If you are ready to treat your varicose or spider veins, you probably have a lot of questions. One that is bound to come up is how much your treatment will cost. The answer to that question depends on a few things, including insurance coverage. Read on to learn what you can expect and some strategies for managing treatment costs.
The cost of vein treatment can vary widely depending on the type of procedure and your area of the country. At a minimum, the costs will include the doctor’s fee and compression stockings for aftercare. If you are having surgery, the costs may also include anesthesia, the surgery center’s fee, prescription medicines, and medical tests. Medical tests include things like the ultrasound test your doctor uses to look at your circulation.
Most insurance plans cover a visit to a specialist to evaluate a vein problem. Treatment coverage will depend on whether the treatment is medically necessary. Spider vein treatments are usually not covered because they are cosmetic procedures and not medically necessary. But most plans provide coverage for treating symptomatic varicose veins. Symptoms of varicose veins can include:
- Achiness, soreness or cramping
- Burning, tingling or itching
- Skin discoloration or changes in texture
- Skin ulcers
- Throbbing
- Tiredness or heaviness in the legs
The amount of coverage for varicose vein treatment varies and may depend on the specific procedure. Your plan may only cover part of the cost for some procedures and more of the cost for others. If your doctor is recommending a certain treatment, contact your insurance plan and find out what your coverage is. Be sure to ask about related procedures for which your plan may offer more coverage.
The amount you will pay out-of-pocket for vein treatment depends on insurance coverage. Even if a procedure is covered, you will likely be responsible for a portion of the cost. Ask your insurance provider about your costs—copays and deductibles—for a covered procedure.
For spider veins, it’s likely that you will be responsible for all of the costs. Again, this varies widely depending on the procedure and your geographic location. The U.S. national average for spider vein treatment with sclerotherapy is about $350 per session. Keep in mind that you may need multiple sessions. Other costs for spider vein treatment are minimal and may only include buying compression stockings for aftercare.
If the cost of treating your spider veins is too high, consider asking your doctor for a payment plan. Many offices are willing to work with you to break your payment into chunks. This may ease the burden of paying out of pocket for your care. Keep in mind that “you get what you pay for” can be true in a lot of situations. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest doctor. Your satisfaction with the results is as important as your cost. So you need to consider each doctor’s experience, expertise, and patient satisfaction. You can find all this information on Healthgrades.com.
