Is the Cost of my Vein Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Are you eligible for coverage for vein procedures and how much will it cover? Are all types of vein treatment methods covered and for all types of vein diseases? These are incredibly important questions to consider when seeking treatment for vein disease. In this article, we'll discuss what insurance covers and the essential information you need to know about it to make the best decision possible.
Does insurance cover vein treatment?
Thankfully the answer is often yes when it comes to vein disease. Most insurance covers vein treatment, but there are some caveats to your insurance covering the treatment. It is important to know that each insurance policy has different requirements to qualify. Therefore, it is vital to go over this information with your vein specialist before proceeding with any type of treatment.
What vein diseases are covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, not all vein diseases are covered by insurance. Two of the most commonly treated vein diseases are varicose veins and spider veins. However, only one of them is covered by insurance. This is because one is treated as a cosmetic procedure while the other is considered medically necessary. You may think these two conditions are similar, which they are in many regards, but let's look at the symptoms of these two common vein diseases to see why varicose veins are covered by insurance and spider veins are not.
Varicose Vein Symptoms
Your legs feel heavier
There is often swelling in the legs
Your legs will suffer from itching and burning
You'll feel relief from pain when your legs are elevated
Your veins may have a raised appearance
The skin flesh can become discolored, red or blue
Your veins often look twisted as if they were a cord
They usually occur on the thighs, calves and insides of the leg
Spider Vein Symptoms
They appear close to the skin, but often have a two-dimensional appearance
They can also be red or blue
They display a branching effect typical of a spider web
They can occur on the legs as well as the face
They can cover both very small or very large areas
The major difference between the two is that spider veins are often considered superficial veins while varicose veins can be a sign of much deeper vein trouble which if not treated can lead to serious health issues. While spider veins can pose a threat, they are not as direct a medical indicator of underlying problems as varicose veins.
Medical Procedures to treat Varicose Veins
Elmore Medical offers a variety of treatment options to get rid of nasty vein diseases and if treatment for your varicose veins is determined to be medically necessary here are some options for the treatments we can provide:
1. EVLT
Also known as Endovenous Laser Therapy, this is regarded as the best available treatment for large, damaged varicose veins. Through a single needle stick, a fine laser fiber is inserted into a varicose vein. Laser energy is used to generate heat which seals the vein closed.
2. Microsurgery
Microsurgery is a technique that utilizes special instruments to remove veins through a few, very tiny, "micro" incisions. The incisions are so small that, with normal healing, one can scarcely find them on the leg.
3. Varithena
A small amount of Varithena is administered into the vein where the microfoam fills the desired section and treats the vein wall, causing the diseased vein to collapse. Blood flow is then redirected to healthier, nearby veins. The microfoam disperses as it comes into contact with blood in healthy veins, meaning no trace is left behind after the procedure.
It is most important to consult with your vein specialist about the right treatment for you and once that is determined they can help you with many of the questions you may have including those related to insurance. Developing a plan with your vein specialist is the best way to know what to expect on your vein health journey and road to recovery.
What to do if vein treatment is not covered by insurance
When vein treatment is not covered by insurance, there are a few steps that can be taken to try and get the procedure covered. One option is to contact the insurance company and ask for a review of the procedure. Another option is to appeal the decision if the insurance company denies coverage. In some cases, it may be possible to get vein treatment covered by appealing to a higher authority within the insurance company. If all of these options fail, another option is to seek out financing for the procedure. There are a number of companies that offer financing for vein treatment, and this can be a good way to get the procedure done even if insurance does not cover it.
Vein treatment is a common medical procedure that can help improve the quality of life for those suffering from varicose veins. Fortunately, many varicose vein procedures are covered by insurance since they are usually deemed medically necessary. However, if you are considering vein treatment and your insurance does not cover it, talk to your vein specialist or vein clinic about your options and find the plan that fits your budget. The team at Elmore Medical are experts on vein health and can help determine what your specific plan covers and help create a comprehensive plan for your vein health.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.