In any kind of medical procedure it’s important to ask questions. At VeinCare Experts we are here to answer any question you may have regarding treatment, insurance or about the procedure that’s indicated for you. If there’s a question you have that’s not covered here, send us an e-Mail or call for an appointment.

Will my treatments be covered by insurance?

Yes, if you meet certain criteria.

Most insurance carriers including Medicare have published guidelines regarding coverage for varicose veins and venous insufficiency treatments.

If you have symptoms (such as pain), or signs (such as skin changes or swelling) of chronic venous insufficiency, and an abnormal ultrasound test, then your treatments will most likely be covered. A trial of up to three months of conservative treatment including wearing prescription strength compression garments may be required.

If your treatment is purely cosmetic, it will not be covered by insurance or Medicare.  However, we do offer self pay flexible payment plans for those who do not meet medical necessity, or for those patients who do not have insurance coverage or have a high deductible plan.

Our office staff will advise you as to whether you meet criteria for coverage and VeinCare Experts will obtain pre-determination or pre-authorization when necessary. We can also give you an estimate of out-of-pocket costs based on co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles.

What insurance does VeinCare Experts accept?

VeinCare Experts participate in a variety of networks as well as Medicare and selected HMOs. We do not accept Medicaid.

In today’s dynamic insurance environment, changes are not unusual, so please check with your insurance carrier and our office prior to your appointment. Understanding your coverage prior to treatment will help ensure the most successful outcome.

Will I need to take time off of work?

Almost all of our treatment are minimally invasive and office based, and do not require time off. Advise your doctor if your work involves particularly strenuous activity.

Are there travel restrictions?

We recommend against flying or long car trips for several days after a treatment.

Will I be able to drive myself to and from treatments?

Yes, you may drive to and from treatments.

When can I bathe and/or shower?

After 24-36 hours, when you remove your initial compression wrap and stocking, showering is allowed. We advise against warm baths for several days after each treatment.

How dangerous are varicose veins?

In most cases, treatment is recommended for relief of symptoms, in order to allow for a more active lifestyle, and to prevent progression to more serious stages, not to mention the cosmetic benefits. Advances stages involving swelling, skin changes, clotting, or hemorrhage do pose a more serious health threat and treatment may be more pressing.

Are treatments painful?

Most treatments are performed using local anesthesia and involve only a few needle sticks or small punctures. Most patients report the procedures to be virtually painless.

Are treatments dangerous?

It is important to remember that any medical treatment carries a risk of complication. However, all of our treatments are minimally invasive and we have performed thousands of treatments over the years with an extraordinary safety record. Although very rare, complications that can occur will be discussed with you prior to the start of treatment. In addition, you will be asked to read and then sign a consent form so that you are aware of possible risks and your options.

How successful are treatments?

The most reliable measure of success is about 95%. This is for endovenous treatment of truncal veins (the most common) simply because it’s possible to measure the specific outcome after one treatment. Other measures such as improvement of symptoms and patient satisfaction are more difficult to quantify, but you can expect a very high level of success for your treatment plan.

What about compression stockings?

The use of compression stockings is an integral part of most treatment plans. If stockings relieve symptoms and no more definitive treatment is recommended or required, the long term stocking use may be the mainstay of treatment. With a combination of deep and superficial venous insufficiency, long term stocking usage may be suggested even after successful treatment of the superficial venous disorder.

More commonly, stockings are used as a trial prior to definitive treatment. This trial is often required for insurance coverage and the length of time required is variable depending on the insurance carrier.

For optimal results, stocking use is imperative for a period of time after most of the treatments and may vary from a few days to two weeks.

How do I know which treatment is right for me?

Your doctor will recommend an individual treatment plan based on the abnormality to be treated as the cause of your venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

Sometimes, more than one type of treatment may be an option. For example, Laser ablation, Radiofrequency ablation and Venaseal are each used to treat saphenous veins; sclerothrapy and phlebectomy are each used to treat branches or tributaries. Your doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each option and why one or the other may be more appropriate for your specific pattern of disease.

Will my doctor be personally treating me?

Yes, you will be under the personal care of your VeinCare Experts doctor and treatments are performed by your doctor. The only exception is sclerotherapy for spider veins which may be performed by our highly trained nurses.

Do varicose veins mean I have poor circulation?

Usually the term “poor circulation“ refers to the arterial circulation, or the blood getting to the tissues. While vein disorders may technically be a type of “poor circulation”, they do not have the same implications as arterial disorders.

What happens to the blood if my veins are closed down?

The treatments close down diseased veins which are not functioning properly and are putting more burden on the venous circulation. With diseased veins closed, the blood will be rerouted to healthier veins and improve the venous circulation.

Don’t I need all of my veins?

No, there are redundancies in the venous circulation. We are selectively treating those veins that are not doing their job properly. Segments of great saphenous vein are occasionally removed from the leg to be used for heart bypass surgery, and would usually not be suitable after treatment (many diseased saphenous veins would already be unsuitable). Discuss this issue with your doctor if it is a concern.

Why not just treat the veins I see and feel on the surface?

Sometimes this approach is appropriate. If the larger feeding veins are involved, they are often the source of the problem, and treating them first will result in more successful outcomes, better patient satisfaction and less chance of recurrence.

If you have more questions, concerns or would like to schedule a consult or appointment call VeinCare Experts at 847.259.8226, or send us an e-Mail.