Varicose veins can be an extremely painful condition, and they can be quite unsightly as well. For people living in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area dealing with varicose veins, there are plenty of questions to ask. Does insurance cover treatment for varicose veins? Are my symptoms likely related to varicose veins or to some other cause? Where can I go for high-quality treatment?
We’ll answer all these questions in the sections below.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins is the term for a condition where veins become enlarged, usually accompanied by a twisting pattern. Most people find them unsightly, and the first symptom many people experience is simply noticing the varicose veins in the mirror. Varicose veins tend to be much more visible than healthy veins, rising to the surface in unusual patterns.
According to the
Mayo Clinic, aching pain and discomfort are common symptoms of varicose veins. Itching around a vein and cramping and swelling in the legs are other notable symptoms. Rare complications include painful ulcers, blood clots, and bleeding from burst veins.
Why Insurance Often Covers Varicose Vein Treatment
While you should always consult your specific policy, it’s more and more common for insurance providers to cover some varicose vein treatment. The deciding factor is usually whether the procedure is deemed cosmetic or medically necessary.
If you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, your provider will likely categorize the procedure as cosmetic. Most insurance plans do not cover most elective cosmetic procedures.
However, if you’re experiencing symptoms as described in the previous section, treatment for your varicose veins may be deemed medically necessary. If so, most insurance plans will cover the procedure.
Most insurers will want to establish medical necessity by reviewing a venous ultrasound. This painless procedure can show when veins are causing ulcers, backward blood flow, and other symptoms of varicose veins. Vein specialists like the Desert Vein Institute can perform a venous ultrasound in an office visit, and most insurance plans will cover the test.
The Amount Your Insurance Will Cover
If your varicose veins are causing symptoms and treatment is deemed medically necessary, there’s still a question about how much your insurance will cover. The circumstances here vary greatly, and we cannot provide an answer that’s accurate for all patients. The best way to determine the amount your insurance will cover is to review your policy documents and call your insurance company.
Most companies use a coinsurance model, with an 80/20 split being the most common. If this is the case for you, you can expect to pay for 20% of treatment costs, while your insurer pays for 80%. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need to meet your deductible first. If you haven’t had any medical care yet in the calendar year, your coinsurance may not yet be in effect.
Contact Us at Desert Vein Institute
For those in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area needing varicose vein treatment, the Desert Vein Institute is here to serve you.
Meet our vein physicians in Las Vegas, some of the most dedicated professionals in the region.
Not sure which procedure is right for you?
Learn more about our treatment options. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation, contact Desert Vein Institute today.
