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Should You Wear Compression Socks Even if You Don't Have Varicose Veins?
No matter your level of leg discomfort, you can likely benefit from simple — and surprisingly stylish — compression socks. Compression
As the end of the year approaches, the time is now to use your health spending account for varicose vein and other vein disease care or risk losing the funds permanently.
Employers offer a flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) to help employees save on taxes and pay for qualified medical expenses. These employees must understand the year-end limitations to receive the maximum medical benefit they are eligible for— without leaving hard-earned money on the table.
Best advice: Check with your plan administrator now to see if you have a "use it or lose it" type of plan.
FSAs and HSAs are tools you can use to help pay for medical expenses. These reimbursable expenses cover a variety of health-related treatments, including those for the treatment of vein disorders.
Both FSAs and HSAs allow employees to use their pretax income to save for qualified medical expenses, such as treatment of varicose veins (if deemed medically necessary). FSAs are set up and managed by the employer, are less flexible, and can expire at the end of the year. In contrast, HSAs are owned by the employee. Funds can be rolled over to be used to pay for future qualified medical expenses.
In other words, if you have an FSA, your hard-earned contributions are about to expire, and any money left unused during this calendar year will be forfeited.
Unfortunately, many people suffering from vein disease delay seeking vein care because they misunderstand how safe and effective modern vascular care is. Stories passed down from mothers and grandmothers about old-fashioned vein care have turned them off to seeking needed treatment for debilitating vein issues. Luckily, modern vein treatment is minimally invasive and performed in-office. Patients can return to work and normal activity almost immediately.
Since FSA funds must be used in the current plan year, those suffering from symptoms of vein disease should seek a consultation with a vein expert immediately.
Symptoms include:
Because vein treatment is a multi-step process, it can take days, if not weeks, to complete. A delay could put FSA account holders dangerously close to the year-end FSA deadline and the expiration of funds.
During the initial consultation at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), you will have a thorough health history taken and a detailed ultrasound of your legs. Based on these results, your vein physician will develop a treatment plan. CVR will assist you with insurance and other coverage to help pay for these treatments. Only once the details are worked out will treatment begin.
IRS guidelines stipulate that a medical procedure may be reimbursable if it “promotes the proper function of the body or prevents or treats an illness or disease.” A certification of medical necessity is required before reimbursement can be made. Therefore, a consultation is necessary as soon as possible to ensure your vein treatment is eligible.
Compression socks rated at 30-40 mmHg or above that are used to treat a medical condition (venous insufficiency) are eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). A letter of medical necessity, doctor's directive, or prescription is required.
Often, insurance companies require 30 to 60-day compression therapy before covering vein treatment. This means the time is NOW for a consultation to arrange treatment before the year is out.
Whether you are a new patient seeking consultation for varicose veins or a patient who has had a consultation and received a treatment recommendation earlier in the year, there is still time to come in for care. Call 240-965-3915 or visit centerforvein.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.
No matter your level of leg discomfort, you can likely benefit from simple — and surprisingly stylish — compression socks. Compression
