Posted August 23, 2019 in Insurance, Spider Veins, Varicose Veins
The veins in our body have a vital job of maintaining proper blood flow from our heart to vital organs and tissues then back again. Not only is the health of our veins a medical one, but they can also be a cosmetic issue as well. In some cases, an individual’s veins may not be functioning properly which can lead to swelling, pain, and other medical complications. It is critical to find professional help from a vein treatment center like Mountcastle Vein Clinic in Ashburn, VA if issues with varicose and spider veins have become troublesome. Unfortunately, all too often, patients don’t seek treatment due to the concern of potential out-of-pocket expenses or that their insurance provider will not cover the cost of needed treatments.
Diagnosing and treating issues concerning varicose and spider veins are Mountcastle Vein Clinic’s specialty. Founded by Dr. Timothy Mountcastle who is a double board-certified plastic and general surgeon, his premier vein treatment center specializes in helping both men and women with vein and vascular conditions. While treating spider and varicose veins is a relatively new medical offering for some professionals and aren’t the main focuses of their practice, Dr. Mountcastle is intently focused on comprehensive vein treatment options to help patients in the Northern Virginia area.
Varicose veins can have a major impact on a person’s life. The team at Mountcastle Vein Clinic performs more than 500 vein procedures every year. Many vein treatments can be covered by insurance, ranging from cosmetic issues to venous diseases. Dr. Mountcastle brings the detailed artistry of a plastic surgeon combined with the technical skills and know-how of a vein surgeon to each procedure. Here is a look at how the cosmetic concern over varicose and spider veins can turn into a health issue for patients who do not seek treatment when it becomes more of a problem.
What are varicose and spider veins?
There are numerous reasons why Northern Virginia men and women deal with varicose or spider veins. Venous issues are a more common struggle for women generally but often can also be an issue for men. Varicose or spider veins can be brought on by obesity, lack of movement, a person’s occupation, pregnancy, genetics, age, and in some cases a trauma to the legs. Veins are the vessels that carry blood throughout the body and to the heart. These unique one-way valves keep our blood flowing, but when they become weakened or damaged, the blood will begin to collect or pool in an area. The result is the appearance of spider or varicose veins.
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider VEINS?
Veins have a major job carrying our blood throughout the body. When they become damaged or weakened they can appear through the skin. Spider veins are a small, web-like network of fine lines that can look like a spider web or tree. Not raised in appearance, they are generally blue, red, or purple and normally don’t pose a medical problem. They are generally a cosmetic issue for women in the leg area and can also be seen in the hands or face, particularly with men.
Varicose veins, however, are quite different than spider veins. More common among women and primarily appearing in the leg area, varicose veins can be seen and felt through the skin with their bumpy, twisted appearance. Enlarged due to excess pressure in the saphenous system, this circulatory issue can lead to painful discomfort and can go beyond just being a cosmetic complaint from patients. In addition to the visible issues, varicose veins can cause restless legs at night, heaviness, aching, throbbing, itching, or camping sensations in the legs.
The Cosmetic Myth
The common myth about spider and varicose veins is that they are just a cosmetic issue but, in some cases, especially when it comes to varicose veins, individuals can experience extreme pain and discomfort. Vein disease can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health. While spider veins are generally not painful and tend to be merely an unsightly nuisance, varicose veins can bring on more serious concerns. If left untreated varicose veins can pose other medical problems like painful swelling and discomfort in the legs. There is the potential of blood clots or varicose veins rupturing. They can also lead to ulcers in the legs. In more severe cases, varicose veins can lead to other circulatory diseases such as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which can cause nerve damage.
Most patients put off treating their vein disorder because they are concerned their insurance plan won’t cover it. Patients who want relief are left feeling burdened that treatment can only happen at their own expense, but in most instances, that is not the case.
Are varicose veins covered by health insurance?
More insurance companies are realizing that vein disease is a real condition that requires intervention and is not just a cosmetic issue. For over 15 years, Dr. Mountcastle and his professional staff at Mountcastle Vein Clinic have provided vein treatments to patients in the Northern Virginia area which can be covered by insurance. His vein treatment center provides a range of treatment services ranging from cosmetic vein issues to more complex vein disease solutions. Varicose veins, in particular, can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life, so most patients who are needing treatment to provide relief or actually remove troublesome veins may find that their particular procedure is covered by health insurance.
At Mountcastle Vein Clinic in Ashburn, VA, double board-certified plastic and general surgeon Dr. Timothy Mountcastle and his professionally-trained staff work closely with insurance companies to maximize patients’ benefits for treatment. They will take care of all the authorizations and claim submission and provide Northern Virginia patients with a detailed pricing analysis based on each individual treatment plan. Because each insurance plan is different, the staff at his vein treatment center’s office will be able to inform patients how much deductible, copay, or coinsurance will be owed for each procedure before any treatment is applied.
It is helpful to women and men in Northern Virginia to know that several vein procedures can be covered by health insurance. Utilizing the latest technology and medical equipment when it comes to the treatment of venous disease, a double board-certified plastic and general surgeon, Dr. Timothy Mountcastle, is highly regarded, named by Northern Virginia Magazine as a “Top Plastic Surgeon.” If you are experiencing issues in regards to varicose or spider veins, then we invite you to schedule a consultation at Mountcastle Vein Clinic in Ashburn, VA today.