Varicose Vein Treatment policy reminder

Most varicose veins can be treated with nonsurgical treatment. Surgery should be limited to those people experiencing such severe pain that it interferes with their daily activities despite less invasive treatments.

According to our Varicose Vein Treatment (Surgery #104) medical policy, medical necessity criteria for surgery apply to larger varicose veins that protrude above the surface as a result of valve incompetence rather than to telangiectatic dermal veins commonly referred to as spider veins.

The majority of varicose veins do not cause significant pain or functional impairment; therefore, surgical procedures to treat varicose veins are generally considered cosmetic procedures. We encourage you to review the guidelines and criteria outlined in our medical policy to advise your patients appropriately.

Note: This policy will be updated on May 1.

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