Varicose veins are conditions that impact millions of people. The condition refers to veins that have become enlarged and twisted and causes several unwanted symptoms, including discomfort and swelling. Luckily, there are several options to treat varicose veins. If you or a loved one deal with this condition, you have likely wondered if insurance will cover varicose vein treatment. Below, you will find this information and more on how to go about treating the condition.
Does Insurance Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?
For those who have varicose veins, it is important to consult with a medical professional to determine if varicose vein treatment is necessary. The type of treatment one undergoes for their varicose veins will depend on the severity of the condition. Whether your insurance covers this treatment will depend on your insurance coverage and the reason for your seeking treatment. There are certain circumstances where insurance is more likely to cover treatment, but it is important to check directly with your insurance provider to be sure.
Your insurance provider is more likely to cover varicose vein treatment if your varicose veins cause you pain or other unwanted symptoms that interfere with your daily life. Other reasons for coverage are if the varicose veins pose a risk for further medical complications or if there is a medical need. If conservative treatments to resolve these issues have not worked, your insurance provider may offer coverage for treatment.
In short, your insurance provider will typically provide coverage for your varicose veins if you can prove there is a medical need to do so and the treatment is not for cosmetic purposes.
How to Secure Insurance Coverage for Varicose Vein Treatment
Getting coverage for treatment for varicose veins can be difficult. To streamline the process, consider the following steps.
Schedule An Appointment
A cardiovascular specialist can assess your symptoms and determine if you have varicose veins. Diagnostic testing, including an ultrasound, may be necessary. A specialist can diagnose your condition and determine the right course of treatment for you. In many cases, they will attempt conservative treatments befire employing more invasive measures. Follow their instructions and be sure to get documentation noting the diagnosis and treatment plan after your appointment.
Follow The Treatment Plan
If your doctor suggests a conservative treatment approach, follow their instructions. Document what you did on a daily basis to demonstrate your commitment to the treatment plan. Ideally, this more simply treatment will work. If not, being able to prove your committment to the treatment plan will aid in your attempts to have insurance cover a procedure. If your doctor suggests a more aggressive treatment due to medical necessity, get documentation of their recommendation in writing.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
If your doctor recommends more consevative treatment of your varicose veins, you will need to contact your insurance provider to ask about receiving coverage. Still, before you contact your insurance provider, you should gather all of the related documentation, including a list of the symptoms that led you to make your first doctor’s appointment, the notes from each of your appointments, your diagnostic results, the treatment plan from your doctor, and their written recommendation that you pursue aggressive treatment for your varicose veins.
If you tried conservative treatments, be sure to provide evidence that they did not work. This information will strengthen your case for requesting varicose vein treatment coverage. It will also be neccessary for the pre-authorization process before you schedule your varicose vein treatment.
Varicose Vein Treatment
The most effective treatment for varicose veins varies from patient to patient. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may need one or a combination of treatment methods. Below, are the most effective treatment methods for varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy treatment involves the injection of a solution into small or medium-sized varicose veins. This solution causes the veins to collapse and fade over time.
Varithena
Varithena is a foam-based injectable used to close large and twisted varicose veins. The foam in this injectable collapses the vein and forces blood to be naturally redirected to healthier veins.
Microphlebectomy
Microphlebectomy is a surgical procedure that involves small incisions to remove varicose veins near the surface of the skin. This treatment is often used on very large veins. In the case of vein removal through microphlebectomy, the patient does not need to wait for injectables to take effect and recieves immediate results.
Radiofrequency Vein Ablation with the VNUS System
Radiofrequency vein ablation with the VNUS system is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes heat generated by radiofrequency to seal off varicose veins. This treatment effectively improves circulation by rerouting blood to healthier veins, which, in turn, leads to healthier blood flow.
Cardiovascular Specialist
If you are considering varicose vein treatment, contact the team at Beverly Hills Heart and Vascular Center today to schedule an appointment.