Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan for expert dermatologic surgery and Mohs referrals

Dr. Kaplan examining tissue sample under microscope

Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan, ACMS and ASDS member, accepts referrals for Mohs micrographic surgery, complex skin cancer excisions, and dermatologic surgery. We provide timely consultations and detailed outcome reports for all referred patients.

Dr. Kaplan's Credentials

Dr. Yehonatan Kaplan completed a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, one of the ACMS-approved training programs in the United States. He has performed over 1,000 Mohs procedures and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). Dr. Kaplan maintains a dual practice at his private clinic in Israel and at Assuta and Herzliya Medical Center (HMC), offering patients flexible scheduling and access to hospital-grade facilities when needed.

When to Refer for Mohs Surgery

Skin cancer in sensitive areas (face, ears, nose, eyelids, lips, hands, genitalia)
Recurrent skin cancer after previous treatment
Aggressive histologic subtypes (morpheaform, infiltrative, micronodular BCC; poorly differentiated SCC)
Large tumors (>2 cm) or tumors with poorly defined clinical borders
Skin cancer in immunocompromised patients
Perineural or perivascular involvement

Mohs Surgery Indications

Mohs micrographic surgery is the gold standard treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), offering the highest cure rate while preserving the maximum amount of healthy tissue. The following clinical guidelines can help determine which patients are appropriate candidates for referral.

Primary BCC and SCC

Tumors located in the H-zone of the face (central face, eyelids, eyebrows, periorbital, nose, lips, chin, ear, periauricular, temple)
Tumors larger than 1 cm on the face or larger than 2 cm on the trunk and extremities
Aggressive histologic subtypes: morpheaform, infiltrative, micronodular, or sclerosing BCC; poorly differentiated or desmoplastic SCC
Tumors with poorly defined clinical margins
Tumors arising in areas where maximum tissue preservation is critical (digits, genitalia, nail unit)

Recurrent Tumors

Any BCC or SCC that has recurred after previous surgical excision, curettage, cryotherapy, or radiation therapy
Tumors recurring at the margins of a previous excision
Incompletely excised tumors where re-excision is required

Special Considerations

Immunosuppressed patients (organ transplant recipients, patients on chronic immunosuppressive therapy) with NMSC
Tumors arising within a field of prior radiation therapy
Patients with genetic syndromes predisposing to multiple skin cancers (e.g., basal cell nevus syndrome, xeroderma pigmentosum)
Tumors demonstrating perineural invasion on biopsy

What Your Patient Can Expect

1Prompt scheduling: After receiving a referral, our clinic contacts the patient within 48 hours to arrange a consultation and, when appropriate, surgery.
2Same-day results: Mohs surgery includes real-time microscopic evaluation of tissue margins. Patients receive confirmation of complete tumor clearance on the day of surgery, eliminating the anxiety of waiting for external pathology results.
3Tissue-sparing approach: By examining 100% of the surgical margin, Mohs surgery removes only the cancerous tissue, resulting in the smallest possible wound and optimal cosmetic outcomes.
4On-site reconstruction: Dr. Kaplan performs primary reconstruction immediately following tumor clearance in most cases, including local flaps and grafts. Complex reconstructive cases may be coordinated with plastic surgery colleagues.
5Comprehensive follow-up: A detailed surgical report, including pathology findings, margin status, and reconstruction details, is sent to the referring physician within 48 hours. Patients receive thorough post-operative instructions and scheduled follow-up visits.

Referral Process

1Send a referral via Maccabi system or contact our clinic directly
2Include pathology report and clinical photos if available
3Patient will be contacted within 48 hours to schedule
4Detailed surgical report sent to referring physician post-procedure

Frequently Asked Questions from Referring Physicians

Physician Liaison

For urgent referrals or clinical questions, reach Dr. Kaplan directly via WhatsApp or phone during business hours.

054-900-2800 WhatsApp