What is “conservative therapy” and why is it important?
Although varicose veins are a medical condition, insurance carriers will not pay for treatment if your only complaint is cosmetic, i.e. I don’t like how my legs look. If you don’t have any pain and swelling in your legs, then most likely they will be considered cosmetic by your insurance carrier.
Most insurance companies have a requirement of “conservative therapy” that needs be performed prior to approving any medical treatment for varicose veins. This conservative therapy has to be documented in your medical chart, and usually includes the daily use of prescription strength compression hose among other things.
If you have not had prescription hose suggested from another physician, this will probably be part of your initial consultation.
We have provided below the typical conservative therapy instructions for your understanding. These will be reviewed with you during your initial visit.
CONSERVATIVE THERAPY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Wearing of prescription strength compression stockings: These are compression stockings not available without a prescription. We recommend their use on a daily basis.
2. Regular use of pain medications: Taking pain medications such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Tylenol, aspirin, etc. The dosage and frequency of use needs to be in your medical records.
3. Elevation of the legs: Elevating the legs frequently during the day helps decrease leg pain and swelling. Elevate your legs several times during the day, and sleep with the foot of the bed elevated.
4. Avoidance of hot baths, saunas, Jacuzzis, etc.: Heat makes varicose veins swell and will actually worsen pain and swelling of the legs and ankles. A cool shower is preferable to a hot bath.
5. Changes in Activities of Daily Living: Things you cannot do because your leg pain, or how you’ve altered your activities due to the pain. Examples of this would include: having to sit and elevate my legs after housework or shopping. elevation of my legs at the end of the day, or while watching TV, having someone else walk the dog due to your leg pain, the inability to play with your children for long periods of time, inability to cut your grass, or having to stop when half way done to rest due to leg pain, the use of ice packs on your legs after a long day of activity, inability to take long plane or car rides without pain and swelling, etc.