Does insurance cover varicose vein treatment? As with all treatments and procedures, insurance will only cover those which are medically necessary, and not for just cosmetic reasons. Keep reading to discover which types of varicose veins and treatments your insurance will pay for and why.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged or twisted veins which show up on the thighs, ankles, and feet due to increased pressure. Yes, they are ugly! If we have them, we tend to camouflage them with cover up creams, or we just wear clothing that hides them from the outside world.
More importantly, they can be a sign of a serious medical condition. You may experience pain, ulcers, swelling, and soreness in the legs.
Different Types Of Varicose Veins
Saphenous varicose veins are related to the saphenous veins in the legs. They swell more than their actual size and bulge out from the skin, and look very much like protruding rope.
Reticular varicose veins spread out like a mesh on the skin. Although they don’t bulge, they are still unattractive.
Spider veins are much smaller and can be red or blue in color. They can appear anywhere on your body and look much like a web. They are thinner and are the smallest of varicose veins.
When Does Insurance Pay For Treatments?
Each insurance provider’s standards for coverage are different. In general, most insurance carriers require:
- Varicose veins must cause symptoms and pain. This would involve persistent swelling, cramps, and burning. Complications like open leg ulcers, blood clots, phlebitis, and ruptured veins would make treatment medically necessary.
- Your symptoms must interfere with your daily life. This would encompass situations like the inability to do your job if you must stand on your feet for long periods of time.
- You must first have tried conservative treatments for approximately 6 to 12 weeks. These include using medical grade compression stockings, doing exercise, leg elevation, taking anti-inflammatory meds, weight loss, and cold packs. It is helpful to keep a daily log of your at home conservative treatments. Have a dated note from your PCP about when you began these treatments.
- Venous insufficiency or reflux must be shown on an ultrasound. Your insurance will cover the ultrasound and any accompanying doctor visits.
It is always best to call your insurance provider first to inquire, not only about coverage requirements, but what your out of pocket cost may be if you have a high deductible plan.
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t suffer with leg pain that interferes with your work, daily activities, or causes complications. Contact Vein Center at Brinton Lake at (610) 579-3516, or request an appointment online, for an evaluation.
