Frequently Asked Questions About Varicose & Spider Veins in Alcoa, TN

Most insurance companies will pay for varicose vein treatment. However, each insurance plan is different so your insurance company will determine if they deem it medically necessary. Our office staff will work with your insurance company to provide them the information they need to make a well-informed decision.  With only a few exceptions, all insurance companies will require a documented period (2 weeks to 3 months depending on the insurer) of conservative treatment, prior to considering the authorization of the recommended venous treatment. The treatment of spider veins is considered to be cosmetic by the insurance companies, therefore is not covered.

If you have varicose vein disease, you should allow between 45 minutes to 1½ hour for each appointment.  It normally will take several visits over a period of a year to complete treatment. Then, yearly follow-up appointments may be recommended to determine if you have developed new varicose veins.

We offer 30-minute appointments with approximately 20 minutes of treatment time with sclerotherapy and/or Cutera® Excel V™. For spider veins on the legs, each session is $350, however if several sessions are needed, we offer packages to offset some of the cost. At the screening appointment, our experienced staff will tell you approximately how many sessions are needed to address your spider veins. Treating spider veins on other parts of the body will vary in cost.

The treated veins have been shutdown. Those will not come back however you might develop new ones. Having varicose veins is a disease. Once you have had them, you are prone to develop others.

With varicose veins, the valves are causing the blood to reflux and not allowing the blood to flow properly through the body. Due to the reflux, blood is being pulled from good veins. Spider veins are broken veins on the surface whereas the varicose veins are deep within the leg.  Spider veins can be a symptom of varicose veins. Treating spider veins without knowing if there is an underlying issue or varicose vein causing them, will not deliver the desired results.

The following may contribute to the cause varicose and spider veins: genetics, occupation (prolonged standing or sitting), gender, age, pregnancy, trauma, and congenital disease.

Varicose veins, depending on the severity and location, can be treated with endovenous thermal ablation treatment and/or ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.

All of the treatments offered by Tennessee Vein Center are performed within the comfort of our office at 431 Marilyn Lane in Alcoa. We are conveniently located just past the airport.

Spider veins and varicose veins are common vein conditions, but they differ in appearance and symptoms.
Spider veins are small, thin red, blue, or purple lines that appear close to the surface of the skin. They often look like webs or branches and are usually flat. Spider veins are typically cosmetic and rarely cause discomfort.
Varicose veins are larger, bulging, and twisted veins that are raised above the skin. They may appear blue or dark purple and can cause symptoms such as aching, heaviness, swelling, cramping, itching, or tired legs.
If you’re unsure which you have—or if you’re experiencing leg symptoms—a venous screening with ultrasound can identify the type of vein issue and determine whether there is an underlying circulation problem. Early evaluation helps guide the most effective treatment options.

Tennessee Vein Center offers a comprehensive approach to treating spider veins. We are able to treat them with the Cutera® Excel V™ Laser, and/or sclerotherapy injections. Depending on your specific need, we can use either of these of both during your treatment.

Once you have received treatment by Tennessee Vein Center, we encourage you return to normal activity. You are able to drive yourself home as only local anesthesia is used during the procedures.

Once the vein has been shut down by either injections or laser treatment, the body will absorb the vein naturally. We do not remove it. Removing the vein has a tendency to damage other veins.

Once the vein has been shut down by either injections or laser treatment, the body will absorb the vein naturally. We do not remove it. Removing the vein has a tendency to damage other veins.

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