In this blog, we will discuss treatment options for those suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also known as varicose vein disease, as well as varicose vein treatment cost, the typical price range associated with treatment, as well as insurance and payment options.
Enough is enough – time to seek treatment for your vein disease
After years of feeling discomfort, seeing your legs swell at the end of the day, and loss of sleep due to the restlessness you feel at night, you decide it’s time to go see a vein specialist. Congratulations on taking the first step towards healthy legs! The diagnosis and treatment options available today are light years ahead of those offered a few decades ago, when your parents or grandparents found themselves suffering from vein disease.
How does the circulatory system work?
First, a quick recap on the circulatory system. The purpose of the arterial system is to bring clean, oxygenated blood to the body’s organs and limbs. The purpose of the venous system is to return the blood which now contains waste products from the body and return them to the heart and lungs to begin the cycle again. Venous blood travels against gravity in the legs using one-way valves; however, when those valves fail, blood pools in the veins, causing them to stretch and eventually, become varicose veins.
How does the superficial venous system work?
In a previous post, we discussed treatment options for large vein disease (or LVD), and compared the superficial venous system to a tree. In this example, the trunk of the tree is the large, truncal veins (veins that are named, such as the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein, and accessory veins). The branches of the tree are the tributary varicose veins coming off the trunk, and the leaves of the tree are the spider and reticular veins that you can see on the surface of your skin. The best treatment approach begins with a thorough ultrasound scan, performed by a credentialed, trained sonographer that specializes in venous disease. This exam demonstrates which parts of the “tree” are affected so that veins are treated in a “source to course” fashion. If the tree trunk is affected, it is treated first, followed by the branches, and then the leaves.
Individualized approach to varicose vein treatment
Several varicose vein treatment options are available, based on the extent of your vein disease. Everyone’s process, and therefore treatment approach, is unique so it is best to visit a vein clinic to obtain your diagnosis, followed by your individualized treatment plan. At USA Vein Clinics , a team of highly trained specialists will walk you through your diagnosis, treatment plan, and cost of your journey to healthy legs.
Varicose vein treatment cost: how much can I expect to pay?
As mentioned above, several treatment options are available based on the extent of your vein disease – i.e. which veins are affected. The cost of varicose vein treatment will vary based on your individual treatment plan determined by your specialist. Below you will find typical costs associated with the most common vein treatments we offer at USA Vein Clinics.
Treatment options and typical cost to treat saphenous veins
Most commonly, the source of varicose vein disease is one or more saphenous veins. In this case, the most common treatment options are thermal or adhesive ablation. These are sterile procedures in which a method (either heat = thermal, or glue = adhesive) is used to shut down the vein, causing it to collapse onto itself, therefore diverting the blood to other, healthy veins.
- Thermal Ablation: Endovenous LASER Ablation and Radiofrequency Ablation
- Adhesive Ablation: Cyanoacrylate (brand name VenasealTM)
These procedures are performed under ultrasound guidance by trained physicians. Most commonly, one treatment is performed per diseased vein with excellent outcomes.
Cost: These types of procedures are the most expensive but are also the ones most commonly covered by insurance.
Treatment options and typical cost to treat varicose veins
Once the saphenous veins are closed, the next step is to treat the branches of the tree, also known as varicose veins. These clean procedures utilize a medication (called a sclerosant) injected into the veins which irritates the veins, causing them to spasm, and shut down, diverting the blood into normal, healthy veins. This procedure is called sclerotherapy.
These procedures are performed under ultrasound guidance by highly trained physicians and advanced practice providers. Most patients require 1-3 sessions per leg, depending on the severity and progression of vein disease as a limited volume of medication can be used per session.
Cost: These treatments are generally less expensive than the ablation procedures described above and are often covered by insurance.
Treatment options and typical cost to treat spider veins, also known as telangiectasias and reticular veins
Once the trunk and branches are closed, your clinical team can then focus on treatment of your spider and reticular veins. This also involves injection of a medication (sclerosant) into a diseased vein which causes the vein to spasm, shut down, and the blood diverts to normal, healthy veins.
These procedures are performed by highly trained registered nurses, advanced practice providers, or physicians. Most patients require 1-3 sessions per leg, depending on the severity and progression of vein disease as a limited volume of medication can be used per session.
Cost: Average cost of these treatments varies by individual diagnosis and insurance coverage.
Payment options for varicose vein treatment
This journey will include a specific cost estimate, based on the vein treatment options selected for you by your provider, taking into account your insurance plan, deductible, and out of pocket thresholds. Most treatment options available to you are covered by most insurance plans, based on your symptoms and which portions of your venous system are affected.
There are many ways to pay, from insurance coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, to Care Credit – we are here to help you feel better and provide peace of mind with regards to payments for vein treatments.
- CareCredit® is a credit card made for out-of-pocket healthcare costs when insurance doesn’t fully cover treatments.
- FSA and HSA are other options that may allow for reimbursement of health-related treatments and expenses, including those for vein disorders. However, always check with your plan’s administrator for options.
Schedule a consultation today to start feeling relief. Learn the extent of your vein disease, receive a personalized treatment plan, and detailed cost estimate. Feel confident in your vein treatment journey with the leading vein experts in America – USA Vein Clinics!
