Are Varicose and Spider Veins Covered by Insurance?
Do you want varicose veins or spider veins treatment, but you’re concerned it will cost too much? It’s true that some procedures aren’t covered for certain patients, but many varicose and spider veins are eligible for insurance coverage. Vein problems cause a host of debilitating symptoms that can affect productivity and overall health.
Insurance plans now routinely cover these treatments because they’re no longer considered merely cosmetic, and they also rarely require surgery anymore. The most important thing is to book an appointment with a board certified vein doctor. This greatly increases your chance of acquiring coverage, since the procedure won’t be viewed as simply cosmetic. Vein doctors have diagnostic technology that can prove the necessity of treatment.
Are Only the Treatments Deemed Medically Necessary Covered?
Insurance plans vary, but most require evidence from your vein doctor that the procedure is deemed medically necessary. The good news is vein doctors now have advanced tools to identify the source of the problem in deeper veins and prove that the issue is more than skin deep. That’s why it’s so important to choose a vein doctor, rather than an esthetician or dermatologist for vein care. Not only are they more skilled at treating veins, they’re also better at proving the medical necessity of the procedure.
Is Venous Ultrasound Required to Prove Medical Necessity?
Requirements vary between insurance plans, but here are some factors that help patients achieve insurance coverage for their procedure.
Common Factors That Indicate Medical Necessity:
- Your veins are symptomatic: Varicose and spider veins that cause cramping, swelling, itching, heaviness, fatigue, or restlessness in the legs are often a sign of venous insufficiency which impacts daily life and warrants insurance coverage.
- You have a complication: If you develop venous ulcerations, venous stasis dermatitis, profuse bleeding, or blood clots with your defective veins, insurance companies will likely cover your treatment.
- Venous ultrasound identified vein problems: When you choose a board certified vein doctor, they’ll use advanced tools like Duplex Ultrasound to spot venous reflux and locate the source of your spider or varicose vein, which often requires medical intervention in deeper veins.
- DIY treatments failed: Some insurance plans require you to try things like weight loss, exercise, leg elevation, or compression stockings for a month or two before they’ll approve coverage. Talk to our vein doctors about this requirement since we’re trained to explain the necessity to your insurance provider.
Which Varicose Vein Treatment Is Medically Necessary?
There are several varicose vein treatments that classify as medically necessary, including sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation, mechanochemical ablation, vein adhesives, and phlebectomy. Determining coverage involves a medical examination where the vein doctor identifies the source of the vein problem and reviews your symptoms and medical history to see which procedure is right for you.
For instance, most veins don’t require surgery, so phlebectomy might not be covered for your veins. Or, if you are allergic to an ingredient in a particular treatment, a different one will be granted insurance coverage. Our Harvard-trained vein doctors in California will customize an affordable, effective treatment plan precisely for you.
Is Laser Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Laser treatment is a broad term that includes surface treatments applied to the skin, and endovenous treatments applied to the vein’s walls. Endovenous laser ablation is more likely to be covered by insurance because it’s often used on varicose veins in the legs that are caused by vein disease. Topical, pulsed-dye laser treatment for facial veins might be considered elective or cosmetic. So, if you have vein damage in your legs, look for a board certified vein doctor who performs laser treatment beneath the surface of your skin.
Does Coverage Vary Between Health Insurance Plans?
Coverage not only varies between different insurance carriers, but also between the different health insurance plans they each offer. You can call your insurance company to inquire about coverage, but this process is often frustrating and misleading for the patient. Instead, visit our California vein center where our insurance specialists will file paperwork on your behalf and determine your coverage for you.
Currently, the American Venous Forum and American Venous and Lymphatic Society are working to eliminate the disparity between health insurance plans for the millions who suffer from vein problems. So, the answer to, “Are varicose veins covered by insurance?” will hopefully be a universal one in the future.
Is My Vein Problem Eligible for Insurance Coverage?
Certain vein problems are more likely to receive coverage. These include symptomatic veins, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, varicose veins, leg veins, and blood clots. Patients with spider veins or varicose veins often have undiagnosed Chronic Venous Insufficiency. So, seeing a qualified vein doctor is key to diagnosing this and getting your insurance plan to cover spider or varicose vein treatment. Cosmetic vein centers don’t look beneath the surface or treat vein disease, so insurance coverage is unlikely outside of an accredited medical vein center.
Which Vein Centers Will Help You Get Insurance Coverage?
Where are veins covered by insurance in California? The vein centers in California that help you obtain insurance coverage are facilities that are accredited by the IAC and run by board certified vein doctors. These centers use FDA-approved, time-tested techniques for veins, and the doctors have proven their ability to analyze the medical necessity of treatment.
If you choose a cosmetic center for veins, not only will the procedure be more expensive, but it also won’t last, since they won’t address the underlying issue. If you have undiagnosed Chronic Venous Insufficiency, you’ll need to repeat cosmetic treatments over and over again, since valve failure in deeper veins will keep producing spider and varicose veins. Choose board certified vein specialists for enduring, affordable treatment of spider veins, varicose veins, and venous insufficiency.
Which CA Vein Doctors Cover Treatment for My Vein Problem?
Our award-winning vein centers in California accept all major insurance plans and have a proven ability to acquire coverage for our patients. Most of our patients have no out-of-pocket expenses, since we offer a wide range of treatments to suit each patient’s needs. Our insurance team handles the entire process, including filing paperwork on your behalf and determining the cost of your procedure before the treatment.
You’ll go to your appointment fully aware of what your portion will be, so there are no surprises on your bill. With our certified diplomates’ exceptional track record and our accredited facility, coverage is easy for patients to achieve. Visit us in San Diego or San José for vein care that fits your schedule and your budget!