If you have embarrassing, unsightly veins on your legs, you’ve probably Googled ways to get rid of them on your own. From mud packs, compression stockings and massage to exercise, elevation and anti-inflammatory foods, there are a lot of ideas out there.
The problem with home remedies (besides the fact that some of them are plain weird) is there is no medical diagnosis involved. And sometimes, varicose veins can be more than just a cosmetic concern.
Fear of treatment costs keep many sufferers out of their doctors’ offices but this won’t help if there is an underlying, undiagnosed vein condition.
So if you are one of the estimated 20 to 25 million Americans who have varicose veins and have been putting off seeking medical treatment due to concerns about cost, you might be happy to discover that insurance helps pay for these treatments more frequently than you might realize.
Spider Veins vs Varicose Veins
A common mistake is assuming all veins are a cosmetic concern. This is often the case with spider veins, clusters of superficial veins that can be seen on the skin’s surface. But varicose veins, the protruding, swollen veins can be a sign of an underlying vein condition. And if a condition can be identified and diagnosed, you are more likely to qualify for insurance coverage for at least a portion of your vein treatment.
Have a Vein Assessment
Nancy Edland is Practice Administrator at Lam Vascular and Associates. She fields many (many!) questions about whether or not insurance covers the cost of vein treatment.
“Many of the top carriers do cover at least a portion of the cost of treatment if there is a medical condition such as venous reflux causing the varicose veins,” she said. “But I tell everyone who calls in to schedule a vein assessment because even if their policy excludes vein treatment, they can still be assessed and have their diagnostics and assessment under the medical portion of their policy coverage.”
How are Varicose Veins Treated?
Varicose veins are commonly treated using one of the following proven treatment options:
Venefit Targeted Endovenous Therapy – an innovative treatment that uses radiofrequency ablation. During this minimally invasive procedure, Dallas vascular surgeons Russell Lam, MD, or Cassidy Duran, MD, will insert a catheter through a tiny incision and maneuver it to the damaged area of the vein. Radiofrequency waves will heat, collapse and seal the vein, permanently blocking the blood flow and rerouting the blood flow to adjacent healthy veins. This technique offers faster recovery, with less discomfort, bruising and complications.
Phlebectomy – a varicose vein removal procedure in which several small incisions are created in the skin through which the varicose vein is removed. In the majority of cases, stitches are not required. Phlebectomy is an outpatient procedure that can be performed as a day surgery under light sedation with local anesthesia.
High Ligation and Stripping of Varicose Veins – Vein ligation and stripping is a minor procedure used to remove a damaged vein as well as prevent complications from vein damage. An incision is made beneath the vein, then a flexible device is threaded through the vein and into the incision, which is used to grasp and remove the vein.
Depending on the severity of your particular condition, your Lam Vascular surgeon will help you determine which procedure is best for you.
If you are suffering from varicose veins, click here to contact us today. You don’t have to just live with it. There is help!
The information contained in this article is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Patient results will vary based on risk factors, age, disease and medical history and are not guaranteed in any way.
