Does Health Insurance Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

Does Health Insurance Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

Do you feel leg pain from varicose veins? Are you embarrassed to wear shorts or a bathing suit because of the varicose veins on your thighs? If so, treatment is available. But will your health insurance cover your varicose vein treatment?

Medical Necessity vs Cosmetic Appeal

Varicose veins can cause discomfort. This makes some people dread the thought of standing on their feet for a long time. Varicose veins can cause sores or ulcers to develop on legs and ankles. They can even promote development of blood clots. These veins are cause medical problems for the patient.

For others, varicose veins are more of a cosmetic embarrassment.

Are your varicose veins a threat to your good health, or are they simply unattractive? It’s important that you know the answer not only for your health but for medical insurance coverage as well.

• When varicose veins affect your health, treatment is a medical necessity. Medical insurance usually pays.

• Varicose veins are a cosmetic problem when they don’t threaten your health or well-being. Medical insurance won’t cover treatment.

To learn about your vein health, make an appointment to visit our office. Our highly skilled vein specialist will check your veins. He can develop an individualized treatment plan for you.

We even offer a free vascular screening. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. You will feel better and enjoy improved vascular health.

A stethoscope and surgical mask are on top of a few forms marked “Medical Insurance Claim Form.”

 

How do Health Insurance Companies Define a “Medical Necessity?”

Let’s start with what we know. Medical insurance will cover treatment of varicose veins when it’s a medical necessity. But here’s the catch. What one company considers a medical necessity, the next company may not.

Visit our web page on Varicose Veins to learn more. There we discuss the symptoms and treatments of varicose veins. You will learn the specific symptoms that usually make treatment a medical necessity.

The criteria most insurance companies base their coverage approval on are:

1. Annoying or Painful Symptoms

2. Identified Venous Reflux— Insurance companies want proof that a vein is not functioning. Documented venous reflux, when blood flows backwards in a vein, is cause for treatment. We diagnose it with ultrasound. However, ultrasound cannot show venous reflux in spider veins; they are too small. So, medical insurance doesn’t cover the treatment of spider veins. They may make an exception for bleeding spider veins.

3. A specified Time of Unsuccessful Conservative Treatment— Did you try an improved diet and exercise plan? Did you wear compression socks daily? Did you rest and elevate your legs each day? The insurance company will want to know this information. Each insurance company has their own requirements. Some insurance companies want you to wear compression socks for 12 weeks.

The important takeaway here is that you need to learn what your insurance company covers. A friend’s experience with a different insurance policy can be quite different. This can be true even if they use the same medical insurance company.

clipboard with Medicare form listing Medicare Parts A through D

 

Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Supplemental Plan Coverage

Medicare offers great news for treatment—that is, when the veins are causing a health issue.

This Federal health insurance requires that treatment will protect or improve your health. They may want to know that you already tried lifestyle changes. But ultimately you can count on Medicare’s financial support.

Some common vein treatments that Medicare covers include:

• Sclerotherapy
• Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy
• Laser Vein Ablation

Medicare will usually cover 80% of these costs. It is useful to have a good supplemental insurance plan to cover the remaining 20% of costs.

Be aware that Medicare Advantage will attach many stipulations to its coverage. Coverage from Medicare Advantage differs from coverage by Medicare.

Medicare and More Varicose Vein Treatments

Varicose vein removal coverage is less straightforward. There are many costs to consider, including:

• Doctor’s Fees
• Facility Cost
• Anesthesia
• Method of Extraction
• Number of Medical Sessions Needed

white paper cutout of a family of five flanked by red hearts and a stethoscope

 

Do private health insurance companies, such Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), United Healthcare (UHC) and Aetna, cover varicose vein treatments?

BCBS, UHC and Aetna are three major insurance companies that cover varicose vein treatments. But like Medicare, the companies only cover treatments of medical necessity. They won’t cover costs for a cosmetic procedure.

Each insurance company has its own criteria to meet. Once this occurs, they approve varicose vein treatment.

Contact your own insurance company to learn the specifics of your plan and policy.

Wonder if our office accepts your insurance? Then visit our website for a list of insurances we accept and to see if we are in network for your plan.

What about Varithena®, ClariVein®, and Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment (EVLT)?

These are three of the outpatient treatments option that we provide for varicose veins.

Will your medical insurance provide coverage?

Varithena is an FDA-approved sclerotherapy medication. Our doctor injects it into the varicose vein to displace the blood and cause the vein to collapse. Medicare and most private insurance companies cover this non-surgical treatment. But again, it must be a medical necessary necessity. And insurance wants to see you first tried conservative treatment options.

ClariVein is a tiny rotating catheter used in non-thermal treatment of varicose veins. Some private insurance companies and Medicare cover vein treatment using the ClariVein catheter.

EVLT uses laser heat to treat varicose veins. We give the patient local anesthesia. Guided by ultrasound, the laser closes off the vein. Our patient’s health insurance usually covers this procedure. Again, insurance companies want to see that we tried other treatment options first.

older grey-haired man wearing compression socks sitting on a rock outcropping

 

Let’s not forget about compression socks and stockings

Patients often wear compression socks as a conservative first-line treatment for varicose veins. Patients also need to wear them after vein procedures or surgery. But Medicare does not pay for these socks—even if the doctor writes a prescription.

Medicare Advantage plans may provide some coverage for compression socks or stockings under certain circumstances. This helps since compression socks can cost more than $100 with certain prescriptions.

Are you ready to take the first step?

Does treatment for your varicose veins qualify as a medical necessity? For the answer, contact us for an appointment at New Jersey Varicose Vein Center. You will enjoy visiting our state-of-the-art vein treatment facility. And you will leave with a clear idea of the medical coverage you can expect.

Chemical Peels for Acne Scars

Chemical Peels for Acne Scars

When it comes to acne, getting a pimple is just the tip of the iceberg. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to reduce or eliminate breakouts fast. Face washes, acne creams, and even medication can help. But for many, it’s the acne aftermath of scars causes concern. And it’s the reason why so many people are turning to chemical peels for acne scars.

Why Acne Scarring Occurs

When acne cysts are painfully inflamed and penetrate deeper skin layers, the risk for scarring increases. Scarring is a result of the healing response initiated by the immune system.

As acne nodules diminish, the immune system tells the body to produce more collagen. Collagen is a protein used to support skin firmness and overall health.

Too much or too little collagen determines the severity of acne scarring. For example, depressed or “caved-in” scars occur when there is not enough collagen to repair skin damage. Scars that appear raised above the surface of the skin indicate the release of too much collagen.

Acne-Scars

Raised acne scars are seen more frequently in people of color. Depressed acne scars predominantly affect lighter-skinned individuals.

Reducing the Appearance of ScarsOne of the most effective treatments to reduce the appearance of acne scars is a chemical peel. Chemical peels smooth away scar ridges and indentations. They safely and gently exfoliate the topmost layers of your skin.

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels use various concentrations of alpha-hydroxy, trichloroacetic, and/or glycolic acid. A licensed medical professional will apply the concentrate to areas with scarring. This helps eliminate damaged skin cells and speeds up regeneration. As the peel stimulates collagen production by causing a mild wound event, old skin cells are replaced by new, healthy skin cells.

Chemical-Peel

Chemical peels take about an hour to complete. After a peel, you should expect some redness like a sunburn. Mild chemical peels may be performed every two or three weeks. Minimize itching by keeping your skin hydrated or using a cold compress.

Severe acne scarring may require a “deep” chemical peel. This type of peel may use phenol to penetrate deeper into the skin. Communicate openly with your doctor to achieve the best results.

In addition to reducing acne scars, chemical peels smooth away fine lines, mild skin discolorations, and treat actinic keratosis.

A Great Time to Get Rid of Acne Scars

There are a lot of misconceptions about chemical peels. For some, that means it gets put on the back burner of things to do. But the number one myth about chemical peels is that you will have to hide in your home for days after due to redness and flaking. That’s not true! A chemical skin peel can be stress-free with very little downtime if any at all.

Chemical peels now consist of gentler but more effective solutions. Patients can even opt for a lunchtime peel that takes about 20 minutes. There is minimal redness, and you can resume normal activities directly following the procedure.

Before-After-Skin-Treatment

However, keep in mind that chemical peels formulated to reach deeper skin layers may cause more apparent redness and flaking.

Acne scars can easily be reduced or eliminated with safe and effective chemical peels. Call us today to schedule a free consultation appointment.

FALL CHEMICAL PEEL BONUS

Fall welcomes cooler temperatures and brisk breezes that bring a healthy, attractive glow to your cheeks. It’s also the time to wear cute, soft sweaters, leggings, and free-form hairstyles. While you sip your pumpkin spice, consider the following:

Chemicals peels rejuvenate your skin leaving your skin fresh and glowing. No more spending hours in the morning applying concealers, foundation, and powder. Just shower, get dressed, and be ready to greet the day.

The days are getting shorter and there is less sun. UV rays aren’t nearly as strong as they are during summer. You’ll still need to use sunscreen after your procedure, but you can go outside with less caution during fall versus summer.

The holiday season is upon us. Every year it sneaks right up. A chemical peel is a great way to get ready for the busy times during the season when makeup isn’t an option. For the gatherings you attend and everything between, a chemical peel can help revitalize your skin.

Get the look you want with a chemical peel this fall season at the NJVVC!

Understanding and Preventing Leg Blood Clots (DVT)

Understanding and Preventing Leg Blood Clots (DVT)

The body has a number of deep veins that circulate blood and return it back to the heart from both legs. However, this phenomenal system also makes legs vulnerable to deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

DVT is a blood clot in the leg. Suffering from a current or repeat blood clot in your leg is not always an instant life-threat, but it can be. In some cases, blood clots can cause the legs to swell or have chronic pain. In other cases, the clot can come loose and cause a lung blockage or cardiac arrest (heart attack).

Deep vein thrombosis isn’t something trivial to ignore, ever. It should be treated, reduced, monitored, and prevented from occurring again.

 

Where Do Blood Clots Come From?

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when the circulatory system is not able to move blood with enough pressure and regularity. Blood eventually begins to coagulate and clot if it is unable to move around.

A partial slug or clot can start to develop when the body hasn’t moved in a long time, such as in the case of a surgery, a bed-ridden condition, or a long trans-oceanic flight in a cramped seat. Blood clots can even occur in a few hours, as proven in the cases where they are seen in children spending hours playing video games cross-legged.

Where do Blood Clots Come From

Common Symptoms of a Blood Clot in the Leg

As blood flow gets blocked or limited, the affected area tends to swell. New blood continues to come in, pumped by the heart, but the returning amount to the heart is less. This creates a backflow or a large amount of pooling in the affected leg.

Leg-with-DVT-and-Varicose-Veins

This pooling effect can be visually noticed by discoloration or an increased amount of heat, similar to an infection or impact location from trauma.

However, many patients have experienced a leg blood clot without any noticeable symptoms. A blood clot’s ability to hide makes them especially dangerous.

Any unusual swelling of the leg, pain, discoloring, or a combination of the above, along with chest pains, dizziness, or inability to breathe, are all signs to receive medical care. Symptoms tend to vary from person to person, so trying to guess if a symptom is serious or not can be a very risky gamble.

Are Blood Clots Genetic?

If a patient’s family has a history of blood-clotting, then it’s quite possible that the patient could be affected as well, studies have proved this. Interestingly, many blood clots are due to lifestyle or changes in mobility.

Obesity or being significantly sedentary for long periods of time will contribute to clotting. If a person is lying down for an extended period due to a surgery or pregnancy, can also be a factor.

Medications that reduce blood pressure have been known to be problematic for clots as well.

Deep-Veins-of--the-Leg

How To Prevent Leg Blood Clots or DVT

The easiest and most powerful method of prevention for deep vein thrombosis is to move. Stand up every hour and move your legs around. This will increase circulation and keep blood from pooling. Sitting for extended periods without moving occasionally, such as in an office setting, should be avoided.

Try a convertible desk where you can stand or sit. This will give you options throughout the day. Many companies are now providing them as a low-cost health improvement feature.

If you travel often, walk around the plane frequently or make lots of road stops to walk around and stretch your legs. Again, the hourly changing of position and moving your legs can make a huge difference in preventing leg blood clots or DVT.

Losing weight can significantly increase your internal circulatory power and take a load off your system. Extra weight and fat work against the body, making it harder to move blood through the circulatory network and back up the veins. Getting rid of that excess burden makes it easier for your heart to work and for your circulatory system to be more effective.

A routine of regular exercise is beneficial for your overall health. Optimize your workout and alternate between activities so you’re not bored and static. Move and stretch your body with weight-lifting or aerobic exercise. You don’t need to be the next Olympian; daily exercise with mild effort goes a long way towards improving your blood flow.

How to Prevent Leg Blood Clots

 

Don’t Let a Blood Clot Risk Control Your Life

Again, leg blood clots or DVT can occur for a variety of reasons, not just one thing, like heredity. A person’s lifestyle tends to be a significant contributor to risk. Exercise, a healthy diet, and getting regular doctor checkups all help in preventing DVT and allow for early warning sign detection.

Varicose veins can be an early warning sign of further vein complication and deep vein thrombosis. If you have concerns about the veins in your legs, contact NJVVC for the highest level of patient care.

Support Your Vein Health While Working from Home

Support Your Vein Health While Working from Home

Working from home during quarantine is disruptive to life in more ways than one. Being stuck at home can affect your mental and physical health, including your veins.

Staying inside week after week means more sitting and a lack of mobility. Typically, there is not a ton of exercise involved with commuting to the office. But, at least, we had to walk in and out, upstairs and down, or go outside to take a break.

Even those minimal movements increase circulation throughout our legs and bodies. Being stuck at home, unfortunately, encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week, quickly adds up to months of time. An extended time of immobility is harmful to our bodies and increases the risk of varicose veins.

You Can’t Change the World, but You Can Improve Your Health

Fortunately, the effect of being stuck at home doesn’t take away our control. With some conscious effort, real progress towards maintaining health is achievable.

With a bit of movement throughout the day, our bodies can fend off the effect of hours sitting at the computer or on the couch.

While it’s easy to get lost in work when telecommuting, breaking up your day is important. Here’s how to create healthy habits for your mind, body, and of course those pesky varicose veins.

Frequent Movement is Critical to Vein Health

Walk, stretch, and move. Even simple exercises will aid in better circulation.

Your vein health is reliant on a functional circulatory system. Create habits in your daily routine that will get your blood pumping and keep your varicose veins in check.

Throw in an extra walk around the block when you take your dog out. Hike that trail that you’ve heard has beautiful views. Stay a little longer at the beach to walk some of the shoreline. Find ways to keep moving that you enjoy. That way taking a walk won’t feel like a chore.

Start off any exercise routine slowly. Just a few burpees, pushups and jumping jacks will get your heart rate up. Do a set in the morning, before lunch, and at the end of the workday. With just a few minutes each day your circulation will improve with greater results.

Put Your Feet Up

Circulation has a heck of a time moving upward and sitting all day only aggravates blood pooling. Elevating your legs throughout the day will help return your blood back to your heart. It will reduce the resistance of veins doing their work.

So, put your feet up whenever you can. You are home, so you might as well take advantage of the informal environment and help your veins.

Stretch Regularly

When you stretch, you increase your ability to move and reduce potential cramping. Remember to stretch your legs, back, arms, and stomach. Doing so will strengthen the veins throughout your body.

During those long zoom meetings, point your toes to the sky and then out straight. Completing this movement will flex your calf muscles and encourage blood flow.

Between tasks, get out of your seat and do a couple of lunges. You don’t need to do a lot of reps to reap the benefits. If you hate the idea of “working out” then just touch your toes and hold the stretch.

Don’t Wear Tight Clothes

Constricting or tight clothing while sitting for long periods of time only adds to circulation restriction. Avoid it. You’re at home, so be comfortable and take advantage of casual attire.

If you’re in a video conference, a dress shirt may be appropriate, but no one will see your pants. Make those stretchy and elastic waistband pants work for you! You’ll spend plenty of time in jeans and dress pants once we all get back to the office.

Watch What You Eat

Let’s face it, you are what you eat. And while at home it’s easy to get bored and overdo it. Practicing mindfulness while having snacks will help you stay aware of how much fuel you are adding to your fire.

If you like to nibble, because really who doesn’t, go for fruits and vegetables. If you choose these options, at least some of the time, you’ll have more energy and better circulation.

You may think that eating less takeout is the ticket to staying fit. But choosing foods that are low in sodium and fat will keep your weight and blood pressure within a normal range. Processed foods and sugary foods will only exacerbate vein health issues.

Drink Water Regularly

It’s easy to get into the habit of drinking that extra cup of coffee or reaching for a soda at home. But caffeinated drinks will only put more strain on your veins.

Drinking water and staying hydrated are key to helping your veins circulate blood. Becoming dehydrated will shrink and constrict your veins. And narrowing veins are less likely to pump blood correctly.

Drink lots of water and don’t worry about extra trips to the bathroom. Your trips back and forth will benefit your circulation too!

Don’t Put Off a Potential Problem

If you realize something’s off with your legs and veins, seek professional medical help. Don’t delay. Medical issues tend to grow; they typically don’t just fade away.

Serious vein problems can turn into heart problems involving constrictions, blood clots, or worse. Don’t take the risk of untreated circulatory issues. Take preventative steps to stay on top of your care.

Remember to Keep Your Mindset in the Right Place

Work may be more stressful and time-consuming right now. You may even feel that you don’t have what it takes to improve your situation. It can seem overwhelming, but don’t let it.

A healthy body starts with a healthy mind. By keeping a productive and positive outlook, even in the face of challenges, you can break down hurdles into smaller tasks.

Your fitness routine will not only keep you loose, flexible, and comfortable, but it will also relieve stress.

Working from home can seem to make the days all blend together. Remember that self-care is important now more than ever. Take the time to get your blood flowing and increase your vein health.

Don’t let quarantine get you stuck in a rut. You can keep your veins in good shape with a little bit of work and regular daily discipline. It’s easy, anyone can get started! Prevent negative effects on your long-term health and veins by keeping these tips in mind.

How Alcohol Contributes to Varicose Veins

How Alcohol Contributes to Varicose Veins

The human body sustains itself through the coordination of multiple organs, processes, glands, and veins. The circulatory system is our body’s “super-highway” essential to good health  as it delivers  nutrients and oxygen in and removes waste from the body. The body’s blood and the traffic system it uses to make its way around the body is essential to sustain the entire system. Without a blood supply, the body dies in a matter of minutes. And our health is intrinsically tied to how well our blood flows and moves through our system every minute, hour, and day. Smoking, poor diet, excessive alcohol, and inactivity makes any preexisting problem worse and affects the blood flow which can eventually lead to the development of varicose veins.

As many of us learned in high school biology, the human circulatory system consists of arteries, veins, and capillaries. What pushes the blood through this network is the pressure created by the pumping of the heart. The system acts as a closed-loop; when blood is sent out, it eventually returns back to the heart to be pumped out again. The only part of the system not integrated with the circulatory system are the bones, which are the factory where blood cells are actually first created.

Over time, our age and lifestyle affect the efficiency of our individual systems. Cholesterol builds up from diet and affects the pressure and flow of blood in veins. Age wears down our overall body system, and things begin to break from wear and tear. If you are overweight, this can also increase pressure on the system beyond normal conditions. Alcohol consumption contributes to certain vein conditions too. Excessive drinking affects the circulatory system and every major organ in the body. Alcohol is more harmful when the circulatory system has already been compromised by vein diseases.

Cause and Effect of Alcohol on Veins

The heavy consumption of alcohol puts an additional strain on the body by increasing the heart rate. Among other things, the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the blood by pumping more of it faster.  This is because alcohol actually kills red blood cells that are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout the body.  This gets particularly hard for the lower extremities in the legs and feet where the circulatory system has to fight gravity to push the blood back up to the heart. Over time, this increased strain on the circulatory system can contribute to varicose veins in the legs.

It affects the body’s vein network indirectly as well. High alcohol overwhelms the liver, and it can’t filter waste out of the blood efficiently. That makes the blood thicker over time, and it becomes harder to push through the circulatory system. This adds strain and pressure that causes damage to the veins. Also, when the liver is overburdened with excessive alcohol consumption, the toxins that would otherwise be filtered out of your bloodstream begin to degrade the interior surface of the veins as well.

A Point of Clarification

It’s important to understand that drinking alcohol alone doesn’t automatically result in varicose veins. If a person is predisposed to develop the condition, it will happen regardless of whether the person drinks regularly or not. However, alcohol makes it more likely that varicose veins will develop in a person over time. Regular alcohol consumption enhances the impact of other problems as well. It can add to extra weight, increase pressure on already existing heart problems, or adds damage to a struggling liver.

Getting Help from Experts on Veins

At The New Jersey Vein and Vascular Center, located in Morris County, patients benefit from the expertise of vein specialists, Dr. Stuart Miller. At the NJVVC, Dr. Miller and his team provide state of the art care in vein treatment and recovery, to all kinds of vascular cases. Every patient undergoes a precise treatment plan for their individual need and vein condition, not a generic, one-size-fits-all treatment.

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