WHAT TO EXPECT
Initial Consultation:
There is a charge for the initial consultation, which consists of a thorough venous history, physical and screening ultrasound examination, all accomplished by the doctor, to check for venous abnormalities. This fee will be billed to your insurance if applicable. At the end of this one hour evaluation, you will have an excellent understanding of the scope of your venous disorder, any further workup required, whether your venous disorder is "medical" (likely covered by insurance) or "cosmetic" (not covered by insurance) and the potential treatments modalities. To do this in a meaningful way, it takes the physician's time, requires a thorough understanding of venous disorders and their treatment, and therefore is not complimentary or free.
Medically Indicated Treatment:
a.) Dispense Compression Stockings:
Most insurance companies require a specific period of conservative treatment which includes a trial of compression stockings. You will be measured, fitted and dispensed prescription-strength compression stockings to wear. These stockings may relieve symptoms.
b) Duplex Ultrasound Testing:
This is a noninvasive, painless procedure which uses harmless ultrasound waves (the same as used in pregnancy studies) to investigate and outline the venous system of your legs. This study will not only locate and demonstrate the pathology causing your superficial system’s (visible) venous disease, but it will also scan the deep system for old or current disease which may have relevance to the proposed treatment.
The scan will be accomplished by an experienced, Registered Vascular Technician, and will take place in our office. The procedure will take approximately 1 ½ hours. It requires no premedication, and will not have any effect on your ability to drive home, or to work immediately afterwards.
c) Discussion:
The doctor will review your ultrasound study and will then determine and outline for you a treatment plan designed to address your specific venous abnormalities.
Cosmetic Treatment:
In the absence of the clinical indications or symptoms required to meet insurance criteria for coverage, treatment is deemed “Cosmetic” and therefore not covered by insurance.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
If your symptoms and clinical indications meet the specific medical criteria for your insurance we will create a treatment plan that ensures all guidelines are met for insurance coverage.
Our office will obtain coverage criteria and secure approval from your insurance for all proposed treatments.
FINANCIAL
We are contracted with Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Coastal, CHP, Medicare, United Healthcare as well as several others. Our office will handle all insurance billing. We can review your insurance benefits and provide you with an estimate of your anticipated patient balance after insurance reimbursement.
For those patients without health insurance we can also provide a cost estimate for an entire treatment plan.
Payment arrangements may be set up on a case by case basis.
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