The treatment of varicose veins and spider veins falls into two obvious categories, cosmetic and medical. Although there may be a small a slight overlap in which a medical vein procedure may provide some cosmetic improvement in your legs, health insurance only covers vein procedures that can treat medically-related symptoms of venous disease. In most cases, the amount of coverage is determined by policy-specific criteria determined by your insurance provider's medical director and coverage policy. Our office does not determine or influence policy coverage. If there is medical necessity inherent in your vein treatment, we will objectively convey that information to your insurance provider in order to obtain insurance coverage. Our office accepts insurance for medically-necessary varicose vein problems as an out-of-network provider. We accept the following:
Aetna
Cigna
United Health Care
Motion Picture
Anthem
Blue Cross / Blue Shield
The first step in determining whether or not you are a candidate for a vein procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian in our Los Angeles vein clinic. During your consultation, Dr. Karamanoukian will obtain a pertinent medical history that relates to your vein disease, perform a targetted physical examination, and recommend or perform any diagnostic tests that may provide objective evidence of venous reflux and venous incompetence. Symptoms related to your varicose veins including leg pain, leg discomfort, leg swelling, itching, burning, restless legs, throbbing, cramping, muscle fatigue, skin changes, venous ulcers, history of vein rupture or bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis, and pain will be discussed.
CHRONIC VEIN DISEASE
Are you trying to decide whether your vein problem is medical or cosmetic? Read further to understand the causes of medical vein disease.
There are many healthy adults who have problems with their legs and thighs. Many wonder whether they should seek medical attention for their vein problems and whether the spider and varicose veins in their feet, legs, and thighs represent a cosmetic concern or a medical concern. Sometimes, the presence of spider and varicose veins can be purely cosmetic, but very often there is a blurred line of division between cosmetic and medical veins problems. Medical vein disease can slowly creep up and cause deficiencies in the circulatory systems as it relates to veins. If problematic varicose veins have been present for a very long time and have caused a progressive decrease in quality of life, that condition is often referred to as chronic vein disease.
Chronic vein disease (CVD) is a common medical problem in both healthy adult men and women. It can occur most commonly with progressive age, increased number of pregnancies, diets, obesity, lack of aerobic exercise, and genetic influences. Occupation and the degree of physical activity can extenuate the risk of vein disease. The term chronic vein disease or chronic venous disease is used when the patient has had vein problems for a long period of time. The term chronic refers to a medical condition that has been ongoing for a period of time, likely months or years. Vein disease is a term used to describe medical problems associated with the circulatory system known as the venous system. Chronic vein disease can be classified as occurring as a primary vein condition or a secondary vein condition. Primary varicose veins refer to those veins that are present as a result of genetic factors; whereas secondary varicose veins refer to those veins that are present as a result of disturbances in the deep veins such as a DVT or after physical trauma. Many athletes complain of abnormal varicose veins in the legs despite a healthy exercise regimen. There varicose veins underneath the skin may result from physical trauma or blunt trauma in the past. Primary vein disease is not limited to spider veins, but may present as superficial telangiectasia, reticular veins, and varicose veins. Frequently, primary venous disease may progress with time to encompass changes in the skin and subcutaneous fat of the lower legs. If the vein problem progresses to the point that the body cannot sustain normal circulatory function, the problem is known as chronic venous insufficiency. Vein disease can affect the superficial spider veins of the legs, deeper reticular veins, or bulging varicose veins. Many men and women who have chronic venous disease may complain of both visibly abnormal bulging veins as well as symptoms associated with these veins, including pain, discomfort, itching, burning, throbbing, cramping, and restlessness.
A term known as chronic venous disorder is often used to describe a morphologic and functional abnormality in the venous system and may involve visible varicose veins, skin changes, or even ulceration of the skin.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is one of the leading expert in vein disease management in the United States. He is a double board certified surgeon and an expert in varicose vein treatment and vein treatment. He is available for consultation to discuss options regarding spider veins, abnormal reticular veins, or bulging varicose vein. Treatments vary depending on the severity of your vein condition and can range from simple laser treatments to more invasive vein surgery.
Learn more about varicose vein treatments and Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at www.Surgery90210.com
