Sclerotherapy post ELA

I had endovenous laser ablation of saphenous vein, and now I'm told I need 3 sclerotherapy sessions. is this so? only one is covered by my insurance. I was told that only having 1 could be harmfull, is this true?

Answers from doctors (7)


More About Doctor Dr. Saeed Darbandi, MD

Published on Sep 20, 2021

Sclerotherapy injections are used to close the branches of the closed saphenous veins that were done by laser. They also can be used for the visible spider veins. A lot of the time, insurance will not cover these as they are considered cosmetic, however, if the vein that was reported is big enough and has enough reflux, the insurance most of the time will cover those but may not cover the others that do not meet the insurance requirements. In regards to it being harmful, it is not harmful however if you want complete results, all incompetent veins should be treated.

Answered by Dr. Saeed Darbandi, MD (View Profile)

Sclerotherapy injections are used to close the branches of the closed saphenous veins that were done by laser. They also can be used for the visible spider veins. A lot of the time, insurance will not cover these as they are considered cosmetic, however, if the vein that was reported is big enough and has enough reflux, the insurance most of the time will cover those but may not cover the others that do not meet the insurance requirements. In regards to it being harmful, it is not harmful however if you want complete results, all incompetent veins should be treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Sclerotherapy should no be harmful.
It is generally done the treat the leftover veins. It is usually not essential for pain but for the appearance of the remaining veins.
Michael D. Ingegno

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Sclerotherapy should no be harmful.
It is generally done the treat the leftover veins. It is usually not essential for pain but for the appearance of the remaining veins.
Michael D. Ingegno

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Sclerotherapy of tributary branches is very commonly done after endovenous laser treatment of the saphenous veins. The number of sclerotherapy sessions needed depends on the number of veins that need to be treated. It is a safe procedure for the most part, provided certain precautions are taken and it is done by someone who has expertise.
Dr Farhy

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Sclerotherapy of tributary branches is very commonly done after endovenous laser treatment of the saphenous veins. The number of sclerotherapy sessions needed depends on the number of veins that need to be treated. It is a safe procedure for the most part, provided certain precautions are taken and it is done by someone who has expertise.
Dr Farhy

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Jan 10, 2012

I can't think of a reason why one sclerotherapy session would be harmful but three sessions are safe.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

I can't think of a reason why one sclerotherapy session would be harmful but three sessions are safe.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Jan 10, 2012

No sclero is covered by insurance unless some funny coding is going on.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

No sclero is covered by insurance unless some funny coding is going on.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Jan 10, 2012

It is difficult to say without knowing your full history. Which vein/s are they injecting? If you are having this under ultrasound guidance for a refluxing perforator vein, it can take more than one treatment.
We usually get a pre-determination for 3 visits for coverage if needed. Often they won't be needed but your could check if your physician applied to insurance for 3. If they are injecting varicose veins, it is a different scenario. In our practices, being surgical based, we usually remove the varicosities in a cosmetic manner (microphlebectomy). This is usually done at the same time as the EVLA unless the veins are particularly large and is usually one treatment.

Norman N. Bein MD FACS RVT

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

It is difficult to say without knowing your full history. Which vein/s are they injecting? If you are having this under ultrasound guidance for a refluxing perforator vein, it can take more than one treatment.
We usually get a pre-determination for 3 visits for coverage if needed. Often they won't be needed but your could check if your physician applied to insurance for 3. If they are injecting varicose veins, it is a different scenario. In our practices, being surgical based, we usually remove the varicosities in a cosmetic manner (microphlebectomy). This is usually done at the same time as the EVLA unless the veins are particularly large and is usually one treatment.

Norman N. Bein MD FACS RVT

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 15, 2011

One sclerotherapy is not harmful and sclerotherapy usually requires multiple treatments. 3 treatments are about the average to eradicate most spider veins. You are lucky that even one is covered by insurance. Most insurance companies consider sclerotherapy to be cosmetic and will not cover it.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

One sclerotherapy is not harmful and sclerotherapy usually requires multiple treatments. 3 treatments are about the average to eradicate most spider veins. You are lucky that even one is covered by insurance. Most insurance companies consider sclerotherapy to be cosmetic and will not cover it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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