If you are on Medicare and are considering having your varicose veins repaired, you’re probably wondering if your plan will cover the treatment. Medicare coverage varies by state and region, so the only way to know for sure if Medicare will cover your procedure is by having your doctor request a preauthorization; the outcome of the preauthorization will provide 100% certainty whether your treatment will be covered or not.
However, in cases where varicose veins repair is covered, patients must meet certain conditions in order for the treatment to be paid for by Medicare. Use the guidelines below to determine how likely it is that your Medicare plan will pay for your varicose veins repair.
Spider Veins
Spider vein treatment is generally considered cosmetic and is rarely covered by Medicare. Spider vein treatment is only covered if spider veins are exhibiting dangerous symptoms, such as ongoing and substantial bleeding.
Health Impacts
Your varicose vein repair will be more likely to be covered if you are experiencing health issues or degradation in your quality of life due to venous disease. Patients who are experiencing pain caused by venous disease are more likely to qualify for coverage. Additionally, patients who have external bleeding from their varicose veins or external sores that won’t heal caused by varicose vein hemorrhaging are likely to have treatments covered.
Alternative Treatments
Before your treatment is approved, you may have to spend three to six months using non-surgical therapies to try to improve your condition. Medicare may require you to wear compression stockings for a period of time, to exercise and lose weight, or to elevate your feet for a period of time every day. If your condition has not improved after several months of non-surgical therapies, Medicare may cover further treatments.
Size of Veins
Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to diagnose your venous disease and to measure the size of the damaged veins. The treatments Medicare will cover may depend in part on the size of the varicose veins to be repaired.
Finding a Doctor
If you’re considering varicose vein repair, the only certain way to know whether or not Medicare will cover your procedure is to visit a doctor. Phlebologists—specialists in treating venous disease—will have significant experience working with Medicare and should be able to let you know fairly quickly if your treatment is likely to be covered or not. A doctor’s office can also submit a preauthorization for the treatment that will let you know for sure whether or not Medicare coverage will be available.
To find a doctor in your area, use our doctor finder tool. Since several months of non-surgical treatments may be required before Medicare will approve varicose vein repair, it’s best to visit a doctor as soon as possible in order to get started on your path to venous disease recovery.