This
is a question we get at the Vein Healthcare Center all the time. Most healthcare providers would agree that
if a patient is having pain and is unable to perform his or her work due to
varicose veins, then it is medically
necessary.
But all factors must be weighed
when drawing a line between medical and “simply cosmetic,” not the least of
which is restoring patients’
confidence and overall well-being. Even if a patient isn’t experiencing
physical pain – but won’t swim in a pool or wear shorts to the beach because
he’s ashamed of varicose veins – her quality of life is markedly diminished.
Additionally, it is common for
venous disorders to be undiagnosed or undertreated. It’s important to remember
that varicose veins are a symptom of early stage venous disease,
and if left untreated could lead to larger medical issues.
From the perspective of insurance
companies the difference between “cosmetic” and “medical” may be whether or not
a vein has a connection to the deep system; if it does and the connection is
leaking, then they consider treatment medical necessary. That said, there are
many vein procedures that are covered
by insurance, and one should not assume that treatment won’t be covered. Feel
free to contact us at
VHC to discuss the details of your coverage.
At VHC, our basic philosophy is
that treating problematic veins isn’t about vanity – it’s about health and
quality of life.
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