Are you thinking of having treatment for varicose veins, spider veins or another vein condition? If you’re wondering whether your varicose vein treatment is covered by Medicare or if you’re eligible for another type of rebate for your vein treatment, the answer depends on a variety of factors. This includes the type of vein condition, its size, severity and the health risks it presents.
Having provided hundreds of varicose vein treatments, we’ve been asked many questions by patients. When you entrust your vein treatment to Vein Care in Melbourne, our experienced team can discuss the approximate treatment costs with you and advise you on whether your treatment is covered by Medicare or your private health insurer. Below we take an in-depth look at rebates and Insurance for vein treatment, the different treatment options, their costs and your available options in different circumstances.
Understanding “Medically Necessary” Treatment
Varicose veins and other vein conditions may be covered by Medicare, depending on whether treating the condition is considered medically necessary. Most vein conditions are cosmetic as they present no serious health risks, instead presenting as simply an aesthetic issue. In some cases, however, a vein condition can be associated with more serious, even life threatening, health risks. This is something we can help assess during your initial consultation.
Generally speaking, vein treatment eligibility under Medicare provides rebates for varicose veins which are 2.5mm or larger in diameter. If your treatment is covered by Medicare, as it’s an outpatient procedure it will fall under Part B. This means Medicare will pay the majority of the cost of varicose vein surgery (80% at the time of writing) and you’ll only have to pay a small deductible. You may also be eligible for the Medicare safety net, depending on the type of vein treatment required.
What Vein Treatments Are Covered by Medicare and Private Insurers?
The most common vein treatments covered by Medicare and private health insurance providers are varicose vein treatments for veins 2.5mm or larger in diameter and treatments for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious vein condition that can prove fatal if not treated immediately. Varicose veins can be treated with a variety of treatments, such as ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (USG), while deep vein thrombosis is generally treated with anticoagulant (blood thinning) medicines.
Private Health Insurance for Veins
Sometimes Medicare may not be an option for you, and in that case, you may be wondering if private health insurance for veins is a possibility instead. Usually, private health policies only cover hospital treatments, excluding most outpatient varicose vein procedures. If you go to a leading local vein clinic like Vein Care, you’ll benefit from minimally-invasive treatments. Still, because they are performed in a private medical facility, they will only be covered by Medicare, not private health insurance.
When you compare cutting-edge vein therapies with minimal downtime to traditional vein stripping, it’s worth it to visit a vein clinic over a hospital. Even if private health isn’t offered, Medicare will cover a reasonable proportion of the varicose vein treatment cost so you can avoid a lengthy recovery time while also keeping expenses under control.
Varicose Vein Treatment Cost
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to provide an exact cost for each treatment. Venous disease varies significantly among individuals and these differences have a big influence on the exact treatment, cost and process. Some of the costs to consider include:
- Initial Assessment – This includes a comprehensive examination, which may include an ultrasound assessment depending on the individual case. The cost can range anywhere between $150 to $300. This is an important first step for understanding your health needs and developing a personalised treatment plan.
- Procedure – Once we diagnose the vein condition, we can determine an appropriate treatment based on the individual care, whether sclerotherapy, laser therapy, ambulatory phlebectomy or another procedure. The actual vein treatment cost ranges from several hundred to several thousands of dollars depending on the condition, type of treatment and the number of treatments needed.
- Anaesthetic Fee – If and when anesthetic is needed for a procedure, additional fees and associated costs may also be included in the overall bill. This will vary depending on each individual treatment plan.
- Compression Garments and Post-Procedure Care – Depending on the treatment, compression stockings and other post-procedure treatments provided may also be factored into the treatment plan and overall cost.
As every patient has vastly different requirements, the only way to get a concrete idea on the cost of varicose vein surgery or treatment is to arrange a consultation.
Varicose Vein Treatment Methods and Costs
When it comes to treating vein conditions, there are a variety of minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment options. As leading vein treatment specialists, we use cutting-edge technology to treat a range of vein conditions while taking a holistic approach. This means recommending lifestyle changes alongside non-surgical or surgical treatment to maximise the outcomes of your treatment.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy are advanced injection based treatments where a special micro-needle is used to introduce a solution to the problem vein that causes it to be collapsed, cleansed and sealed. The vein is then absorbed into your body and blood instead flows through other nearby healthy veins. Sclerotherapy is typically used for varicose veins whereas microsclerotherapy is indicated for spider veins.
Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is a similar treatment that uses ultrasound to increase the accuracy of each injection. This is ideal when the affected veins aren’t as prominent or are quite numerous in a single area of your body.
Endovenous Laser Therapy
Endovenous laser therapy is an advanced laser treatment that gently heats affected veins, causing them to shrink and close. Once again, your body’s immune system naturally takes care of the rest, absorbing the collapsed vein to allow blood to flow through other veins instead. This procedure is often recommended when addressing larger varicose veins.
Cyanoacrylate Vein Glue
Cyanoacrylate vein glue is similar to sclerotherapy but involves injecting a special type of medical glue into the problem vein under ultrasound guidance. This seals them off and prevents the blood buildup.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Ambulatory phlebectomy is typically recommended when targeting more severe, visibly bulging varicose veins. The treatment involves using special tiny medical hooks to pull the problem veins out through micro incisions, which are so small that stitches aren’t required afterwards.
Varicose Vein Surgery
In rare cases where the above treatments are not suitable for your particular vein condition, your vein doctor may recommend surgical stripping. This is a more traditional surgical procedure that involves removing the entire affected vein from your body.
Aside from surgical stripping, these procedures are all quick, relatively painless and can be covered by Medicare as long as they are deemed medically necessary. Expect treatments to take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Designed as walk-in, walk-out procedures, they also have minimal side effects, with the ability to return to most regular activities straight away.
Medicare Coverage for Vein Treatment
At the conclusion of your initial consultation, we will be able to determine whether your condition meets the vein treatment eligibility requirements to be covered by Medicare. From there, we’ll provide an itemised vein treatment cost estimate in writing. This detailed document will break down the expenses associated with your treatment plan and the Medicare rebates that will apply.
Our dedicated team then designs the most appropriate treatment plan for your circumstances. This will be based on your personal preferences, your budget as well as the location, structure, severity and number of affected veins you need to get treated. Your treatment plan and cost breakdown will also encompass any follow-up ultrasound examinations and review visits that our team believes will be necessary for your ongoing care.
Alternatives to Medicare Coverage for Vein Treatment
Only vein treatments that are deemed medically necessary are covered by Medicare. Our sclerotherapy and microsclerotherapy treatments for cosmetic spider veins and varicose veins, however, are cost-effective and can help you regain your self-confidence. We will also always communicate the estimated treatment cost upfront so you know exactly what to expect and we’ll endeavour to plan around your budget where possible.
These proven medical solutions don’t require an anaesthetic and involve injecting a sclerosant solution into the affected veins. Results are usually noticed in just a few weeks, plus recovery times are fast, with minor discomfort at the point of injection the most adverse reaction that patients experience. Vein Care is a leading provider of microsclerotherapy in Melbourne, and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about our spider vein treatments and the costs involved.
Book a Consultation Today for Advanced Vein Treatments in Melbourne
To discover more about the complete range of treatments available at Vein Care in Melbourne, book an appointment today. We’ve got a wide range of procedures suited for both cosmetic and medically necessary treatments whether you’re covered by Insurance for vein treatment or not. Our specialists will work to provide the most effective treatment plan for your circumstances. Make an appointment today by calling us on 1300 730 100 or contact us online.
