Patients often wear compression socks as a conservative first-line treatment for varicose veins. Patients also need to wear them after vein procedures or surgery. But Medicare does not pay for these socks—even if the doctor writes a prescription.
Medicare Advantage plans may provide some coverage for compression socks or stockings under certain circumstances. This helps since compression socks can cost more than $100 with certain prescriptions.
Vein ablations for varicose veins are covered by most insurance plans. You will need to check your plan’s coverage as you may be responsible for a portion depending on your plan. How much does it cost? The average cost of a vein ablation is about $1500-$2000 per vein out of pocket
First off, you should know that there are two types of vein removal procedures: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). EVLA is done under local anesthesia, while RFA requires general anesthesia. Both methods are minimally invasive and use heat to destroy the lining of your veins so that blood can’t flow through them anymore.
Read on for more infoMAtion about how to get insurance to pay for varicose vein removal varicose vein treatment cost with insurance AND how to get insurance to pay for varicose vein removal
How Much Does Vein Removal Cost
It’s not a secret that as we age, our veins tend to become more prominent. This is especially true on the face and legs. If you would like to make your skin appear more youthful and smooth, you may want to explore the world of vein removal. We’ll break down the different types of vein treatments out there and how much they cost.
Vein removal can have an upfront cost of anywhere from $300 to $1,500 or more.
The cost of vein removal depends on the procedure and your individual situation.
Vein removal with sclerotherapy (injection of medicine into the vein) costs about $325 for each 15-30 minute session and requires several sessions for optimal results.
Removing spider veins with sclerotherapy costs about $325 for each 15 to 30 minute session.
- Removing spider veins with sclerotherapy costs about $325 for each 15 to 30 minute session. This is the most common option and it takes most people two or three sessions before they’re satisfied.
- Vein removal with laser therapy costs about $350 per session, but you may need many more than one treatment to get the desired results.
- The cost of vein removal with surgery varies widely depending on where you live, your insurance coverage and whether or not your doctor offers financing options like CareCredit® at a lower interest rate. The average surgeon fee for varicose vein surgery is around $4,500 (though this number can go up or down based on factors such as hospital fees).
Laser treatment for spider veins ranges from $250 to $700 per session, depending on the size of the area treated.
Laser treatment for spider veins ranges from $250 to $700 per session, depending on the size of the area treated.
If you have many small patches of spider veins, it may be more cost-effective to have a series of treatments rather than undergo surgery. Treatments are typically quick and painless, although your doctor may give you an ice pack or heat pack to apply after each session to help reduce swelling or inflammation.
Insurance might cover some cases of varicose vein treatment, but not others.
It’s important to know that your insurance might cover some cases of varicose vein treatment, but not others. Many insurances will cover up to 80% of the cost of varicose vein treatment, although this coverage is usually limited to certain diagnostic tests and procedures. Some insurances will only cover vein treatment if you have a medical condition associated with yourvaricose veins, such as ulcerated skin or leg pain.
Vein removal can cost between $300 and up to around $1,000 or more.
Many insurance companies do not cover vein removal.
Vein removal can cost between $300 and up to around $1,000 or more. Vein removal can be expensive but it is worth it! If you need multiple treatments over a period of time, that will increase your overall costs significantly as well.
If you need to travel for treatment at a medical spa or doctor’s office outside your home city or state then consider looking into travel assistance programs offered by some providers. These programs are usually only available for patients who have completed initial consultations at their local office locations; however if this isn’t possible due to distance from where they live then these programs may be helpful when planning ahead for getting yourself there safely.*
The cost of vein removal can vary depending on a lot of factors. For example, some procedures are more expensive than others because they require the use of anesthesia or because they carry a higher risk for complications. The time it takes to perform a procedure may also factor into determining whether the patient gets charged per hour instead of per treatment session, which could affect how much money you end up spending on vein removal services.
Varicose Vein Treatment Cost With Insurance
Do you feel leg pain from varicose veins? Are you embarrassed to wear shorts or a bathing suit because of the varicose veins on your thighs? If so, treatment is available. But will your health insurance cover your varicose vein treatment?
Medical Necessity vs Cosmetic Appeal
Varicose veins can cause discomfort. This makes some people dread the thought of standing on their feet for a long time. Varicose veins can cause sores or ulcers to develop on legs and ankles. They can even promote development of blood clots. These veins are cause medical problems for the patient.
For others, varicose veins are more of a cosmetic embarrassment.
Are your varicose veins a threat to your good health, or are they simply unattractive? It’s important that you know the answer not only for your health but for medical insurance coverage as well.
• When varicose veins affect your health, treatment is a medical necessity. Medical insurance usually pays.
• Varicose veins are a cosmetic problem when they don’t threaten your health or well-being. Medical insurance won’t cover treatment.
To learn about your vein health, make an appointment to visit our office. Our highly skilled vein specialist will check your veins. He can develop an individualized treatment plan for you.
We even offer a free vascular screening. You will feel better and enjoy improved vascular health.
How do Health Insurance Companies Define a “Medical Necessity?”
Let’s start with what we know. Medical insurance will cover treatment of varicose veins when it’s a medical necessity. But here’s the catch. What one company considers a medical necessity, the next company may not.
Visit our web page on Varicose Veins to learn more. There we discuss the symptoms and treatments of varicose veins. You will learn the specific symptoms that usually make treatment a medical necessity.
The criteria most insurance companies base their coverage approval on are:
1. Annoying or Painful Symptoms
2. Identified Venous Reflux— Insurance companies want proof that a vein is not functioning. Documented venous reflux, when blood flows backwards in a vein, is cause for treatment. We diagnose it with ultrasound. However, ultrasound cannot show venous reflux in spider veins; they are too small. So, medical insurance doesn’t cover the treatment of spider veins. They may make an exception for bleeding spider veins.
3. A specified Time of Unsuccessful Conservative Treatment— Did you try an improved diet and exercise plan? Did you wear compression socks daily? Did you rest and elevate your legs each day? The insurance company will want to know this information. Each insurance company has their own requirements. Some insurance companies want you to wear compression socks for 12 weeks.
The important takeaway here is that you need to learn what your insurance company covers. A friend’s experience with a different insurance policy can be quite different. This can be true even if they use the same medical insurance company.\
How To Get Insurance To Pay For Varicose Vein Removal
Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Supplemental Plan Coverage
Medicare offers great news for treatment—that is, when the veins are causing a health issue.
This Federal health insurance requires that treatment will protect or improve your health. They may want to know that you already tried lifestyle changes. But ultimately you can count on Medicare’s financial support.
Some common vein treatments that Medicare covers include:
• Sclerotherapy
• Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
• Laser Vein Ablation
Medicare will usually cover 80% of these costs. It is useful to have a good supplemental insurance plan to cover the remaining 20% of costs.
Be aware that Medicare Advantage will attach many stipulations to its coverage. Coverage from Medicare Advantage differs from coverage by Medicare.
Medicare and More Varicose Vein Treatments
Varicose vein removal coverage is less straightforward. There are many costs to consider, including:
• Doctor’s Fees
• Facility Cost
• Anesthesia
• Method of Extraction
• Number of Medical Sessions Needed
Do private health insurance companies, such Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), United Healthcare (UHC) and Aetna, cover varicose vein treatments?
BCBS, UHC and Aetna are three major insurance companies that cover varicose vein treatments. But like Medicare, the companies only cover treatments of medical necessity. They won’t cover costs for a cosmetic procedure.
Each insurance company has its own criteria to meet. Once this occurs, they approve varicose vein treatment.
Contact your own insurance company to learn the specifics of your plan and policy.
Wonder if our office accepts your insurance? Then visit our website for a list of insurances we accept and to see if we are in network for your plan.
What about Varithena®, ClariVein®, and Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment (EVLT)?
These are three of the outpatient treatments option that we provide for varicose veins.
Will your medical insurance provide coverage?
Varithena is an FDA-approved sclerotherapy medication. Our doctor injects it into the varicose vein to displace the blood and cause the vein to collapse. Medicare and most private insurance companies cover this non-surgical treatment. But again, it must be a medical necessary necessity. And insurance wants to see you first tried conservative treatment options.
ClariVein is a tiny rotating catheter used in non-thermal treatment of varicose veins. Some private insurance companies and Medicare cover vein treatment using the ClariVein catheter.
EVLT uses laser heat to treat varicose veins. We give the patient local anesthesia. Guided by ultrasound, the laser closes off the vein. Our patient’s health insurance usually covers this procedure. Again, insurance companies want to see that we tried other treatment options first.