What private varicose vein treatment costs

Wanting a sense of the cost before committing to anything is reasonable, and the answer comes in parts rather than as one figure. Which parts apply depends on what the consultation and investigations find. This article sets out what each one involves, what makes one quote differ from another, and how paying for yourself compares with claiming on insurance.

Why nobody can quote you a price before the scan

It is the first question most people want answered, and the one that is hardest to answer over the phone. Two people can have legs that look much the same from the outside and need quite different treatment, because what matters is not how the veins look but which ones underneath are affected.

That is what a duplex ultrasound scan is for. It maps the flow in the deep and superficial veins of the leg and shows exactly where valves are failing and blood is running the wrong way. Until that map exists, any figure is unreliable, and an estimate could be out by hundreds of pounds in either direction.

So the honest answer to "what will this cost" is: the consultation and then if indicated the scan come first, and they determine everything after them.

What you are actually paying for

1. 1
   The consultation

   You see Mr Sidloff, describe the symptoms and how long they have been going on, and he will examine your legs. This is also where you say what you want out of treatment, which genuinely changes the recommendation. If he thinks you may be suffering from varicose veins, he will likely recommend a duplex scan.

2. 2
   The duplex ultrasound scan

   A painless scan, usually done standing, that shows which veins are refluxing. It is the single most important piece of information that decides which treatment is appropriate, which is why the scan comes before any recommendation about treatment.

3. 3
   The procedure itself

   Priced according to what the scan found, your preferences and what is recommended — which technique, and whether one leg or both.

4. 4
   The follow-up

   Reviewing the result, checking the treatment has been successful and that you are satisfied, and dealing with anything that needs attention afterwards.

What makes one quote different from another

Four things account for nearly all of the variation:

• One leg or two. Treating both legs costs more than one, though not double — much of the cost is in the session rather than the leg.
• Which technique the scan points to. Radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy and avulsions are different procedures with different costs. The scan decides which is suitable, alongside your preference.
• Whether more than one technique is needed. A refluxing main trunk and visible surface veins are two separate problems, and treating both in one session is common.
• Whether thread veins are involved. These are priced per session and treated separately, because they are a different problem from varicose veins even when they appear alongside them.

What "all-in" means, and why it matters when comparing

We price procedures on an all-in basis: the figure quoted covers the procedure and the follow-up afterwards. That is worth knowing when you are comparing quotes, because conventions vary between providers.

Self-pay or insurance?

Both are common. The practical differences are worth knowing before you start.

If you are paying for yourself, you can book a consultation directly — no referral is needed.

If you intend to claim on private medical insurance, nearly all insurers want pre-authorisation before any treatment goes ahead. The order matters, because most policies will not reimburse treatment that was arranged without authorisation. We can help guide you through this with your insurer.

Insurers generally cover varicose veins treated for medical reasons rather than appearance. NICE guidance sets out when someone with varicose veins should be referred to a vascular service, and it is a useful yardstick for whether a problem counts as symptomatic:

• varicose veins causing troublesome symptoms — typically pain, aching, discomfort, swelling, heaviness or itching
• skin changes in the lower leg, such as pigmentation or eczema, thought to be caused by long-standing venous problems
• a hard, painful vein with suspected underlying venous incompetence
• a venous leg ulcer, meaning a break in the skin below the knee that has not healed within two weeks, or one that has healed
• bleeding from a varicose vein, which NICE says warrants immediate referral

Thread veins treated purely for appearance are not usually covered by any insurer, and are almost always self-pay.

Where to find the current figures

Indicative prices for consultations, scans and each procedure are listed on the prices page. They are indicative because in some circumstances these may change: the page tells you what each element costs so you can be happy with the expectations prior to committing to a consultation.

We understand that not being able to give a complete upfront cost before you see a surgeon can be frustrating, but it would really be impossible to give you an accurate figure without all of the information.

If you would rather simply ask, the enquiry form reaches our secretary, and a straightforward question about cost will get a straightforward answer.