Does Medicare Cover Varicose Vein Treatment?

Medicare does cover varicose vein treatment if the procedure is determined to be medically necessary by your doctor.

A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan can help cover varicose vein treatment costs you might face if it's covered by Medicare, such as deductibles, coinsurance, copays and more.

Medigap plans can help cover varicose vein treatment costs such as Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

If you have varicose veins (or chronic venous insufficiency), it means that the veins in your legs (and in some cases, your arms) aren't working properly.

To reach your heart, your body must carry your blood upwards through one-way valves in your legs. Varicose veins occur when those valves give way and allow blood to flow backwards. This increases the pressure in the vein, often causing swelling, pain, heaviness, itching and discoloration.

If certain lifestyle changes and conservative treatments aren’t enough to treat varicose veins, there are several non-invasive treatments that can be performed to treat and manage varicose veins.

When Are Varicose Veins Covered by Medicare?

A majority of vein treatments do not qualify for Medicare coverage, because they are considered cosmetic procedures.

Varicose veins can be a cosmetic issue, but they can also cause serious blood flow complications and may indicate a more serious medical problem.

If you want to treat spider veins but cannot demonstrate medical necessity, Medicare may not cover the procedure. However, if you have large, bulging varicose veins, you may meet the criteria for Medicare coverage. This is also typically the case for how to get insurance to pay for varicose vein removal. 

Keep in mind that there are very specific medical criteria that must be met in order to get approved for Medicare coverage. You should always consult with your doctor first to find out if Medicare covers your specific varicose vein treatment.

Medigap Plans Can Help Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment Costs

Even if Medicare covers your varicose vein treatment, you may still have certain out-of-pocket health insurance costs, such as Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (also called Medigap) can help cover some of Medicare's out-of-pocket costs.

Learn more about common procedures that medicare covers.

A licensed agent can help you decide on a Medicare option that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.