What is the Cost of Varicose Vein Treatment?

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is “how much does vein treatment cost?” Many patients want to know whether insurance covers vein treatments and what the cost of vein treatment is without insurance. Unfortunately, other resources on the internet often leave you with more questions than answers.

Keep reading — we’re here to help!

Vein Treatment Cost – in Dollars

Vein treatment with modern, minimally invasive techniques may seem like an expensive process because of the many high-tech medical equipment used. Exact pricing is not possible to give because insurance covers the vast majority, if not all of the cost, of medical vein treatments. However, without insurance, vein treatment can cost anywhere between $425 and $2,000 per treatment depending on the technology used and type of vein treated. However, 97% of vein treatments are covered by insurance due to the medical benefits of vein treatment. Thus, the actual cost to patients is significantly less, if anything at all.

Varicose vein treatments are usually covered by the majority of insurance plans in recognition of varicose veins being an often-uncomfortable and potentially painful medical condition that impacts overall health and quality of life. Copays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses are determined by the plan that each patient brings with them into the medical office, and unfortunately cannot be controlled by the vein clinic. If someone has met their yearly deductible, their treatment would cost them less (or nothing at all), than it would for a patient who has not met their deductible. Likewise, copays vary drastically from plan to plan, which can lead to different final prices among patients, even those who receive the same treatment. There may also be coverage differences by state.

One important factor to confirm when choosing a vein doctor is that they are in-network with your insurance company. This means that they have a contract with a reduced price for their services, and you won’t be hit with any surprise bills. If your vein clinic is out-of-network, they could charge tens of thousands of dollars to your insurance for a single treatment.

At Metro Vein Centers, we accept over 200 insurance plans, and over 97% of our vein treatments are covered by insurance! Our patient care team is happy to help explain what to expect from your insurance coverage going into your first treatment and walk you through any costs associated with your custom vein treatment plan. We will consult directly with you and your insurance company to determine your coverage options, your copays, and any additional fees that will apply toward your yearly deductible.

Dr. Mason Mandy, M.D., DABVLM, shares why he thinks it’s important to communicate clearly throughout the vein care process. “We want our patients to feel informed going into their appointments, treatments, and even aftercare. That includes pricing and insurance. We don’t want anyone going into this feeling blindsided, as we hear so often from patients who have had negative medical experiences in the past at other vein clinics,” he says. “Spider veins are not usually covered by insurance because they’re largely considered to be a cosmetic issue, but there are cases of varicose vein removal being covered if the veins are symptomatic or causing pain, or if their presence on the surface of the skin can be tied to chronic venous insufficiency underneath. It’s a matter of discovering the source of the venous issue and communicating that to the patient.”

As a cosmetic treatment, spider vein removal with sclerotherapy can cost anywhere from $350–600 per session depending on the surface area covered, pigmentation of the veins, and more. Patients may need 1–3 sessions to achieve full results. The best source of information for a specific estimate of the number of sessions you may need is from your vein specialist and care team! “We’re able to conduct in-depth evaluations with the use of ultrasound technology that allow us to create patient-specific care plans. We’ll address areas of concern and lay out a treatment map. We’ll be able to give that information to the care team, so they can properly bill treatments to your insurance or alert you of any out of pocket expenses.

Vein Treatment Cost – in Time

Cost is not exclusive to financial considerations. Taking time off of work, travel, and recovery is important to consider. With advancements being made in minimally invasive varicose vein and spider vein treatments, the days of hospital stays and lengthy, painful recovery times are long gone! Because treatments are done directly in our vein clinic, most appointments can be completed in under 30 minutes. Patients are able to return to their day-to-day schedule without interruption, and patients are able to walk out and drive themselves home from their clinic visits unassisted!

Recovery times are quick and include a few days of wearing compression stockings, going on short walks, and avoiding heavy or strenuous activities. Other, more-invasive (and outdated) treatments like vein stripping require weeks of bed rest, downtime, and pain management medication. With modern technology paving new roads in medicine, vein treatment has never been gentler, easier, or less of a hassle from start to finish.

Different treatments come with different aftercare instructions, and waiting periods between treatments may be recommended by your care team.

Sclerotherapy: On average, sclerotherapy yields full results in 1–3 appointments, with a visible improvement as soon as the first visit. This can be used on both spider veins and smaller varicose veins. It is recommended to stay out of the sun for 3 weeks following sclerotherapy to avoid hyperpigmentation, so many patients opt to do sclerotherapy in the fall and winter months.

Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency Ablation is often used as the first step in deeper varicose vein treatment. One appointment, followed by a second treatment type, creates a dynamic and efficient care plan. Radiofrequency Ablation by itself can take on average 1–2 appointments, with full results settling in a few weeks after the clinic visit.

Excel V+ Laser: This laser spider vein treatment has a few variables to consider: how dark the pigment in the spider veins is, how much surface area their veins cover, and what part of the leg they are on. The average patient sees full results within 3 laser vein treatment sessions.

Microphlebectomy: This treatment requires only one appointment to complete, and results are immediate. The micro in microphlebectomy is in reference to the size of the incision and the portion of the unhealthy vein removed during treatment. This minimally invasive technique is popular because of the instant, visible results.

The Hidden Cost of Not Receiving Vein Treatment

Because vein disease is a condition that progresses if treatment is not pursued (or is postponed), avoiding the issue may have a hidden cost: your health. Common symptoms such as restless legs and itching may escalate to restless legs that keep you awake at night, swelling, pain when standing, burning sensations, and eventually ulcers and blood clots. These conditions can easily have a negative impact on your quality of life, work, time spent with family, and your independence. We always recommend patients take charge of their health and not delay vein treatment.

Advanced vein disease is known to impair mobility, with uncomfortable and painful symptoms keeping us off of our feet and worsening our circulation further. Deep vein thrombosis (DVTs) are blood clots in the deeper veins of legs that can migrate to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolisms, which can be fatal. In cases of late-stage venous insufficiency, the presence of DVTs and the appearance of open wounds called venous ulcers increase the risk of infection significantly.

The best time to pursue treatment is now. If you’re experiencing discomfort, come in for an evaluation and get a leg up on your symptoms. You do not have to wait until your quality of life has decreased to seek relief. No amount of pain is “normal.” Safeguarding your vein health protects mobility, sleep, and increases full-body health.

Ready to Get Started?

You deserve to live pain-free. You do not have to live with symptoms of vein disease. There are minimally invasive, gentle, and efficient vein treatment options available and covered by most insurance providers! We accept over 200 insurance plans in our New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, and Texas vein clinics. We’re more than happy to get you started on the road to healthy, happy legs. We offer free vein evaluations in all of our clinics — to schedule your consultation, or to discuss insurance coverage with our patient care team, give us a call at 866-353-4930. We’re here to help!