If you’ve been thinking about vein treatment, but are feeling hesitant to actually book a consultation, one of your major sticking points could be the potential cost of such a procedure.
If this is true, you’re not alone. According to KFF, one in four adults report that they have delayed or avoided necessary healthcare due to the cost within the past year.
However, as the end of the year draws closer, an opportunity is presenting itself for those who are insured and are looking for a way to get vein treatment.
At our Milwaukee, Wisconsin vein clinic, we frequently have conversations with patients about pricing and how best to incorporate this needed care into their lives. That’s why today, we’re going to get into why right now might be the ideal time to get vein treatment — and it’s all thanks to your deductible.
What is an Insurance Deductible?
To provide some needed context, an insurance deductible is the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket for covered medical expenses before your health insurance starts to pay its share.
Every year, your insurance sets a deductible based on your specific plan. As noted by USA Today, the average deductible for a single person on a health plan from their employer was $1,735 in 2023, though your plan may have a higher or lower deductible.
Once that deductible has been reached for the year, your insurance will typically cover a significant portion, or the entirety, of medical costs that are incurred in the rest of the year.
For example, if your deductible is $2,000, and you spent that much on medical care earlier this year, you may now have the opportunity to seek additional medical treatment while having a sizable amount of the costs covered by your insurer.
The Benefits of Scheduling Vein Treatment After Meeting Your Deductible
Now that we’re entering autumn, the end of the year is in sight. As a result, many insured individuals are finding that they’ve already met their insurance deductible, either through previous medical expenses, surgeries, or visits to their doctor.
If you’re in this group, or are nearing your deductible, now could be the perfect time to consider scheduling varicose vein treatment.
There are a few reasons for this. First, as mentioned before, booking an appointment for vein treatment after hitting your deductible means that your insurance is more likely to cover a significant amount of the expenses for vein treatment.
Second, getting vein treatment after you’ve hit your deductible will allow you to maximize your health benefits. As most insurance plans reset in January, by postponing vein treatment, you’re losing the advantage provided to you this year by already having met your deductible. In short, addressing varicose vein issues before the new year allows you to get the most out of your healthcare plan before your deductible resets.
Finally, there are some more practical considerations. While summer often involves travel and significant movement, winter is frequently a more sedentary time — especially with how cold it can get in Wisconsin. While recovery for vein treatment is usually short, fewer work and travel commitments may make it easier for you to schedule in treatment while allowing for plenty of time to recover.
Will My Vein Treatment Be Covered by Insurance?
The acceptance of varicose vein treatment by your insurance will depend on a few factors.
Most office-based vein treatments, such as endovenous ablation and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, are typically covered by insurance if they meet medical necessity criteria.
What counts as “medically necessary” varies from insurer to insurer, but as a vein clinic who frequently works with insurers, we’ll be able to put you on the right path for coverage. For more information about our relationship with insurers, you can check out our page here.
That said, every insurer is different, and some insurance plans may require that all non-invasive treatments, such as lifestyle modifications or compression therapy, be tried first before approving coverage. We have experience dealing with insurers of all kinds, and if potential coverage is a concern, book a consultation with us and we’ll help you make sure you get the care you need.
Conclusion
With the holiday season drawing closer by the day, the resetting of your deductible is coming nearer and nearer.
If you’ve been putting off vein treatment due to cost concerns, we hope that we’ve convinced you that now is the best time to take action. Waiting until next year means you’ll more than likely have to start over with reaching your deductible, which could in turn lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Scheduling your consultation now ensures that you’ll have plenty of time to discuss treatment options, book the best time for a procedure that fits within your schedule, and recover — all before the end of the year.
By booking an appointment at our Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based clinic as soon as possible, you can take advantage of lower costs and start the new year free from the pain and discomfort of varicose veins.
If you’re interested in vein treatment, get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you make sure you get the treatment you deserve while working with your insurance