Varicose veins can be more than unsightly – they can also become painful.
Despite the discomfort, many patients still hesitate to seek vein treatment due to the perceived cost involved with the procedure. If you have been putting of vein treatment because you were concerned about the expense, we have good news for you. In many cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of vein procedures as long as certain criteria are met.
Varicose Vein Symptoms
One of the first criteria to qualify for coverage of your vein treatment is having physical symptoms linked to your varicose veins. Common symptoms include:
- Painful, aching legs, especially at the end of the day
- Leg cramping or restless leg syndrome
- Heaviness or extreme fatigue in the legs
- Itching or burning skin around the area of the swollen vessels
- Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
- Changes to the color or texture of the skin
- Formation of open sores on the ankle, known as venous ulcers
Varicose Vein Diagnosis
If you are suffering symptomatic varicose veins, the next step is to get an evaluation to determine whether an underlying medical condition is causing your swollen vessels and their symptoms. Many varicose veins are caused by a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. This condition occurs when tiny valves inside the veins wear out or become damaged over time, leading to blood pooling inside the vessel. The pressure inside the vessel increases and varicosity occurs.
A non-invasive ultrasound examination can determine whether CVI is present. This procedure uses sound waves to show the movement of blood inside the vessels. The examination is typically covered by insurance and if CVI is diagnosed, treatment for the varicose veins may be covered as well.
Varicose Vein Symptomatic Treatment
Once your varicose veins are properly diagnosed, your insurance company may require you to try conservative treatment before moving to a procedure to completely eliminate your varicose veins. This usually involves wearing compression stockings, special socks that offer gradient pressure that is tighter at the foot and loosens as the sock moves up the leg. These stockings improve blood flow in the lower legs, which can reduce painful symptoms and prevent the swollen vessels from worsening. However, they will not reverse veins that have already become varicose.
Other Vein Treatments
After a prescribed period of time using conservative treatment like compression stockings, insurance companies are often willing to cover the cost of other types of vein treatments. Minimally-invasive procedures completely eliminate varicose veins today without discomfort or downtime.
Most insurance companies will cover procedures which uses radiofrequency energy to seal veins closed, or microphlebectomy, which removes the vessel in small sections from the leg. Injectable treatments like sclerotherapy may also be included in your insurance coverage. We offer a variety of treatment options so that we can tailor your procedure to your specific needs and condition.
If you are suffering the pain and embarrassment of varicose veins, don’t put off treatment any longer. The staff at Vein Specialists of the Carolinas can help you determine whether you have insurance coverage for your procedure and even file your claim for you.
Contact our office today in Charlotte or Gastonia.
“All We Do Is Veins, All Day Every Day.”