Are Varicose Vein and Spider Vein Treatments Covered By Insurance?

 

Are you one of the many people who have avoided treatment of varicose veins or spider veins because you believe they are not covered by health insurance because they are a cosmetic condition? In many cases, this is a misconception. If you’ve put this procedure off because you’re concerned about cost, then read on…
Bad News and Good News.
The bad news is that people with varicose veins and/or spider veins can suffer from significant symptoms and the potential for serious complications.

The good news is that when performed for medical reasons, varicose vein and spider vein treatment is covered by health insurance. The following is a quick questionnaire to help you determine if you may qualify for insurance coverage.

Do you experience:
– Swelling in the lower legs, ankles and feet?
– Persistent pain or a heavy feeling in the lower legs?
– Development of open sores around the ankle?
– Skin changes such as thickening and discoloration?
– Leg cramping or restless leg syndrome?

Medical attention should be sought whenever these symptoms are present.
We are in-network with a number of health insurance providers and accept Medicare and Medicaid. You can find a general list of the insurance providers we work with here. (http://www.veincenterofindiana.com/insurance/)

Of course, before having any procedure, make sure you know what your financial responsibility will be. Check with your insurance provider to verify plan an benefit coverage. Depending on your plan, specific referrals or other preauthorization may be necessary.

Varicose Veins Gone For Good Without Major Surgery

 

Varicose veins are observed among as many as 60% of all American adults, and among 50% of women. According to The National Women’s Health Information Center, by the mid 50’s, 41% of women in the US suffer from either spider or varicose veins. Often the first signs of varicose veins appear during pregnancy. However, prolonged constipation, lack of exercise, and additional weight are also contributing factors.

In the past, people who suffered from varicose veins were offered only one treatment option – surgical removal of the diseased binding and veins. This painful procedure is still performed today. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, followed by a cut in the groin and the knee. This traumatic surgery is often accompanied by the risk of scarring and nerve damage. Recovery from it is painful, time consuming and nearly always requires significant doses of pain medication.

Alternatives to Varicose Vein Surgery

Modern technologies offer alternatives to varicose vein treatment such as sclerotherapy. During this procedure a special drug (sclerosant) is injected into the vein. The drug forms a plug, which excludes the problem vein from the circulatory system.

The good news is that it is a painless procedure that takes about 10-15 minutes. Using this method allows us to selectively remove varicose veins, while maintaining the healthy areas of other blood vessels. It improves blood circulation, removes abnormal blood stasis in the varicose veins, and prevents disease from progressing. The signs of varicose veins disappear as do the clinical manifestations such as swelling, cramps, pain and fatigue.

In many cases, sclerotherapy can quickly solve the problem. However, in other cases, the problem requires a different approach: laser treatment.

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT), is another fast and painless procedure. During EVLT the patient is conscious, but the leg under treatment is numbed under local anesthesia. A physician makes a small incision in the leg near the location of the damaged vein and a tiny fiber optic probe is inserted into the vein using ultrasound. A highly concentrated laser beam heats the walls of the veins and reduces them, which causes the unhealthy vein to close.

Laser accuracy allows the doctor to treat the vein, without affecting the surrounding tissue, and when the vein is closed, it is slowly absorbed into the surrounding soft tissue. Other healthy veins in the legs will then take the normal flow of blood to the heart.

We can see from all of this that varicose veins are not a life sentence. There are great alternatives to help you a recover an active and pain free life.

Why Do You Get Varicose Veins In Your Feet?

 

Millions of people throughout the world struggle with varicose veins. While many assume they affect only the legs, varicose veins can be a considerable problem in your ankles and feet. This post includes basic information about varicose veins, as well discussing the symptoms of venous reflux disease, which leads to foot problems.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, blue or dark purple veins that bulge from the skin. Common symptoms of varicose veins include pain, discomfort, and throbbing. People can experience varicose veins throughout the body but they’re most often seen in the legs. While they can sometimes be harmless, varicose veins have been known to lead to more serious health problems, including:

  • Bleeding: When the skin over the veins becomes thin, bleeding can occur. Blood loss can be a concern if left untreated.
  • Sores or Skin Ulcers: Painful and difficult to heal, sores and skins ulcers are a result of chronic back-up of blood in the veins. Some sores and skin ulcers won’t heal until the vein blood flow is fixed.
  • Superficial Thrombophlebitis: A blood clot that forms in a vein just below the skin is also known as superficial thrombophlebitis. Symptoms include reddened skin, tender, warm veins, and pain or swelling.
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis: When a blood clot happens in a deeper vein, it is called deep vein thrombosis. Those experiencing it will feel a pulling sensation in the calf, swelling, pain, warmth, and redness. Deep vein thrombosis can have no significant symptoms. But blood clots that travel to the lungs can be fatal.

What is Venous Reflux Disease?

Venous reflux disease, also known as venous insufficiency, occurs when the saphenous vein in the leg can’t supply blood back to the heart efficiently. When that happens, blood travels to the ankles and pools there, which leads to swelling and the development of varicose veins. People who stand up while they work are more susceptible to venous reflux disease, and, therefore, varicose veins in their feet.

In some cases, chronic swollen ankles are a sign of heart failure, so it’s critical you see a physician if you suffer from them for an extended period of time.

When Should You Go To A Doctor?

If you have any of the following symptoms, consider seeing a physician:

  • Sores or a rash on the leg, near the ankle, or your feet
  • Skin on the calf, ankle, or foot becomes thick and changes color
  • You suffer from bleeding of varicose veins
  • Swollen, red, painful, warm, or tender veins
  • You have a hard time doing daily activities because of chronic leg problems
  • The unsightliness of varicose veins is making you feel uncomfortable

If you’re experiencing discomfort and pain in your legs and feet, don’t hesitate to get help. Swelling and varicose veins may seem like a small problem, but you might want to ensure they’re not a sign of a larger health concern.

Varicose Vein Information – 7 Interesting Facts about Varicose Veins

Basic varicose vein information isn’t hard to come by. The impact of obesity, pregnancy, aging, and common hormonal changes are fairly common knowledge. But like all topics of interest, you’re bound to find more trivial information the deeper you dig. In that spirit, here are 7 interesting facts about varicose veins you might not have known:

  1. Support hose won’t make varicose veins disappear. Despite some well-travelled, antiquated myths, perhaps passed down from a wise aunt or grandmother, wearing stockings does not cause them to magically disintegrate. They do help treat systems, however.
  2. Men also get varicose veins. Yes, they’re a greater issue with women, but some men – estimates as high as 30 percent – are susceptible, too. It’s believed Henry VIII, weighing in excess of 300 pounds, suffered from varicose veins. Because weight is such a key factor, it’s not much of a leap to think football players may also struggle with varicose veins.
  3. The first recorded case of varicose veins is from 86 BC. Roman general Caius Marius is described in texts from the period as suffering from the condition. At the time, he allowed himself to be subjected to archaic surgical methods to find relief. As expected, those tactics were unsuccessful. Perhaps that experience is what contributed to him later becoming a mad tyrant.
  4. Of all animals, giraffe’s have the greatest pressure in their legs, yet they don’t get varicose veins. Because their veins and arteries are concentrated in the center of their legs, and they have really thick skin (literally), varicose veins aren’t a problem. As some experts are fond of saying, it is like giraffes wear permanent compression stockings.
  5. Hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein. Most people assume varicose veins are found exclusively in the legs. That’s not the case if you include this particular version. The next time someone states the old tale that Napoleon lost the Battle of Waterloo because of his hemorrhoids, you wouldn’t be wrong to pipe in with this bit of information.
  6. A type of varicose vein suffered by men is known as a varicocoele. Affecting as much as three-quarters of all men, a varicocoele is a collection that can occur in the left testicle and cause discomfort. Aside from modifying your diet and exercising, there’s little a man can do to prevent it from happening. You can treat the symptoms with warm baths and wearing underwear with greater support.
  7. Foods that cause expansion can make varicose veins worse. These include foods with a lot of sugar or that have a lot of vitamin C. A diet high in fiber and low in salt is recommended.

5 Things You May Not Know About Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

1. Abnormal veins can continue to develop over a period of years. While current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins – including Phlebectomy and Sclerotherapy – have very high success rates compared to traditional surgical treatments. However, if you suffer from weak vein valves, more abnormal veins can develop over a period of years. Ongoing treatment can help keep this problem under control.
2. Eating a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods can help prevent varicose and spider veins. Eating fiber reduces the chances of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Eating less salt can help with the swelling that comes with varicose veins.
3. Sun exposure can increase your risk for spider veins on the cheeks or nose of fair-skinned people. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
4. Varicose veins and spider veins can be dangerous. While rarely a serious health problem, varicose veins and spider veins can be an indication of and/or lead to more serious health problems. These include:

  • Sores or skin ulcers due to chronic (long-term) backing up of blood. These sores or ulcers are painful and hard to heal. Sometimes they cannot heal until the backward blood flow in the vein is repaired.
  • Bleeding. The skin over the veins becomes thin and easily injured. When an injury occurs, there can be significant blood loss.
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis (throm-bo-fli-BYT-uhs), which is a blood clot that forms in a vein just below the skin. Symptoms include skin redness; a firm, tender, warm vein; and sometimes pain and swelling.
  • Deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in a deeper vein. It can cause a “pulling” feeling in the calf, pain, warmth, redness, and swelling. However, sometimes it causes no significant symptoms. If the blood clot travels to the lungs, it can be fatal.

5. The pressure of body weight is the reason most varicose and spider veins appear in the legs. Additional factors include the force of gravity, and task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. They endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the one-way valves in the veins. Exercise and controlling your weight are important factors that can reduce your risk of getting new varicose and spider veins.

3 Things You Need To Know About Varicose Veins

Top 7 Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Top 7 Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Veins that have become enlarged and bulge out from the skin are called varicose veins. More prevalent in women than men, they’re typically blue or dark purple and can cause discomfort, including aches and throbbing. When vein walls become weak, veins can enlarge as blood collects inside the vein. The increased pressure in the leg veins leads to varicose veins. Varicose veins have several causes, which include:

  • Heredity
  • Being overweight
  • Hormonal changes
  • Tight clothing
  • Age
  • Injuries
  • Excessive standing

While they don’t always have serious implications, varicose veins may be an indicator of more serious health problems, including, internal bleeding, sores or skin ulcers, superficial thrombophlebitis (a blood clot just below the skin), or deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deeper vein).

To assess whether you may be suffering from varicose veins and need to see a physician, look for these top 7 symptoms:

  1. Sores or rash on the leg or ankle – If you’ve noticed a sudden increase of sores or a persistent rash on your legs or down by your ankles, it may be due to varicose veins. Have you recently been sitting or standing for prolonged amounts of time? Doing so can increase the potential for sores and rash to appear.
  2. Swollen legs – You may not necessarily see an increase in varicose veins, but if you’ve noticed your legs are more swollen than usual, it could be an indicator they’re not far off.
  3. Itchiness – If you’ve noticed your legs are itchier than before, it may be a sign of varicose veins.
  4. Tender veins that are especially painful or warm to the touch – You may not see the veins yet, but if areas of your legs are sensitive or feel hotter than other areas, it could be another indicator.
  5. Muscle Cramps and Aching – Again, this may be a case where you don’t necessarily see the evidence of varicose veins. But if you experience persistent aching or cramping in portions of your legs, you may be in the early stages of varicose veins becoming exposed.
  6. Bleeding – Unexpected bleeding in these sensitive areas may suggest varicose veins.
  7. Skin discoloration or change in consistency – Another indicator of varicose veins is when the skin around your legs or ankles becomes brown or hardens.

Ways to prevent varicose veins include:

  • Avoid crossing your legs while seated
  • Don’t sit or stand for excessive lengths of time
  • Stop wearing constrictive clothes that bind around the legs and waist
  • Lose weight
  • Exercise often to increase the amount of circulation in your legs
  • Elevate your legs a few times each day

10 Tips to Prevent Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, dark purple or blue blood vessels that bulge out from the skin, most frequently on your legs. In addition to being unsightly, varicose veins can cause aching pain, throbbing, and discomfort. They may also be an indicator of serious health issues, including poor circulation. Fortunately, you can take steps to help prevent varicose veins and maintain healthy circulation in your legs. Here are 10 tips for prevention:

Weight Loss – Carrying extra weight causes added strain on your legs. Reducing your weight will not only help your overall health, but minimize the likelihood of developing varicose veins.

Find a Chair – Standing for long periods of time adds to your risk of developing varicose veins. Look for opportunities to reduce the stress on your legs by sitting when possible.

Improve Circulation – Compression stockings help your legs by supporting your weight, which improves circulation. If you have a job that requires you to stand often, compression stockings are a valuable option. Another method for those who stand a lot is to flex your calf muscles. You can also try squeezing your feet in your shoes to improve blood flow.

Exercise – Staying active is great for your health, in general, but it also improves the circulation in your legs. Activities like biking, swimming, and walking are highly recommended. You must still use caution, however, when exercising. Abdominal pressure, for example, can block blood flow to your heart. If you lift weights, make sure you blow out to limit the pressure.

Stop Smoking – Smoking is obviously bad for your health, but many people don’t realize the effects it has on your circulation. By quitting, you improve blood flow throughout your body and minimize your risk for high blood pressure – both associated with varicose veins.

High-Estrogen Birth Control – Birth control pills and hormonal supplements that are high in estrogen can alter your circulation. As noted already, poor circulation can lead to varicose veins. Note that pregnancy also causes an elevation of many hormones. Approximately 70 percent of women who become pregnant and have inherited a family gene for varicose veins will see them develop. The good news is that many of these veins will disappear 4 to 6 weeks after you finish breast-feeding.

Crossed Legs – Many people automatically cross their legs when they sit down. Unfortunately, doing so hampers circulation. You can help prevent varicose veins by avoiding this habit.

Wear Comfortable Clothing – You want to avoid constricting your legs and waist to ensure circulation remains fluid. When possible, try to wear low-heeled or flat shoes and clothes that don’t restrict. Girdles or knee-high nylons or socks can block blood flow. High-heeled shoes – 1.5 inches high or more – don’t allow proper circulation.

Elevate – Take time each day to kick up your feet and relax! Elevating your feet above your heart for a short while helps circulation, lessening the chances of varicose veins developing.

Seek Treatment – In some cases the steps above just aren’t enough to prevent varicose veins. If you’re struggling with them, consider speaking with a specialist about medications and other treatments to alleviate the discomfort.

Top 7 Varicose Vein Risk Factors

Both men and women are susceptible to varicose veins. In fact, more than half of all people 50 years and older suffer from varicose veins. Vein problems, in total, affect more women than of men, but it’s an issue that is fairly universal.

Several factors impact whether you are susceptible to varicose veins. The following are the top 7 risk factors for developing varicose or spider veins:

Increasing Age
Just like the rest of your body, your veins tend to show their age after a while. As you get older, your veins may weaken and not work as effectively as they once did, resulting in varicose or spider veins.

Medical History
Heredity is a key risk factor. If you have family members with vein problems, the likelihood of you experiencing difficulties increases. You may have simply been born with weak vein valves. Approximately half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who suffers from them, too. Take a look at your family history – that should give you an indication whether it’s something you need to be concerned about.

Hormonal Changes 
When your hormonal levels fluctuate, your risk for varicose veins increases. During puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are the most natural times of concern. Women who take birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone may also increase the likelihood that varicose and spider veins begin to form.

Pregnancy 
Of the major hormonal changes, pregnancy can have the greatest impact. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases substantially. You are supporting new life, after all. Because your uterus is growing, your veins experience added pressure. The blood increase can cause veins to enlarge, hence the appearance of spider veins or varicose veins. The good news is that varicose veins usually improve within three months after delivery. With that being said, more varicose veins and spider veins tend to appear with each additional pregnancy.

Obesity 
Varicose veins and spider veins can increase when you put extra pressure on your veins. Being overweight and carrying around extra weight causes that very thing to happen. Your diet is a critical component of your ability to avoid developing varicose veins.

Lack of Movement 
A sedentary lifestyle – or at least one where you don’t move much throughout the day – is bad news for your veins. When you sit or stand for long periods of time, you may be forcing your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. The effects may be even more substantial if you often sit with your legs bent or crossed. You can combat the problem with exercise and, at the very least, taking time throughout the day to just walk around.

Sun Exposure 
People love grabbing some rays, but too much sun is bad news. This is especially true for fair-skinned people. Excessive sun exposure can cause spider veins to appear on cheeks and noses. If you’re going to be out in the sun for a while, make sure you have protection.

Susan’s Story

Background

Susan was suffering from daily fatigue, discomfort, and pain in her legs. She had large throbbing varicose veins that were gradually worsening. After researching the issue and learning about the long-term implications, she made the decision to seek treatment.

Solution

Susan went to the Vein Center of Indiana with specific expectations, namely that she wanted a minimally invasive procedure. Susan didn’t want to have surgery and with her busy schedule didn’t have the time for the two-week recovery.

After seeing Dr. Ehrman’s name in the Top Docs feature in Indianapolis Monthly magazine, she decided to come in for a consultation. She had looked into several treatment options and was intrigued by EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy), an outpatient, non-surgical procedure that took about one hour. Susan was also relieved that the procedure didn’t require a lot of medication. Following her consultation, she made the decision to have the procedure

Results

“My legs feel like they did 10 years ago,” she said. “Now I don’t have the discomfort and fatigue that I had before my treatment.”

Susan was extremely pleased with the professionalism from the staff at the Center. She felt, through the entire process, they were friendly, accommodating, and pleasant to work with. Since her procedure, Susan has referred three other people to the Center, including her husband. They’ve all been happy with the outcomes.

“And I really liked Dr. Ehrman,” she said. “She wasn’t intimidating and has a great sense of humor.”