Does insurance cover treatment for varicose veins and spider veins?

Most health insurance company has their own criteria in determining if the procedure is medically necessary. During your consultation in our clinic, we will obtain a medical and surgical history and perform an ultrasound evaluation of both legs. With this information, we will determine which therapy is necessary to treat your vein disease. Our experienced staff will work with your insurance company to determine your benefits and obtain authorization required by most health insurance company. Vein treatments that are deemed cosmetic will not be paid by your health insurance. For further payment options, please talk to one of our staff.

Will the varicose veins/spider veins return?

When treated appropriately, spider veins should not return.  Many people have a genetic predisposition to develop spider and varicose veins and therefore may develop veins in other areas.  If there is a family history of varicose veins, the risk of recurrence is around 10-15%.


How soon after treatment may I return to work?

After undergoing sclerotherapy for spider veins, patients are usually advised to resume normal activity immediately, although vigorous activity is discouraged for twenty-four hours. Walking is encouraged because it increases the blood flow through other veins. Elevation of the legs is usually not recommended unless large veins have been treated.

After undergoing laser therapy for varicose veins, patients are usually advised to resume normal activity immediately after the procedure. Vigorous activity and weight lifting is discouraged for two to three weeks after the procedure.  Walking is encouraged because it increases the blood flow through other veins.  Elevation of the legs is usually not recommended unless large veins have been treated.


How soon after treatment may I travel on an airplane?

After undergoing sclerotherapy for spider veins, there are no restrictions related to traveling on an airplane.  After undergoing laser therapy for varicose veins, you should not travel in an airplane for 2 weeks due to the increased risk for developing blood clots in the deep veins of your legs.

Is the treatment painful?

Patients who have had sclerotherapy of spider veins have reported minimal discomfort. Some experience a slight to moderate burning sensation immediately after the injection, but this disappears within a few seconds. An ointment to soothe the skin and relieve the burning may be used, and a pressure bandage may be applied to prevent post-injection bleeding. Some physicians prefer elastic stockings; others use compression bandages.

Laser therapy for treatment of varicose veins is usually well tolerated.  In certain situations, mild pain may be experienced with the injection of the local anesthetic.  It is also not unusual to have a moderate amount of pain in the treated area for 6- 10 days after the procedure; however patients have reported adequate relief with over the counter anti inflammatory medications.