Vein Procedures - Charlotte Radiology

Spider and Varicose Veins

Spider Veins

While spider veins are generally cosmetic in nature, they can do a lot of damage to a person’s self-image and can also be a sign of deeper vein disease. They appear as thin red or blue jagged lines, offering covering large areas of the legs and even face.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are the result of weak or damaged valves in the veins, causing blood to pool. These veins appear “ropey” and thick, twisting and turning beneath the skin, often causing a significant amount of pain. Risk factors include medical and hereditary history, increasing age, hormonal changes, pregnancy, obesity, immobility and sun exposure.

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TREATMENTS

Sclerotherapy for Spider Veins
Charlotte Radiology offers both medical Sclerotherapy (performed by one of our subspecialized physicians) and cosmetic Sclerotherapy (performed by one of our registered nurses). Medical Sclerotherapy is generally covered by insurance, and is performed as a follow-up to EVLT to treat diseased superficial veins that are linked to previously treated varicose veins. Cosmetic Sclerotherapy is the purely cosmetic treatment of spider veins. In both cases, multiple treatment sessions are generally needed to achieve desired results.

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) for Varicose Veins
EVLT is a non-surgical, minimally invasive outpatient procedure to significantly decrease the recurrence of varicose veins. Using ultrasound guidance, one of our subspecialized radiologists will close off the varicose vein, naturally rerouting blood to healthier veins. 98% of patients report significant pain relief with lasting results – not to mention healthier looking legs. The procedure takes about an hour and is usually covered by insurance.

FAQ

What are the symptoms?

How are spider and varicose veins diagnosed?

Spider Veins – Since non-painful varicose veins can often appear as spider veins, our team will assess your veins through ultrasound mapping first, revealing the shape and size of the veins in your legs and allowing our physicians to accurately locate the unhealthy veins for treatment. If your ultrasound reveals no vein disease, then we’ll treat your spider veins cosmetically through cosmetic Sclerotherapy. If vein disease is present, EVLT is the standard of care to treat the underlying problem. We’ll send documentation to your insurance provider and request maximum coverage for your upcoming procedures. EVLT is generally covered by insurance, along with follow-up medical Sclerotherapy.

Varicose Veins – Our expert team will assess your veins through ultrasound mapping, revealing the shape and size of the veins in your legs and allowing our physicians to accurately locate the unhealthy veins for treatment. If vein disease is present, documentation will be sent to your insurance provider, and Charlotte Radiology will request maximum coverage for your upcoming procedures. EVLT is always performed first, and it’s generally covered by insurance, along with follow-up medical Sclerotherapy. If your ultrasound reveals no vein disease, you may still opt to move forward with cosmetic Sclerotherapy to treat your spider veins, which is a self-pay treatment option.

What should I expect?

Sclerotherapy is performed in one of our Vein Centers. Patients remain awake, and no anesthetic is necessary – there is minimal discomfort during the procedure. You’ll be able to drive and resume regular activities after the treatment. Medical compression stockings will be applied post-procedure and must be worn for about a week. Patients are encouraged to walk immediately following the treatment to encourage blood flow. Side effects include hard, knotty areas, along with tenderness, bruising and swelling. You can immediately resume normal daily activities, but avoid sun exposure, heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, etc. for 3 days.

EVLT: Prior to the procedure, you may request mild sedation medication to help you relax without putting you to sleep. You’ll remain awake and comfortable during the procedure. The area of the leg affected will be numbed with a local anesthetic before a small catheter is inserted. The physician will use a laser to close the impaired vein, naturally rerouting blood to surrounding healthy veins instead. After the procedure, we’ll help you put on compression hose, and you’ll be asked to walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes.

You must wear compression stockings for the first 24 hours to encourage healing and decrease swelling. After 24 hours, you may remove the stockings to sleep; however, they must be worn at all other times over the course of two weeks. You may resume normal activity after the procedure, but no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for two weeks. If you experience any discomfort, you may take Tylenol or ibuprofen. Soreness generally disappears after 24 hours, although mild soreness may last 7-10 days.

How do I prepare?

For Sclerotherapy - Please let us know if you are taking antibiotics 7-10 days before or after sclerotherapy, or if you take aspirin daily. Prior to the procedure, you will be required to purchase prescription-strength compression stockings (do this a week prior to ensure you have them in time!). Shower using antibacterial soap on the day of your procedure. Do not shave your legs the day of the treatment or apply lotion, cream or oils to your legs. Eat a light meal or drink juice one hour before the procedure. For your comfort, you may bring a pair of shorts to wear during the procedure. Please arrive 15 minutes early.

For EVLT – Our vein services coordinator will help schedule appointments and obtain insurance approvals. Prior to EVLT, you will be required to purchase prescription-strength compression stockings (do this a week prior to ensure you have them in time!). Shower and wash your legs thoroughly on the day of the procedure. Do NOT apply lotion, cream or powder. Bring loose fitting pants to wear after the procedure. You must have a driver with you at check-in (he or she may leave during the procedure and return to pick you up).

Which locations offer Sclerotherapy and EVLT?

Is it covered by insurance?

Sclerotherapy – While medical Sclerotherapy is generally covered by insurance as a follow-up treatment to EVLT, cosmetic Sclerotherapy is a cosmetic procedure that is not covered. Patients assume responsibility for out-of-pocket expenses.

EVLT – EVLT is generally covered at 100% following a period of conservative therapy (compression stockings). Our vein services coordinator will work with you to obtain insurance approvals.

What can I expect in terms of billing?

Your insurance card must be presented at your appointment, and payment is expected at the time of service. Estimates for services are provided ahead of time, and patient financing options may be available. Charlotte Radiology will verify insurance coverage and benefits; however, specific questions regarding your policy and coverage should be directed to your insurance carrier, as insurance plans and benefits vary widely. Please check the list below to see if we accept your insurance, but also clarify with your provider regarding your specific plan.

Charlotte Radiology accepts the following insurance plans, but is not limited to:

Aetna
American PPO
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield (excluding Blue Value plan)
CCN
Choice Care Network /Humana
CIGNA Healthcare (excluding Healthspring)
Coventry Healthcare HMO and POS
First Carolina Care(First Plan)
First Health
Great West Healthcare
H.H.C. Group
MAMSI (All products)
Medcost
Medicaid (excluding SC Medicaid HMO and MCO plans)
Medical Claims Resource (MCR)
Medicare
Railroad
Humana
Partners

UHC Medicare Complete
ChoiceCare
National Care Network
New Healthcare Mgmt Group
Perdue Inc.
Preferred Medical Claim Solutions, LLC (PMCS)
Premier Health Systems
Primary Physician's Care (PPC)
Provider Select, Inc. (PSI)
QTC Medical Group
Rutherford Health Plan
SouthCare
State Employees Health Plan (SHP)
Three Rivers Provider Network (TRPN)
Tricare
Tyson Foods Provider Network (TPN)
United Healthcare (excluding Compass Plan)
United Healthcare Medicare
Wellpath
Western Regional PHO

This is the area we get the most questions on via phone, contact us page, etc. given this, we would prefer to over communicate billing info. Procedure specifics (eg cash pay like calcium scoring, breast ultrasound, etc) should be included in general billing and procedure specific.