Our patients often ask about health insurance coverage for varicose vein treatment. Many people who visit our Somers Point, New Jersey office do not initially realize that insurance companies will often cover the cost of varicose vein treatment. While varicose veins might be unsightly, they actually are far more than just a cosmetic problem. It is for that reason that treatment for varicose veins and venous disease is often covered by health insurance.
In determining insurance coverage, it basically comes down to one factor: whether or not the treatment is a medical necessity. This usually goes hand-in-hand with a diagnosis of venous reflux disease or venous insufficiency, which are recognized medial conditions. An experienced vein specialist, can determine the cause of your varicose veins (which relates to coverage) through a series of tests, like venous duplex ultrasonography testing.
In general terms, varicose veins that are not causing either physical symptoms or findings of advanced chronic venous insufficiency, do not necessarily require treatment. However, if symptoms develop, or if an individual desires cosmetic improvement, various treatment options exist. The best treatment for a particular individual will depend upon his or her specific situation. Conservative treatment, such as compression therapy, exercise and weight loss may be helpful for some individuals. When these measures do not provide improvement, there are minimally invasive treatments that are available that are often covered by health insurance.
Physical symptoms of venous reflux disease can range from slight discomfort to chronic pain and fatigue. Specifically, many suffer from pain, throbbing, aching, swelling, fatigue and heaviness. It can begin in the morning and worsen as the day goes on. In more extreme cases, the skin in the legs can become damaged, resulting in dark pigmentation and scarring. In more severe cases, venous leg ulcers can develop. These are a more serious condition that indicates very advanced venous disease.
At Shore Vascular & Vein Center, our clinical and administrative staff work closely with all of the health insurance companies with which we participate. Our team will contact your insurance company, provide them with all of the necessary information, work with them to determine whether your care is covered, and obtain any needed pre-certification. Then, before proceeding with any treatments, they’ll let you know whether or not you’ll be covered and will answer any coverage questions you may have.
We participate with most major health insurance networks. If your insurance is one of the few we don’t partner with, we would be pleased to see you on an “out-of-network” basis. Many insurance plans provide benefits for out-of-network care, and we would be more than happy to provide you with more information on that.
Shore Vascular & Vein Center, serving Atlantic County, Cape May County and Ocean County, NJ is the region’s premiere vascular and vein care center. If you are experiencing the appearance or discomfort of varicose veins or have any questions regarding insurance coverage or care, our Board Certified Vascular technicians can help. For more information, call us at (609) 927-VEIN (8346) or visit our website for more information.
