Varicose Vein Care Is Covered by Insurance

Varicose veins, twisted, enlarged blood vessels just below the surface of the skin that appear bumpy and bluish, are caused by weak or damaged valves. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, including the legs, and veins return it back to the heart. When these valves fail, or are weakened by disease, blood pools in the veins and they rise to the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are more common in women than men. Pregnancy, aging, and heredity contribute to their development. Smoking, lack of exercise, and wearing tight clothing can also increase the risk of developing them.

Center for Advanced Vein Care can diagnose varicose veins by doing a physical exam, which includes looking at your legs while you stand and asking about your symptoms. They may also recommend a test called a duplex ultrasound of the leg external link, which uses sound waves to measure blood flow through the veins.

Treatment options for varicose veins include compression stockings and surgical procedures, which can be performed in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Some of the minimally invasive treatments, such as sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation and radiofrequency ablation, are sometimes covered by insurance. Our team can help you decipher your coverage and make sure you’re fully informed about the treatments that are best for you.

Before performing a procedure, your physician will clean and numb the treatment area. You may feel some pinpricks as the local anesthetic is injected, but it should not be painful. Your doctor will insert a catheter into the affected vein, which is a thin tube that can be guided into place with ultrasound. This allows the doctor to position the catheter near a diseased vein. The physician then delivers electrical heat in 20-second bursts to the affected vein. This causes the vein to close, and over time, the diseased vein is absorbed by the body. The doctor can then remove the catheter, and your leg will heal within a few weeks.

Another option is sclerotherapy, in which your doctor injects a chemical into small- and medium-size varicose veins. This causes the veins to scar and close, and over time, they fade from view. This is also a less-invasive approach, and patients typically return to their regular activities right away. Some bruising is normal after this treatment, but it should disappear in a few weeks.

In some cases, the doctor can take out varicose and spider veins with a minimally invasive technique called endovenous laser ablation. During this procedure, your doctor heats the walls of the vein with laser energy, which causes it to collapse and seal. Over time, the treated vein is rerouted to other healthy blood vessels, and your pain and other symptoms disappear. This is usually covered by insurance, but check with your insurance provider to make sure. Our team is experienced in working with many insurance providers, and we can help you determine your coverage.