Could some or all of the cost be covered?
For the majority of patients, spider veins are considered cosmetic. As such, insurance generally does not cover the treatment costs. While some offices are willing to embellish a patient's chart to try to get coverage, we do not practice that type of deception. It has been our experience, that for small incompetent veins, if they are easily visualized and do not require ultrasound to insert the needle, then this is not covered by insurance.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
All insurance companies have different criteria when it comes to covering sclerotherapy. Most insurance companies take into consideration the size of the vein being treated, how symptomatic the patients legs are and if the symptoms generate some interference with the patients daily activities, and weather or not the patient has tried a conservative method to relieve their symptoms (i.e. compression stockings, exercise, leg elevation) for several months. A few insurance companies also require the veins be visible to the naked eye and bulging. Insurance companies do not cover sclerotherapy of spider veins or telangiectatic veins, as these are considered cosmetic treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
In general, if done for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not cover sclerotherapy. If a medical indication exists, and insurance approves it, then it may be covered. I would recommend you speck with your vein specialist's office before starting treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It depends on what type of vein is being treated: bigger veins that are symptomatic might be covered by an insurance company and smaller asymptomatic spider veins generally are not.
It also depends on the individual benefits of the insurance plan you have. Policies regarding vary depending on the insurance company.
Finally, sometimes it depends on whether the sclerotherapy treatment is done as part of a larger treatment plan that includes treatment of the saphenous vein. Our experience has been that insurance does not cover any sclerotherapy unless it is completed following an endovenous laser procedure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If done for cosmetic reasons the answer is usually no. If done for medical reasons, usually it is.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
For the most part surface sclerotherapy ie: for speders veins is not covered by insurance companies. However, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for perforators and tributaries branches is covered by many insurances.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Cosmetic sclerotherapy is not covered by insurance. If there are symptoms and reflux of the major superficial veins then most insurance will cover treatment.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Generally sclerotherapy is done for spiderveins, and this is considered cosmetic by most insurance, and therefor this is not covered. Occasionally utrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for deeper veins, which are a source of painful varicose is covered by insurance however.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
This depends on your diagnosis and insurance carrier.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The only time sclerotherapy is considered medically necessary when used to treat spider veins is when the veins hemorrhage, or spontaneously bleed. Sclerotherapy is usually considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore not covered by insurance.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Our experience has been that insurance does not cover any sclerotherapy unless it is completed following an endovenous laser procedure. The reality is that a patient must have large vein disease to get insurance coverage. Surface treatments for spider veins are typically not covered.
Published on Jul 11, 2012