Ablation Therapy of Incompetent Extremity Veins - HELP with Varicose veins question

[Anonymous]

I need to get this done in one leg and already paid for the consult and imaging out of pocket (high deductible) and the cost estimate I was given was for 'in office' procedure.

However, I see that the fee for this procedure is 6x higher when done 'in office' vs if it were done at an on/off campus hospital? I called Aetna and they were no help. My understanding is that typically anything done at a hospital is more expensive as there would be facility fees added too.

I know everyone's insurance deductible etc is different but due to the huge price difference just trying to get a ball-park estimate. I really have a very limited budget and my leg is huge.

If you had this done and used insurance can you please share how much your out of pocket was? Where/Who did it? Hospital or in office? TIA

[Anonymous]

I had a thermal radiofrequency varicose vein ablation - not sure if that is the same procedure you’re describing. It was done by my vascular surgeon in office, took about 15 minutes. It was expensive - like $6,000. My portion after insurance was about $900 plus an office visit copay for a leg ultrasound after the procedure.

[Anonymous]

This is usually deemed cosmic unless they can prove the issues thus why its expensive. If you avoid the vein clinics and see a real doctor they will say 99.9% of the time these don't have to be treated. The vein clinics will say you have to treat them cardiologists will say to save them.

[Anonymous]

I had this done - it was at a vein clinic, but the Dr. was a vascular surgeon.

My insurance paid for almost all of it.

I'm sorry I'm not much help on the cost piece, but wanted to say that it's legitimate to have it done at a clinic vs. the hospital.

[Anonymous]

DH had it at a clinic. He had horrible varicose veins in one leg and insufficiency in both. CareFirst paid. DR. MEHRU SONDE.

[Anonymous]

OP. Thank you all - these comments are helpful.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it not worth it.

They are huge and someone here had posted a nightmare of a story of their mom’s leg veins bursting and all the blood. I sent to an MD at a vein clinic and the cost out of pocket for me is nearly $2500 including imaging and two 6 week visits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH had it at a clinic. He had horrible varicose veins in one leg and insufficiency in both. CareFirst paid. DR. MEHRU SONDE.

OP. Insurance approved it and this is in network but upto $3600 it’s my deductible. I have delayed a Couple of procedures so I can get them done this year and get some thing paid a little at least. I believe my Aetna insurance is the worst one around. I don’t know anyone who pays out of pocket including doctor consults till deductible is met. Consult and Imaging was $600 network negotiated which is terrible.

[Anonymous]

You need to fix the problems inside before dealing with the spider veins or varicose veins. Otherwise not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Dr Sonde did guided chemical ablation inside and then electrical on DH. Long process but better than stripping lie they used to do.

[Anonymous]

Do nothing. You do not need to treat these! It's a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't do it not worth it.

They are huge and someone here had posted a nightmare of a story of their mom’s leg veins bursting and all the blood. I sent to an MD at a vein clinic and the cost out of pocket for me is nearly $2500 including imaging and two 6 week visits.

Not only did you belive that story you ran out and paid $2500 to a vein clinic? Lol lol I have some swamp land I want to sell you!

[Anonymous]

I am the DH at Dr Sonde PP. He had huge varicose veins on one leg since early adulthood. Never any pain. A congenital thing. They got bigger but no pain doc said leave alone.
Then he had a long surgery. Got a DVT in one of them, threw a PE, nearly died. Hematologist said WTF get rid of those. Do he did.
We did pay deductible and some for the veins stuff but really prefer that to the alternative.

[Anonymous]

I have terrible vein pain in my right leg. I was diagnosed with venous insufficiency pre Covid. I went to a vascular surgeon. Never got the ablation due to timing. I am reconsidering as the pain and pressure is occasionally unbearable. It feels like my leg is going to explode from the inside.

I exercise, walk 10000 steps a day, not overweight and don't drink or smoke. The surgeon said it can be genetic.

Is the ablation (radio waves or laser) not worth it? My father is has terrible veins and is not overweight etc... I am late 40s.