Dr. Michael H Coverman, MD - Austin Dermatology Clinic

My experience with Dr. Coverman was that he was an unpleasant man whose primary interest was always getting my money and getting me out. It was very hard to have a two-way conversation with him; he plugged his procedures and his products and it was a struggle to make him listen to questions and concerns. He never got to the root of my problem so his high-priced treatments did nothing for my skin, while all along he kept insisting he saw improvement when there was clearly none. I finally wised up and left the clinic and never looked back, and did find a doctor who worked with me to solve my issues. Pros: Condescending, inattentive, curt, disinterested, hurried more

I have sufferred with psoriasis primarily on my hand for the past 14 years and have seen numerous dermatologist for some type of long term relief only to be told there was nothing they could do other then give me a cortisone shot and Rx for ointment. The cortisone shot would take about 10 days to clear up the psoriasis. Problem was in a few weeks is would return and it's harmful to take those shots within of 90 days of each and over a prolong period of time. About 5 years ago I was lucky enough to find Dr. Coverman and he has worked with me and has given me long term relief and monitors my progress to make certain there are no problems the treatment. \r \r Dr. Coverman is the finest Dermatologist in the area if not the best in the state. He also is a good guy. If you are tired of messing around with skin problems go see him. Pros: No long waits more

Dr. Coverman saved my life. While seeing him for anti-aging/vanity purposes, I decided on a whim to show him moles on my back and forearm. While he was not overly concerned about either, he decided to biopsy both lesions. The small one on my arm turned out to be malignant melanoma. Now, this melanoma did not fit the typical ABCDE's of melanoma, and his comment at the time was ""I don't think it is a melanoma or anything""...but his aggressive approach regarding biopsies saved my life as the melanoma was caught in an early stage. The criticisms of Dr. Coverman in previous reviews can be valid...he can run behind on schedule, and sometimes you have to be strong/persistent with him to get the time you need (I personally make a list of things I need to talk with him about and don't let him leave until we get them all addressed) -- he moves quickly. I don't like getting completely undressed for the skin exams and think that aspect could be handled differently. But, if you want a doctor who will work with you aggressively to catch melanoma and other skin cancers early, Dr. Coverman is for you. If you hate scars and prefer a doctor who ""watches"" your moles, then he is not for you. Pros: Aggressive against skin cancer, great anti-aging approaches and aestheticians Cons: Busy schedule, moves quickly, fully disrobing for skin exams more

I have been battling skin problems for quite some time. Some doctors have told me that I have lupus-like\r symptoms. I have the red butterfly on my face. I break out in blisters. I have a rash under my arms and on\r my stomach. I have dry itchy skin behind my ears. I was referred to Dr. Coverman by a lady that works in cosmetics at a Neiman Marcus cosmetic counter. Dr. Coverman wanted to find out what was going on with me. He was concerned. He understood the embarrassment I felt. He knew that I was depressed because of what I told him. He read my previous history from other doctors. The first visit he gave me prescriptions with coupons to help with the cost. The prescriptions had little effect on my condition. I had another flare-up and called that day to see Dr. Coverman. The staff worked me in. Dr. Coverman wanted\r me to call my rheumatologist. There was not a thing that my rheumatologist could do for me. So, Dr.\r Coverman gave me a kenalog shot. He gave me other prescriptions as well. I received a call from his\r office saying that the medication that he had prescribed was not a good combination with the other meds\r that I was taking. It would be a highly toxic combination. The staff also gave me his personal cell number.\r He was concerned. My skin has cleared and Dr. Coverman believes that I have rosacea. Thank you Dr. C! more

Dr. Coverman is fantastic. He is the best dermatologist I have ever seen!! He was very thorough and spent lots of time with me. He addressed all of concerns, didn't rush me at all and was empathetic to my concerns. I would HIGHLY recommend this doctor. I wish all of my doctors were so thorough and compassionate. more

A good doctor is a doctor who collaborates with you on treatment options rather than dictate what must be done. My son went to Dr. Coverman with severe cystic acne. Due to other health issues, Accutane was not an option. We tried everything short of Accutane to get his acne under control. We tried various courses of treatments from antibiotics and topicals, to lasers and light treatments. Each treatment met with its own success, but not to Dr. Coverman's level of satisfaction. Dr. Coverman diligently worked with myself and my son as he fully understands how devastating severe acne can be on a child's emotional and mental well being.\r \r While Dr. Coverman always maintained belief Accutane to be my son's best option, he respected my wishes not to put him on the medication until we had exhausted all other avenues. That day came. All avenues had been exhausted. It was a big decision on our part, but we finally tried Accutane. He watched my son closely for potential complications, given our family's history. Long story short, my son is now acne free and a very happy young man, thanks to Dr. Coverman's watchful eye.\r \r A good doctor is a doctor that collaborates with you on your treatment to the best of your health and welfare. Dr. Coverman exceeds this criterion.\r \r A very satisfied and thankful mother,\r Ophelia2\r \r more

Overall DR. Coverman is my FAVORITE Doctor, especially as THE Dermatologist I have\r chosen to go to. I have been a patient for many years, and I do not hesitate to recommend Dr. Coverman to anyone that needs the services of a dermatologist. Dr. Coverman has always strived to be on time for my appointments, and only occasionally has he been behind on his schedule; and only when it was very late in the day. The few times he has kept me waiting, he always expressed his apologies. Dr. Coverman is always very thorough, focused, and personable no matter how stressful his day has apparently been for him. The results of his treatments have been very satisfactory. I continue to see Dr. Coverman even though my insurance no longer pays for visits. Pros: Friendly capable staff. Cons: City traffic in getting to office. more

I have known Dr Coverman for many years and I can't imagine a more concerned, thoughtful, attentive, and caring doctor, much less, dermatologist. I've had some mole and skin issues over the past few years that he has treated. Dr Coverman has even called me at home and on my cell phone to check up on me...are you kidding me? A doctor that will call and check in to see how you're doing? Incredibly thorough and truly cares. I wish my ENT, allergist, and GP were half the doctor that Dr Coverman is. Pros: Always been the best! more

I took my daughter to Dr. Coverman due to a suspicious mole and a minor rash. He spent the whole time talking into his microrecorder discussing the rash which he said was harmless. He wanted me to bring her back for another appointment to look at the mole. Why? Just for another office visit fee? I was much more concerned about possible melonoma, but obiviously skin cancer does not conern Dr. Coverman. I will find a dermatologist that cares. What a waste of time. Pros: Staff is very friendly and nice. Cons: Dr. Coverman is more concerned with cosmetics than health more

My wife and I are patients of Dr. Coverman. I must say he is the most knowledgeable dermatologist I have ever met. He treated my wife and I for separate issues around 4 years apart. In both cases, he dealt with us honestly and respectfully. He even went out of his way to call my wife personally several times to check up on her. This level of care should be a standard for all doctors.\r \r I have never written a review before, but after reading some of the other negative reviews, I had to speak up because my opinion and experience with Dr. Coverman was exemplary. Pros: Respect and honesty more

I have to say a few things after seeing previous comments. I am 29 years old and have never had any skin issues at all until recently. Acne...Dr. Coverman came recommended to me by a friend that had been going to him for years so I trusted that referral. Once I met Dr. Coverman I knew he ginuinely wanted to help and see progress with what I felt was a very embarrasing situation. After a couple of visits and treatment options we were well on our way to being healthy again. Dr Coverman not only had a huge amount of empathy for my situation, he would call to check on me and my progress. I don't think I have ever had a Doc show that kind of care through actions. Two thumbs up for Dr. Coverman. more

I am now living in LA but flew back to Austin to visit my parents during the Christmas holidays. I had seen a couple of doctors in LA about a skin problem I was having but had obtained no relief. I was only going to be in Austin a few of days and really wanted to see a dermatologist but figured with the holidays I wouldn't be able to find anyone to see me. I was able to contact Dr. Coverman, who had once seen me when I was a child, and even though his office was closed, he agreed to meet me there, open his office, and examine my skin problem. He gave me a very thorough exam, diagnosed my skin problem, and prescribed medications to treat it. He was vastly better than the two doctors I had seen in LA. That he was willing to take time away from his family during the holiday season to treat my problem really impressed me. I just wish we had doctors like this in LA. Pros: Compassionate Care During the Holidays Cons: Prescriptions were very expensive more

I began seeing Dr. Coverman on a referral when I was about 21 years of age. I was getting over a nasty bacterial infection and out of nowhere I had a red rash forming on my stomach and spreading to my arms etc. I was diagnosed with psoriasis. Being that psoriasis in largely hereditary and no one in my family had it, was a bit concerned. I went to see Dr. Coverman, and like most good doctors, he was pretty busy. He wasn't however too busy to talk to me about my options with my skin. Of course there were/are many options on medications that I could take to help with my psoriasis, but he did not recommened that I try any of them due to my young age. He started me on creams etc and that just didn't control the problem. He then suggested PUVA. This was an absolute life saver. For a young girl watching her friends run around in their bathing suits in the summer, and I would be sidelined in long sleeve shirts and overalls, this was an absolute god sent. My psoriasis went into remission and what is left is controlled by creams. My body was largely 90% covered before and maybe 1% now. He always gives me a straight forward answer to any questions I may have. I am not even kidding when I say that he changed my life. My mother literally cried after she saw me for the first time after just a couple PUVA treatments. Creepy? I never got that vibe. He is constantly talking about his daughter. He even once recognized a shirt I was wearing and where I got it because his daughter shopped at the same clothing store. He is a great doctor hands down, and after 12 years I still go to him with any skin problems I may be having. Pros: Really knows his stuff Cons: A little far from my house, but willing to make the drive more

I'm 27 and continuing to experience acne breakouts. I put on my doctor forms that I would consider a laser procedure, I'd like to learn more about it, my main concern is that it will diminish my existing acne scars, but would the effects fade when I experienced new breakouts? I can't afford to be getting those kind of procedures regularly. Should I try to get my skin under control and then consider some re-surfacing procedure? \r \r Dr. Coverman came in and reviewed my forms while I sat there, asked me no questions, and did not examine my skin ONCE. He was condescending and extremely unapproachable. The brief time he spent with me (not looking at my skin) was going on and on about the expensive laser treatments I needed (though the concerns expressed on my forms were not addressed), and writing me a prescription at the end for Retin-A. After marketing his laser treatments, he put the sell on his make-up brand. At the end, while I was paying for the visit, he suggested I stay and have his receptionist show me how to apply his make-up brand. When you visit a dermatologist about acne at the age of 27, you are wanting clear skin, not a receptionist showing me how to cover up my horrible skin. I would have stopped at the Clinque counter at the mall if that was my goal. For free. Pros: I got a prescription. Cons: None of my questions were answered, the prescription didn't help, and I was made to feel like an idiot. more

My 16 year-old son calls Dr. Coverman ""The Covermaster"" and has declared him his favorite doctor ever. This was after a full body mole check, six mole shaves and surgery for a pre-cancerous mole. My son appreciates Dr. Coverman's calm, confident manner and the fact that he doesn't treat him like a kid. The experience was uncomfortable and embarrassing at times but Dr. Coverman and his staff made it as easy as possible. Dr. Coverman may be all business, but skin cancer is nothing to fool around with and I want a doctor who knows what he's doing. Dr. Coverman does. Pros: I feel very confident in Dr. Coverman's knowledge and skill. Cons: We occasionally have to wait, but not for an unreasonably long time. more

Don't make an appointment unless you've got all day. Dr. Coverman schedules his appt.s in 10 minute intervals. How likely is it that he gets way behind? Very. If you want a doctor that is more concerned with his time(not yours) and his bottom line (recommends unnecessary treatments/procedures without invitation), then by all means, give him a call! The other reviewer is right! Dr. Coverman is cold and generally unhelpful. I went to him for awhile because he was on my insurance plan. What a waste of time and co-pays. more

I really liked this place at first. I went for laser treatments and by the 5th treatment I noticed a raised mark on my face. I inquired about it with the technician and she was quite responsive and took a look right away. However, Dr Coverman himself was not so responsive. He was cold, condescending and immediately it became an obvious CYA thing - multiple pictures were taken first thing and the Dr began pointing out other imperfections on my face and indicating that tea tree oil causes dermatitis. It's important to note that I had not ever seen the doctor prior to the issue, nor did I ever use tea tree oil - I just mentioned to the technician I was considering using it. So you can draw your own conclusion here. Ultimately the Dr said he did not know what it was but that ""it would be gone in 2 weeks."" Um - if you don't know what it is how can you state when it will disappear? Anyway, it's still there (1 year later) and you know what, it was probably there before I started going to Dr Coverman. When you are having any type of laser procedure done, you are very focused on that area - and I probably just never noticed it before. However, I will not ever step foot in here again as it was quite apparent Dr Coverman was much more concerned about CYA than me. Pros: Technicians are great Cons: Dr Coverman is C R E E P Y more