How To Make The Most of Your Deductible

It’s that time again! As the year comes to a close, it’s likely that you have met your insurance coverage deductible. Or if not, you’re probably juuuust about there. Meeting your deductible is easier than you might think at the start of your plan year: Every medical payment you make through the year, from January 1st until the very last day of December, counts toward meeting that deductible. Once it’s met, your insurance plan will cover much more of your medical expenses going forward to the end of the year. Deductibles reset annually, most commonly at the start of the new year (though some plans and deductibles reset at another point in the year), so most patients who have visited their primary care physician or specialists, or undergone procedures throughout the year, have met their deductibles by autumn.

If you have varicose veins, or are experiencing some of the painful or uncomfortable symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, your vein treatments are eligible for insurance coverage. If you have a typical insurance plan, and you’ve met your deductible, you’ll only have a co-pay cost for vein treatments! So that means you can have healthy, happy legs by spring.

If you want to learn more about how to make the most of your insurance plan, keep reading. We’ve got you covered.

The Financial Benefits of Fall Vein Treatment

Varicose vein treatments, considered medically necessary by the vast majority of health insurance plans, are eligible for coverage due to the discomfort and pain patients experience in moderate to severe stages of vein disease. It’s a notably progressive condition, meaning your symptoms and discomfort can escalate to more intense sensations and complications if left untreated. What may begin as a small bulge in a visible varicose vein on the leg can, if neglected, develop into an itching, burning, swollen vein that leaks and forms ulcers. To avoid late-stage vein disease and its alarming complications (like deep vein thrombosis, venous ulcers, or loss of mobility), our vein specialists recommend coming in for an evaluation when you notice changes in your legs.

Most insurance plans will cover the cost of vein treatment because symptoms including cramping, leg heaviness, restless legs (which oftentimes interrupt sleep), etc. result in a lower quality of life. Ulcers create a heightened risk of infection, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be life-threatening. That’s why insurance companies encourage visiting a vein clinic and starting your treatment plan. Pursuing vein treatment in the later months of the year often means you’ll avoid potential out-of-pocket fees and expenses — making vein treatment both insurance-eligible and price-efficient. Maximizing your coverage is the smartest way to navigate vein treatment.

Vein Treatments Covered By Insurance

Although we offer both varicose vein and spider vein treatments in our family of clinics, it’s important to note that spider veins are considered an aesthetic or cosmetic concern by insurance plans, and as such they are usually ineligible for coverage. Varicose vein procedures, which make up 97% of our treatments, are usually eligible for coverage. We provide a variety of minimally invasive vein treatments in our clinics:

• Injectable treatments: Sclerotherapy and Varithena both utilize a medical sclerosing agent (a white foam) to seal unhealthy veins. VenaSeal gently closes diseased veins with a medical-grade adhesive.

• Heat treatments: Radiofrequency ablation (aka RFA) uses heat from radio waves to seal unproductive and unhealthy veins. Endovenous laser ablation (aka EVLA) uses heat from a laser beam to do the same.

• Micro-incision: Microphlebectomy (nicknamed “microphleb,” aka ambulatory phlebectomy) is a vein treatment with immediate results. After making a small incision, usually 2–3mm in length, diseased portions of the vein are removed, instantly improving symptoms.

Because the varicose vein treatments offered in our clinics are all minimally invasive, patients need very little downtime (if any) after appointments. Treatments typically take 15–40 minutes, and most patients walk or drive themselves home after treatment, returning to work the same day or the next day.

For aftercare in most cases, we advise patients to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous exercise or activities (high-intensity workouts like running, CrossFit, or weightlifting) for a few days. We also provide compression stockings because this is a critical feature in post-treatment care. Compression stockings boost circulation by providing graduated pressure to your legs. If you want to buy more on your own, note that we recommend a compression rating of 20–30 mmHgs and over-the-knee length for best results.

Easy as pie, right? And easier still, when costs are fully covered by your insurance plan.

Getting Started Before the New Year

We strongly advise prospective patients to schedule their vein evaluations (which are free with eligible insurance plans) sooner rather than later — especially with the end of the year approaching. Vein treatment is a journey: It is not a “one and done” process. Some treatment methods may require up to four appointments for optimal results. The number of treatments, as well as the treatment type, will vary from patient to patient — as no two legs or two veins are exactly alike. Factors including age, sex/gender, lifestyle choices (active or sedentary, smoking, etc.), and body weight can affect veins, so each patient who steps into a Metro Vein Centers clinic receives a personalized care plan.

We customize treatment plans to address each patient’s unique concerns and symptoms. After each evaluation (which may include an additional, comprehensive ultrasound to investigate veins from the outside in), our team of board-certified vein doctors outline a care plan in detail. The plan will include an estimated timeline from first appointment to the last. We’ll want to ensure that most, if not all, of your treatments take place before your deductible resets, and that’s easier to accomplish when you start vein treatment during the fall.

Our patient care team will confirm your insurance coverage options with you over the phone when you call to book your evaluation. We’ll coordinate with your insurance plan, and we’ll even reach out again prior to your appointment to confirm any co-pays or remaining out-of-pocket fees with you before you arrive. We want to be as thorough as possible, and we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your understanding of your coverage. When we say we want to help you maximize your coverage, we really mean it!

Before, During, and After

Once you’re in for your evaluation, and your treatment dates have been set, the only thing that remains is to come in, receive your treatments, and go on your merry way! We advise all patients to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing before their initial evaluation and during every appointment following. We also ask patients to stay well-hydrated and avoid caffeine on treatment days. (We know it’s tricky, but caffeine can constrict veins. We want to ensure we’re getting an unadulterated view of your vascular system.)

After treatment, we’ll call to check on you and confirm that you’re feeling and doing well! If you experience any light swelling or bruising (at injection sites), or if you’re the least bit uncomfortable, we want to help. We strongly advise patients to communicate with their care team through the care portal between appointments and follow-ups.

Cooler weather, in some areas, is another benefit when it comes to vein treatment aftercare. Compression stockings are provided in beige and black; if you don’t love how they look, you can easily conceal them beneath longer hemlines on pants, skirts, and dresses. Additionally, if you have any small bandages, these can easily be hidden under autumn-appropriate clothing. And taking it easy, regardless of temperature, during the holiday season is a sweet way to celebrate: Take some time to kick your feet up and relax with your family or friends along with your end-of-year traditions. Heck, you might even be able to tell your story and spread the word — start your loved ones on their own journey toward healthier, happier legs.

Why Now? Why Fall?

All in all, we want you to have the opportunity to prioritize your health and take advantage of your insurance deductible as the year wanes. Your comfort, quality of life, and self-confidence are all important. Self-care is often an afterthought, but now is a time with the best possible chance to pursue your health goals and seek relief from discomfort and pain — at little-to-no cost to you. You don’t have to live with pain. Vein care is not a “vain” concern. Vein disease, remember, is progressive. If you’re experiencing painful symptoms, now is the time to tackle them. If you take care of your vein health this fall, you won’t be dealing with potentially worsened symptoms along with a fresh insurance deductible balance and higher out-of-pocket expenses.

We’re here to help you. Stop worrying about your veins, stop worrying about your legs, and stop gritting your teeth to muscle through uncomfortable or painful symptoms. You deserve a healthier experience. We’ll take it from here.

Start Now and Take Back Your Springtime

Your insurance deductible won’t wait past December 31st, and you shouldn’t either. To schedule your evaluation in our New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania vein clinics, call us. We’re available at 866-353-5558 to confirm your insurance coverage, schedule you for your first visit, and get you started on the journey to healthy, happy legs. Take full advantage of your insurance deductible balance and start treatment this fall!

If you’re not sure where you may be standing on the spectrum of vein disease, take our vein health quiz before you call. We look forward to seeing you!