Sclerotherapy: HSA Eligibility

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment for varicose veins, spider veins and other venous disorders that is designed to reduce their visibility and is done primarily for cosmetic reasons. This procedure is done by injecting a chemical called a sclerosant (usually a salt solution) into a vein to effectively eliminate it. The chemical will cause damage to the innermost lining of the blood vessel, which will result in a clot that causes the vein to scar and inevitably forcing blood to re-route into healthier veins. Eventually, this collapsed vein will be re-absorbed into the collective tissue, where it will fade from view.

While patients may feel some mild discomfort after this solution is injected into the veins, by and large, sclerotherapy is relatively painless and the procedure will only take about 15-30 minutes to complete. These procedures typically will treat multiple veins in each session, and the total number depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the overall medical condition of the patient. Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure and can be performed in the comfort of a doctor's office.

Why is sclerotherapy not always an eligible treatment?

Sclerotherapy is primarily considered to be a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins. Consumer-directed healthcare accounts are designed to help account holders pay for necessary medical services and products. However, sclerotherapy can be used to treat night aches, cramping and swelling associated with venous disorders, and therefore it's important to check with your benefits administrator to see if it is eligible under your plan with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).