If you’re planning to get varicose vein treatments, you’ll be happy to know that some insurance providers cover the cost! However, as with any insurance claim, it has its own quirks that you have to understand.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to get insurance to pay for varicose vein removal and if your treatment qualifies for such reimbursements. Keep reading to see how you can possibly save money on your next vein treatment!
How much does varicose veins treatment cost?
As with any treatment, the varicose vein procedure cost is often a big concern among patients. This is much so for those with a serious case of varicose veins that will require an extensive and equally expensive treatment.
Overall, the cost depends on what type of treatment you’re going to get. For example, the varicose vein surgery cost may range from $2,000 to $4,000 or even as much as $13,000, depending on the severity.
On the other hand, the cost of varicose vein treatment through sclerotherapy may range from $300 to $400 per session. For more intensive treatment, it can also be up to $1,000 per session.
But regardless of the cost, the main question remains: Is varicose vein treatment covered by insurance? Well, both yes and no. Let’s explain below.
Does insurance cover varicose vein treatment?
The answer to “Does insurance cover varicose veins?” all boils down to two words: medical necessity.
This means that varicose vein removal covered by insurance is only possible if your condition is medically necessary.
But what constitutes a medical necessity? Here are the usual criteria insurance providers often consider:
1. Your varicose veins cause one of these major symptoms.
For your varicose vein treatment to be considered a medical necessity, you should be experiencing any of the following:
- Aching, throbbing, and heaviness in the affected area
- Persistent swelling of the varicose veins and leg
- Lingering leg pain
2. Your varicose vein is causing health complications.
Does insurance cover varicose vein removal? It could be if your condition is causing any of these complications:
- Recurring blood clots on your affected leg
- Your varicose veins are ruptured and bleeding.
- You’re suffering from leg ulceration secondary to your varicose veins.
3. Your varicose vein symptoms affect your daily life.
Your vein treatment covered by insurance is possible if you can prove that the condition is already affecting your daily quality of life.
For example, you need to prove that it’s affecting your job, home, and daily routines in a physical way. Of course, this should be backed by medical evidence signed by a varicose vein doctor.
4. You’ve tried conservative symptom management, but your condition didn’t improve.
Before you go to vein clinics, it’s best to try some conservative ways to manage your varicose vein symptoms. And if your condition doesn’t improve after that, you can consider talking to your insurance provider for possible claim coverage.
Here is the usual conservative management that you can do to see if your situation will improve. Take note that you need to try these methods for at least 6 to 12 weeks to qualify for insurance coverage potentially:
- Losing weight if the varicose vein is related to weight gain
- Exercise
- Leg elevation
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage the discomfort.
- Applying ice or heat packs on the affected area.
5. You’re diagnosed with venous reflux
If you’re searching for ‘varicose vein treatment near me’ and want it to be insurance-covered, you should consider getting checked for venous reflux.
Venous reflux happens when the valve of your leg veins is damaged, which prevents blood and fluids from flowing upward back to the heart. When this happens, you’ll suffer from varicose veins and other conditions.
For this, you can look for a ‘varicose veins doctor near me’ and have your leg checked. If you’re diagnosed with venous reflux, your insurance likely covers the varicose vein treatment.
What types of treatments for varicose veins are covered by insurance?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, insurance providers usually cover varicose vein treatments if they are a medical necessity. This is often regardless of the type, as long as it’s not for cosmetic purposes.
But will insurance cover varicose vein treatment if I get it from a medical spa? Unfortunately, medical spas offer cosmetic treatments, so it’s unlikely that your treatment will be reimbursed.
On the other hand, what kind of doctor treats varicose veins? And if it’s doctor-treated, doesn’t it automatically qualify for an insurance claim?
While many varicose vein procedures done by doctors are insurance-covered, it still boils down to its medical necessity. Your doctor can definitely advise you or even handle the insurance claim on your behalf if it’s a covered treatment.
If your treatment is indeed covered, you must consider whether your doctor is within your insurance’s network. In some cases, insurance providers have specific in-network varicose vein treatment providers where you can receive reimbursed treatments.
How to check if your insurance covers the varicose vein removal cost
Are varicose veins covered by insurance? If you’re still asking this question until now, you probably have to confirm the following:
1. Your type of treatment.
As we’ve mentioned, cosmetic varicose vein treatments as well as spider vein treatments are not usually insurance covered. Otherwise, your needed treatment might be up for reimbursement.
2. Your plan inclusions.
Once you’ve confirmed the medical necessity of your vein treatment, the next step is to check whether your insurance plan covers the said procedure.
For this, you can review your insurance policy or call your insurance provider to confirm. If it’s indeed covered, make sure you ask about co-pays, deductibles, and other related to varicose vein treatment costs with insurance.
3. Your employer’s possible insurance exclusions.
If you have company-provided health insurance, you should check if the plan excludes any treatments. Some employers exclude some vein treatments from their coverage to save money.
It helps to communicate with your employer to know whether your vein treatment is covered or not. They could be kind enough to include it in their coverage to help you with the cost, especially if it’s an expensive procedure.
When are varicose vein treatments considered cosmetic?
Is vein treatment covered by insurance if it’s for cosmetic purposes? Most of the time, no.
So, now, the question is this: when is it considered ‘cosmetic’?
Generally, if the varicose or spider vein treatment is intended for appearance purposes only, it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. Therefore, any vein treatment that doesn’t address health symptoms like swelling or pain is considered cosmetic and won’t be covered by insurance.
As much as cosmetic vein treatments can boost your confidence and self-image, it’s not medically necessary.
The good thing is that most cosmetic vein treatments are more affordable than medical treatments, except for a few fancy ones. Many medical spas also offer financing or payment options to help you get the treatment you need without the huge upfront cost.
What if my insurance doesn’t cover the varicose vein treatment cost?
In case your insurance provider doesn’t cover the cost of varicose vein removal, you can explore budget-friendly alternatives instead. At Pure Skin Laser Center, we offer vein treatments that will help reduce the appearance of your varicose or spider veins. Unlike surgeries or invasive treatments, our procedures are easier on the pocket.
Here are the varicose and spider vein treatments we offer:
Asclera injection
With asclera injection, we will administer polidocanol, a special agent, into your veins to reduce its bulging or swelling. This will reduce the appearance of your varicose veins, so you’ll be confident wear shorts, skirts, and that dress that used to make you self-conscious.
This injection is a great solution for very small spider veins or those less than 1 mm in diameter. Also, it’s a good treatment for varicose veins that are 1 to 3 mm in diameter.
Overall, this treatment will only cause minor discomfort, such as stinging or slight burning in the treatment area. Some of our clients don’t report any serious discomfort at all.
Laser treatment
For spider veins, our laser spider vein treatment is very popular in North Hollywood. We use the FDA-approved Candela Gentle MaxPro to snap out unsightly spider veins on your face and legs. Unlike surgery, our laser treatment has minimal downtime and can be scheduled during your lunch hour.
Overall, the laser spider vein treatment effectively eliminates spider veins within 4 to 6 sessions.
In addition, our laser equipment does wonders for other skin problems. It’s your one-stop solution for skin tags, age spots, unwanted tattoos, and even loose skin!
Looking for an affordable solution for your varicose veins or spider veins?
At Pure Skin Laser Center, we offer reasonably priced treatments that will help you get rid of pesky spider veins or varicose veins. Our medical spa is equipped with the latest skin technologies that will target problem areas, such as bulging veins, without surgery.
On top of that, only licensed and registered nurses will administer our treatment. Our experts have 10+ years of experience in aesthetic nursing, so rest assured that you’re in the best hands in North Hollywood.
Also, we only use FDA-approved and clinically proven equipment to give you the best possible results. Our 1,000+ happy clients are solid proof to the quality and efficacy of our treatments.
If you’re interested and want to get rid of your varicose or spider veins, contact us today! Our specialist will give you a consultation to know which treatment is best for your needs.
