“Is it covered by insurance?” is one of the most often asked questions concerning spider vein therapy. The answer is dependent on your specific condition and the coverage provided by your insurance plan. Continue reading to discover more about spider veins and to see whether your treatment is covered by insurance.
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, can be blue, purple, or red in color and resemble a spider or spider web. Spider veins are most commonly found on the legs, although they can also arise on the face. They are caused by poor circulation and fragile vascular walls.
Many people disregard spider veins as a cosmetic issue, assuming that any spider vein treatments will not be reimbursed by insurance. However, this is not always the case. Spider veins can sometimes be caused by a condition called venous insufficiency. Most insurance companies will pay the cost of one of the spider vein treatment options offered by Advanced Interventional Vein and Vascular Center if spider veins are the consequence of an underlying condition like venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can only be diagnosed by a skilled physician, thus it’s critical to find the proper doctor for your spider vein diagnosis and treatment.
Sclerotherapy is a prominent vein treatment used to treat spider veins and varicose veins. A very small needle is used to inject a vein-shrinking solution into troublesome veins during the treatment. Over the course of two weeks, the veins constrict, diminish, and eventually disappear.
For spider veins, telangiectasia, or small angiomas less than 0.33 millimeters, the VeinGogh Ohmic Thermolysis System is an ideal therapeutic choice. A hair-thin probe is used to send a high-frequency current to the vein, causing the blood to coagulate and the vein wall to collapse. The vein that has been injured is reabsorbed by the body. VeinGogh is frequently used with sclerotherapy for a spider vein treatment that removes both large and tiny veins.
Contact Dr. Keith Sterling and the professionals at Advanced Interventional Vein and Vascular Center if you’re ready to learn more about spider vein treatment. To discover more about your specific problem and the treatment choices that are best for you, schedule a consultation. Following your appointment, you will be given a personalized treatment plan, as well as assistance from our Vein Care Coordinator in understanding the associated fees and payment alternatives.
How can I get insurance to pay for spider veins?
Veins that are swollen and painful are signs that medical attention is needed. Wearing thigh-high compression stockings can help blood flow around the problematic area, but varicose veins will remain until they are surgically removed or closed.
Before covering varicose vein treatments, most insurance companies will want to see the results of a venous ultrasound. A quick consultation appointment in a vein specialist’s clinic is covered by most insurance plans, and the provider will be able to present the quality of your veins. Your therapy will be categorized as medically required if the ultrasound reveals that your varicose veins are causing swelling, ulceration, heaviness, or backward blood flow. This proof will provide your insurer with the information they require to fund the removal operation.
If Your Veins Are Cosmetic Concerns
The look of lesser vein problems can be dramatically improved with cosmetic vein therapy. Cosmetic veins, such as spider veins, are not considered symptomatic of medically essential therapy, unlike varicose veins. As a result, this sort of treatment is classified as cosmetic and is rarely covered by health insurance. As a result, patients will almost always have to pay for cosmetic procedures themselves.
Endovenous laser ablation
The energy used in this treatment cauterizes (burns) and closes varicose veins. This vein treatment is effective in reducing discomfort, edema, and irritation associated with veins. Ablation is a less invasive and safer alternative to standard vein removal surgery. Ultrasound will be used by your doctor to visualize the vein. Through a small incision, a fiber or electrode is transferred to the desired spot within the vein. To collapse the vein around the fiber or electrode, local anesthetic is given into the tissues around the vein. The energy warms the vessel, forcing it to close and shrinking the defective vein.
Chemical ablation using state of the art foam sclerotherapy (Varithena)
Varithena (polidocanol injectable foam) is an injectable foam used to treat varicose veins caused by problems with the great saphenous vein (GSV) and other veins in the GSV system of the leg. Varithena reduces the appearance of varicose veins and alleviates symptoms associated with or caused by varicose veins. Within seconds, a column of concentrated foam will ruin the vein wall’s lining, triggering an inflammatory response that will allow the vessel to close. In general, as compared to other types of sclerosis, it is a far safer and more effective tool to utilize at this time.
Medical adhesive that results in closure of the unwanted veins (Venaseal)
The vein is closed with an adhesive in this process. A qualified clinician fills a syringe with medical adhesive, which is then injected into the VenaSeal closure system’s dispensing gun, which is linked to a catheter, during the process. Under ultrasound guidance, the catheter is inserted into the affected vein. The catheter is implanted in precise regions along the sick vein, and the medical adhesive is delivered through a series of trigger pulls by the clinician.
Mechanochemical ablation of the vein (MOCA)
Sclerosant chemicals are administered directly into the defective saphenous vein trunk with a catheter that also rotates and somewhat damages the vein lining during mechanochemical vein ablation. This combination is intended to boost the vein’s obliteration success rate.
Ambulatory microphlebectomy
Through small, slit-like incisions in the skin, ambulatory phlebectomy eliminates superficial veins. This procedure can be used to treat both asymptomatic and symptomatic superficial veins in the skin. Larger veins that bulge over the surface of the skin, as well as varicose veins, are commonly treated with this procedure. Small incisions are used to define the veins, and bulging veins are surgically removed segment by segment.
Finding The Best Treatment Option For You
It can be difficult to tell whether your leg pain is caused by a normal ache or soreness from a long day at work, or if it is a symptom of a more serious problem that necessitates medical attention. Contact Hinsdale Vein & Laser today to schedule a consultation appointment to see if your insurance will cover the removal of your varicose veins.
How much does it cost to get a spider vein removed?
According to 2020 figures from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of spider vein treatment (sclerotherapy) is $413, and the average cost of laser treatment for leg veins is $312.
Does insurance pay for vein removal?
Patients with both medical and aesthetic vein problems are not rare. What is the distinction? Most insurance companies only cover varicose vein therapy if it is judged necessary “Medically required.” Cosmetic treatments are those that do not match the policy’s criteria. What is considered medically necessary by insurance companies? Is it even worth it to try to get your insurance to pay for your vein treatments? All of these are regular inquiries that we receive on a daily basis. Sometimes the answers are self-evident, and other times the distinction between medical and cosmetic vein disease is hazy. The answer to whether or not your varicose veins are medically necessary may be determined not only by your symptoms, but also by the terms of your insurance coverage. This means that what is medically required under one insurance plan may be considered cosmetic under another. In this article, I’ll explain what you’ll need to get insurance to fund your vein treatments, as well as whether or not attempting to do so is in your best interests.
To begin with, most insurance plans would say that spider vein therapy is not medically necessary. As a result, the majority of spider vein treatments are deemed cosmetic. The only exception is when a patient’s spider veins are causing hemorrhage. Spider veins are small red and blue veins on the skin’s surface that are smaller than 1mm in diameter. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are bigger (3mm or greater), ropy veins beneath the skin’s surface. Varicose veins frequently bulge or protrude, forming lumps. However, not all varicose veins are visible on the surface of the skin; in fact, many people have varicose veins beneath the skin and only visible spider veins on the surface. An examination by a vein care specialist can help you establish if there is any pathology beneath the skin that meets medical requirements. Swelling and even ulceration, for example, are symptoms of severe vein disease, although they can also occur in the absence of ropy varicose veins.
This brings us to the first medical necessity criterion: symptoms. It is not medically required to dislike the sight of a vein; however, having symptoms usually is. Aching, heaviness, discomfort, throbbing, leg tiredness, frequent nighttime cramps, itching, swelling, and restless legs are all common venous symptoms. Other possible presenting signs include bleeding, pigmentation (skin discoloration), and even ulceration. Many patients do not know how symptomatic they are until their veins have been treated, in my experience. Patients mistakenly feel that their symptoms are just normal indicators of aging since venous disease symptoms develop slowly, frequently over several years. It’s vital to keep in mind, though, that your legs should not hurt or be tender. On a daily basis, fatigued or heavy legs are not normal. Similarly, leaving imprints on your ankles with your socks is an indication of swelling. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you may have venous insufficiency, and a medical vein disease workup is recommended.
Venous reflux is the next criterion that most insurance companies use to determine medical necessity. This criterion is reasonable. In essence, the insurance companies are claiming that they would not cover the costs “If a vein isn’t broken, it can be repaired. Although blood should go up the veins from the legs to the heart, gravity always pulls it back down to the feet. Backwards flow is prevented by valves in the veins of our legs. If the valves fail, gravity pulls the blood back down rather than up the vein. Reflux is the term for this retrograde flow. An ultrasound is the most accurate technique to identify whether you have reflux or not, and it should be performed in a standing position to be accurate. This criterion also rules out spider vein treatment because ultrasounds aren’t sensitive enough to detect reflux in such small veins.
A trial of conservative therapy is the final requirement frequently seen in most insurance policies when it comes to the medical necessity of venous care. Essentially, your insurance provider encourages you to attempt non-invasive methods to alleviate your symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight, walking, periodically lifting your legs above the level of your heart, calf raises, and using compression stockings are all conservative steps you may take at home. In fact, most insurance companies require you to wear class 2 compression stockings (medical grade or at least 20-30mm Hg) for 6-12 weeks before they will pay treatments. To aid with venous symptoms, I usually recommend all of the aforementioned conservative approaches. Unfortunately, while compression stockings, leg elevation, and walking all assist, none of them provide long-term relief in my experience. That is, symptoms usually return shortly after you remove the compression stockings or put your legs back down.
In summary, the three most common medical necessity criteria are symptoms, venous reflux, and a conservative therapy trial.
Is this to say that everyone with symptoms should bill their insurance for all of their treatments? Again, the answer to this inquiry will be determined by your coverage and deductible. If you have symptomatic varicose veins that are likely to show reflux on an ultrasound but might be readily treated with sclerotherapy and a high deductible plan, you might be better off treating and paying for it as a cosmetic operation. This is because the cost of an ultrasound and therapy will almost certainly be less than your deductible. In certain circumstances, bypassing the ultrasound and going straight to therapies could save you money.
If, on the other hand, your deductible has been met, the identical scenario could be ethically and legally billed to your insurer because the veins are symptomatic and meet the policy’s medical necessity rules. Of course, you should consult with a physician to see if you can avoid the ultrasound. If the veins are small but overlie or drain areas of commonly diseased veins, you may have a problem with one of the named superficial veins, such as the Greater Saphenous Vein. In this case, sclerotherapy alone is unlikely to provide long-term relief, and an ultrasound would be recommended to determine the exact source of the problem. If your doctor determines that an endovenous ablation is necessary after the ultrasound, those operations are more expensive, therefore it’s probably preferable to bill them to insurance and have them applied to your deductible.
It’s also worth noting that these are only guidelines; each insurance coverage is unique. It’s critical to verify with your insurance company to see what your policy’s exact requirements are.
Please contact our office if you have any further questions about whether you have medical or cosmetic vein disease, or both. We provide free cosmetic tests, and if it is discovered that you have a medical condition, you may be scheduled for a formal and full clinical assessment, as well as an ultrasound if necessary.
Does a dermatologist remove spider veins?
Spider or varicose veins can have an impact on more than just your appearance. These veins can be extremely painful. Varicose veins can cause complications such as a blood clot or open sores on your legs.
Leg veins can be removed or faded with minimally invasive treatment. Treatment can also help to alleviate symptoms such as pain and exhaustion, as well as prevent complications.
Why we get visible leg veins
Damaged veins cause varicose and spider veins. When tiny one-way valves inside the veins get weakened, we develop them. These valves drive blood in one way back to our hearts in healthy veins. Some blood flows backward and collects in the vein as these valves fail. The extra blood in the vein puts pressure on the vein walls.
The vein walls weaken and swell as a result of constant pressure. A varicose or spider vein develops over time.
Some persons are more prone to acquiring these veins than others. You’re more likely to get them if you have blood relatives who have them. Many people develop them as a result of spending most of their week sitting or standing for lengthy periods of time. With aging and during pregnancy, these veins grow more prevalent.
How dermatologists treat leg veins
Self-care to minor surgery are all alternatives for treatment. One or more of the following treatments may be used by a dermatologist:
Self-care: Your dermatologist can provide you with suggestions on how to improve your circulation. These are some of the suggestions:
Self-care tips can help you avoid getting new varicose and spider veins, but they won’t help you get rid of the ones you already have.
Compression stockings: These stockings offer constant pressure to the legs to assist in the return of blood to the heart. The constant pressure also helps to minimize edema in your lower legs and the danger of a blood clot. Leg veins will still be apparent, though.
A dermatologist can evaluate you if you need compression stockings so that you get the optimum size and quantity of pressure.
Sclerotherapy is the most popular treatment for varicose veins in the legs. Dermatologists have improved sclerotherapy over time to make treatment safer and provide better results for patients. It is being used by dermatologists to treat spider veins and minor varicose veins.
The spider or varicose vein is irritated by a substance that your dermatologist injects into it. Injections are made in various regions of the vein.
You should take daily walks and wear the compression stockings as advised to help reduce side effects. The compression stockings are typically worn for two to three weeks by most patients.
Sclerotherapy causes the vein’s walls to cling together, preventing blood from flowing through it. This increases circulation and lowers edema in the affected limb.
In most cases, spider veins fade away in 3 to 6 weeks. It takes 3 to 4 months to get rid of varicose veins.
You may need two or three treatments to achieve the optimum effects. These treatments can be done in the office by a dermatologist. There is no need for anesthetic.
Spider veins and minor varicose veins are treated with lasers by dermatologists. The laser light is directed at the vein by your dermatologist during laser treatment.
Can I get rid of spider veins myself?
In the end, spider veins will not vanish on their own. This is why it is critical to treat them as soon as possible to avoid them worsening. If you have any associated discomfort or swelling, which could signal underlying disorders, it’s extremely crucial to consult a physician.
What do they inject to get rid of spider veins?
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that is used to get rid of varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a procedure that includes injecting a fluid (usually a salt solution) directly into a vein. The solution irritates the blood vessel lining, causing it to collapse and clump together, resulting in blood clotting. The vessel eventually transforms into scar tissue and vanishes from view.
Does removing spider veins hurt?
The therapy may cause your veins to feel heated and irritated, similar to a little burn. This shouldn’t be very bothersome; in fact, most patients forget about it once their surgery is through.
What is the best way to get rid of spider veins?
A: Sclerotherapy or laser treatment can be used to eradicate spider veins. Both of these procedures produce good results with little to no downtime. Even high-intensity physical exercise can usually be resumed the next day for most patients.
The use of laser therapy is very popular. By infiltrating the skin, it kills the vein. However, as it penetrates, it burns and, sadly, causes skin damage. It also only damages a little portion of a vein at a time. For spider veins, I personally do not use laser treatment.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into big veins with a tiny needle. The solution irritates the vein, causing it to scar and close, and it spreads to all of the vein’s branches. You can see them vanish in an instant. It’s a lot more efficient technique with a lower risk of skin injury. It’s almost painless because the needle is so small and delicate. It’s also a painless solution.
What insurance covers varicose veins?
Is Varicose Vein Treatment Covered by Insurance? The following are the factors used to assess if insurance will cover varicose vein therapy.
Varicose vein treatments that are considered “medically required care” will be covered by most insurance types (including Medicare and Molina), but not for “cosmetic care.”
To be covered by insurance, varicose veins (bulging leg veins) must produce symptoms such as leg pain. Spider veins (tiny clusters of blood vessels on the surface of the skin) are a cosmetic procedure that is not covered by insurance.
Vein treatment that is medically necessary indicates the varicose veins are causing symptoms like leg pain, heaviness, chronic swelling, nighttime cramping, or burning. Leg ulcers (open wounds) from varicose veins, repeated blood clots or phlebitis, ruptured bleeding veins, or skin darkening around the ankle are all symptoms that may indicate therapy.
The symptoms must be severe enough to interfere with a person’s everyday activities or capacity to work. A teacher, for example, may have varicose veins that hinder them from standing and doing their job because they need to elevate their legs frequently. Due to leg soreness after a few hours, a restaurant server may no longer be able to work long shifts. Symptoms might make it difficult to live a healthy lifestyle, such as limiting the amount of exercise one can do or being unable to cook or perform housework owing to leg pain.
In most circumstances, insurance companies demand that conservative methods be taken over a period of time. Compression stockings, leg elevation, exercise, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen or vasoactive drugs such as horse chestnut or Vascular, and hot/cold packs are all examples of conservative therapy. Before being authorized for treatment, many insurance companies require that you wear medical-grade compression stockings for 6 to 12 weeks. You should schedule an appointment as soon as possible and start incorporating cautious management into your daily routine. You should start maintaining a daily journal of the conservative therapy you’re using. If your primary care physician has previously prescribed compression stockings, having a note from your doctor or the prescription will help you stay within your conservative management time frame.
Ultrasound testing is required to confirm underlying venous insufficiency. Most insurance kinds cover the ultrasound study to determine the treatment as well as the physician appointments.
The following treatments are not covered by insurance because they are considered “cosmetic services”:
If you responded yes to each of the four questions, you are likely to meet the medical necessity requirements for vein treatment. Please note that this is a condensed questionnaire for the benefit of the patient’s understanding.
And/or have you had any of the following varicose vein complications?
- Have you tried conservative management but it hasn’t totally healed your vein problem?
- Yes, I’ve tried compression socks/stockings as well as at least two of the following:
- OTC supplements like horse chestnut or grapeseed extract or venoactive medications like Vascular
- Have you had an ultrasound to see whether you have underlying venous reflux disease?
- Yes, my ultrasound showed reverse flow in my veins, which was documented (venous reflux)
Some individual insurance policies, however, do not cover varicose vein therapy; this is mainly due to an employer’s exclusion. In this instance, it’s possible to urge the company to include varicose vein treatments in the insurance policy. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card to see if vein treatments are covered. We will assist you in determining what your insurance will cover when you begin the vein treatment process with us. Our prior authorization specialist will acquire preauthorization (permission) for your treatment and will be available to answer any questions you may have.