What You Need to Know About Varicose Veins and Insurance

Health insurance is often more complicated than it needs to be, leaving you guessing about what will or won’t be covered. You might then skip seeking treatment for something that seems cosmetic, which can put your health at risk.

Varicose veins, for example, seem like a cosmetic issue, but they are caused by vein disease, which is a true medical problem. For that reason, your visit and treatment is likely to be covered, depending on the specifics of your plan. Before you view our varicose vein treatment options, use this guide to learn about what insurance might cover.

Varicose Veins Symptoms

In most cases, varicose veins do not cause any noticeable symptoms. Instead, you might just eventually see large purple or blue veins that are bulging or twisted near the surface of your skin.

If you do develop symptoms, they may include:

• Aching deep in your legs
• Muscle cramps in your calf
• Burning, throbbing sensation
• Lower leg swelling

You might also notice that the veins feel itchy, especially after sitting or standing for a long period of time.

When you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek out treatment from a physician experienced in varicose vein treatment. They will determine the cause, assess the severity, and let you know what treatments are available.

Reasons Insurance Usually Covers Varicose Vein Treatment

Since varicose veins often get worse over time and can cause complications, insurance usually covers certain treatments. If they didn’t, then they would likely need to cover the care you need for any complications that arise.

Without treatment, it’s possible for the varicose veins to burst and start bleeding under the skin. Ulcers and blood clots are also potential risks of leaving the damaged veins untreated. All of these conditions require prompt medical attention, resulting in higher costs for the insurance company.

To avoid that and help keep you feeling your best, they will simply cover the varicose vein treatment to prevent ulcers, blood clots, and bleeding. This also helps prevent you from developing burning pain, muscle cramps, and reduced mobility as the damaged veins start causing noticeable symptoms.

Total Amount Health Insurance May Cover

Since health insurance in the United States is so complicated, it’s impossible to tell offhand exactly what your insurance will cover. Thankfully, you can call and ask your insurer about your coverage level and specifics, so you can better plan your care.

During that call, have the treatment information on hand so they can look it up in their system. If you have any alternatives in mind, get quotes for those, too, so you can make the best care decision for your health and finances.

You may also be able to have your doctor submit a pre-authorization form to receive a rundown of what your insurance plan cover and what you’re responsible for paying. This process can take a couple weeks to complete, so be prepared for a little bit of a wait before moving forward with your treatment of choice.

Schedule a Visit to Our Vein Clinic in Anchorage, Alaska

If you have varicose veins, don’t let worries about insurance get in the way of receiving the care you need. To find out fast, just reach out to your insurance company today to confirm that your visit will be covered. Then, just give us a call at 240-965-3915 to schedule an appointment at our clinic and meet Dr. Ives in Anchorage, AK.