Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

VARICOSE VEINS, VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY AND LEG ULCER TREATMENTS

Insurance coverage is always dependent upon benefit eligibility, as outlined in your specific benefit plan.  Some employers have chosen not to cover varicose vein treatment specifically, so be sure and check with your human resources department or call the toll-free number on the back of your insurance card.

BCBS typically will cover if medically necessary

For the most part, as long as your situation meets Blue Cross Blue Shield’s definition of "medical necessity," then your treatment will be covered and paid according to your plan benefits. BCBS provides contracted providers with a comprehensive 17-page report that explains how a patient meets criteria. The measures and conditions they require are very straightforward. During your examination, duplex ultrasound, and consultation with Dr. Jilanne Rose, she will be able to determine if you meet the standards for BCBS insurance coverage.

If you have not sought treatment before and your symptoms do not significantly interfere with your activities of daily living, Jilanne will most likely recommend conservative treatment for at least 3 months, to see if your symptoms improve without the need for more invasive options. If you are like most of our patients, you’ve been suffering for many months or years and have had numerous rounds of conservative treatment…to no avail. In this case, it’s very likely you will meet the treatment criteria at your initial visit and we can proceed with RFA, EVLT, Verithena, and/or sclerotherapy immediately.

Prior authorization

Our staff including Michella, Beth, or Lucy will call BCBS of Arizona and request “prior authorization” as well as obtain benefits. This way you know how much you will owe before any treatment is done and you can be assured the insurance has “authorized” the treatment as well. It is our goal to make sure the insurance companies provide the level of benefit coverage that you and/or your employer pay for on a monthly basis, as well as make a painless of a process for you. You can also contact our office to discuss varicose veins treatment costs if your insurance will not cover EVLT, RFA, ClariVein, or VenaSeal.

To find out if you are at risk for CVI, or any other venous disease of the lower limb, download and fill out this assessment.

Want to speak with someone right away?   It's really easy to talk to Dr. Jilanne Rose.  Just call the office at (480) 454-5562, fill out this form, or email us at [email protected] to get a conversation started about your symptoms and whether vein treatment may be needed.

I have spider veins that hurt!

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Question: I have spider veins on my legs and they really hurt to the touch. Can that be dangerous to my health? Answer: In the large picture, pain associated with spider veins is not life threatening.  It would be worthwhile to have an evaluation by a qualified provider to see if these spider veins are…

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By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 25, 2019 | Comments Off on I have had a blood clot before and I am worried.
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I am scheduled for a right leg radiofrequency ablation. I have venous insufficiency in the saphenous vein and have had a blood clot before. Question: In 2006, I underwent an artificial lumbar disk implant. This failed causing artificial disk to move into the spine. While surgeon removed the artificial disk implant, he nicked the liac…

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Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Apr 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Sclerotherapy before endovenous laser vein treatment?

My doctor said my vein is too large to have sclerotherapy performed first, is this true? Question: I have a few visible spider veins on my lower leg that I want treated with foam sclerotherapy. However, the doctor wants me to do endovenous laser treatment before the sclerotherapy. According to him, my vein is way…

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Same pain, new location

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 21, 2019 | Comments Off on Same pain, new location
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I’m having the same pain that I had before my ablation procedure, except it is in a different new location. How long will this go on? Question:  It’s been 2 months since my GSV endovenous laser ablation procedure. I have the same pain that I had before the procedure, except it’s in a new location.…

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Circular wound with redness

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Mar 14, 2019 | Comments Off on Circular wound with redness

I recently had the VNUS procedure done (both legs, multiple veins).  Is it normal to have open, circular wound with redness and slight weepiness? Question: All of the other areas are healing nicely, but the area on my shin (a bit off center) has a much larger wound. It has been quite red in the…

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Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Mar 2, 2019 | Comments Off on Compression socks make my legs hurt more, is this normal?

Question: How big of a size do compression stockings come in?  Answer:  Compression socks should be comfortable and supportive. If the stockings are making your symptoms worse, it is likely that they do not fit you correctly.  There are numerous companies that make standard sized compression stockings. Some make 7 to 8 different sizes.  Additionally,…

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Get rid of my varicose veins

By Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on Get rid of my varicose veins
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I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Feb 12, 2019 | Comments Off on I injured my varicose vein over my knee, what should I do?
injured varicose vein

Question: I knelt down the other day and injured the large varicose vein over my knee. It bruised quickly and felt very sore, so I put a pressure bandage on it. Since then, the vein bruise has spread and is now about 12″ up my thigh. It is very red, and I’m not sure what…

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What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 15, 2019 | Comments Off on What Treatment Options Are Available For My CVI?
Compression Socks

Question: What treatment options are available for my CVI? I can’t sit or stand in one place and I have heavy, aching legs all of the time. I started to have achy, heavy leg feelings about a month after I sprained my right ankle and scratched my left knee last April. I was diagnosed with…

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Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

By Jilanne Rose, DNP ANP-BC | Jan 10, 2019 | Comments Off on Q&A: During my EVLT, I could smell and taste a slight “burning” odor plus I was dizzy during my procedure. Is that normal?

Question: During the EVLT laser procedure I really didn’t feel well, especially when the laser was on. I felt dizzy and the smell of “burning” freaked me out. Even after I was done, it took me couple hours to feel normal again. Is that normal? Answer: The “odor” and sometimes a taste is normal during…

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About Jason Babcock, MBA ACRP-CP

Jason is the Practice Administrator and CEO of Advanced Vein Institute of Arizona. Mr. Babcock brings over 30 years of healthcare administration experience to the organization with a strong background in finance, business development, operational improvement and customer service to AVIA.