When conservative treatments fail to provide relief from symptomatic varicosities, the following surgical options are eligible for reimbursement when reported for symptomatic varicose veins (454.0-454.8). When reported for non-symptomatic varicose veins (454.9) these surgical options are considered cosmetic. Participating, preferred, or network providers can bill the member for these denied services.

Ligation and Stripping (procedure codes 37700-37785)
Ligation and stripping procedures are beneficial in the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins and, as such, are covered surgical services.

In some cases, limited sclerotherapy may be necessary during the routine surgical postoperative period to achieve a better and more complete surgical result. As such, sclerotherapy performed by the surgeon, his associate or, the assistant surgeon during the postoperative period following vein ligation and stripping procedures is part of the global surgical allowance. A participating, preferred, or network provider cannot bill the member separately for these services.

Sclerotherapy (procedure codes 36470 and 36471)
This service is eligible for payment for those patients who meet all of the following criteria:

• The patient should be symptomatic (e.g., the varicosities are resulting in pain, burning, etc.).
• There is no sapheno-femoral insufficiency or disease/occlusion of the deep venous system.
• The veins are demonstrable (bulging) above the surface of the skin.
• The varicosities are at least 5 millimeters in size.
• Medical management (e.g., compression therapy) has failed.

Claims for multiple injections should be processed in accordance with the multiple surgery guidelines on Medical Policy Bulletin S-100. All secondary injections should be priced at 50% of the allowance.

Description:
The injection of sclerosing solution into varicose leg veins irritates the lining of the vein causing it to close. The blood flow is then diverted through healthier veins.

Endovenous Radiofrequency Obliteration of the Greater Saphenous Vein (procedure code S2130)
Endovenous radiofrequency obliteration is a covered service.

Description:
Endovenous radiofrequency (e.g., the VNUS Closure procedure) is a minimally invasive treatment used as an alternative to saphenous vein ligation and stripping in patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities (e.g., varicose veins). It involves the use of a catheter temporarily inserted into the patient’s saphenous vein. This procedure utilizes radiofrequency energy at the catheter tip to heat the vein to approximately 85 degrees, which results in contraction of the vein. As the catheter is slowly withdrawn from the vein, the heat causes the vein to collapse and occlude thus terminating the reflux that causes the patient’s symptoms.

Laser Obliteration of the Greater Saphenous Vein (procedure codes 76986, S2131)
Laser obliteration with ultrasonic guidance is a covered service.

NOTE:

Procedure codes 17106-17108 should not be used to report laser destruction of varicose veins.

Description:
Laser obliteration of the greater saphenous vein is also a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in a fashion similar to endovenous radiofrequency obliteration. A bare tipped laser fiber is introduced into the greater saphenous vein under ultrasonic guidance (76986). The laser is activated and slowly removed along the course of the saphenous vein.

Non-Invasive Laser Treatment (procedure code 37799)
Non-invasive laser treatment of veins is not covered. This method of treatment, e.g., Vasculite Nd Yag, intense pulsed light (IPL), performed for small superficial, reticular, and telangiectatic veins is cosmetic. A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for this denied service.

In addition, this method of treatment for larger veins is considered investigational and, therefore, is not covered. Scientific evidence does not demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment. A participating, preferred, or network provider can bill the member for the denied service.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy (e.g., Stab Phlebectomy)(procedure codes 37765, 37766)
Ambulatory phlebectomy is an eligible service.

Description:
Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed as an alternative to ligation and stripping of veins that are too large for successful sclerotherapy. Prior to the procedure, the veins are located using a Doppler ultrasound. After the vein is marked, it is removed through pinhole incisions made along the length of the vein.

Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy (procedure code 37785)
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TPPS) is considered an eligible alternative treatment of varicose veins.

Description:
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (e.g., TriVex System) is a minimally invasive procedure in which an endoscopic illuminator is inserted into the vein to allow visualization of the varicose vein clusters. The veins are then ablated using a vein resector. During destruction of the veins, the debris is removed from the wound using suction.

The following services are not eligible for reimbursement:

Echosclerotherapy (procedure code S2202)
Echosclerotherapy is beyond the experimental/investigational stage but it is not generally accepted by the medical community as clinically useful as treatment for varicose veins. Therefore, it is not medically necessary. A participating, preferred, or network provider cannot bill the member for the denied service.

Description:
During echosclerotherapy (S2202), duplex ultrasound is used to guide the injections and enhance the precision of saphenous vein sclerotherapy. However, there are no proven indications that echosclerotherapy provides any advantage over and above conventional methods of treatment such as sclerotherapy or ligation and stripping.

Treatment of Spider Veins
Any method of treatment for reticular veins and/or superficial telangiectases, including laser, is not covered. Treatment of these superficial veins is primarily cosmetic in nature.

• The injection of sclerosing solution into telangiectases such as spider veins, hemangiomata and angiomata should be reported with codes 36468 and 36469).
• Laser destruction of reticular veins and/or telangiectasis (e.g., VascuLite) should be reported with code 37799 (Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery).

Procedure codes 17106-17108 should not be used to report the treatment of reticular veins and/or spider veins.

Participating, preferred, or network providers can bill the member for services denied as cosmetic.

See Medical Policy Bulletin S-28 for information regarding Cosmetic Surgery.

Description

Varicose veins, which usually occur in the lower extremities, are dilated superficial veins whose valves have become incompetent, permitting reversed blood flow when the extremities are in the dependent position. The vascular dilatation results from increased pressure within the veins, as often occurs if the individual stands for long periods of time. Genetics, pregnancy and obesity contribute to the development of varicose veins.

Symptoms, which are not necessarily related to the size of the varicosity, include swelling, generalized leg aching, heaviness and restlessness, itching around the veins, leg cramps, leg muscles that tire easily and sores on the skin near the ankle. The veins may also appear stretched, bulging and discolored.

Varicose veins should be treated conservatively with the use of elastic stockings to provide support during daily activities. Since prolonged standing exacerbates the condition, regular walking and elevating the feet as often as possible should be encouraged.

NOTE:

This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.

Injection of sclerosing solution into superficial telangiectases is done primarily for cosmetic purposes and should be processed in accordance with the guidelines for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures (Medical Policy Bulletin S-28)

PRN References

10/1993, Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins, coverage for
05/1994, Sclerotherapy, postoperative, reimbursement for
08/1998, Echosclerotherapy
12/2000, Endovenous radiofrequency obliteration of the greater saphenous vein considered investigational
12/2001, How to report laser destruction of varicosities
12/2002, Endovenous radiofrequency obliteration of the greater saphenous vein eligible for reimbursement
06/2003, Blue Shield pays for specific treatments of symptomatic varicose veins, treatment of spider veins not covered

Closure of the Greater Saphenous Vein with Endoluminal Radiofrequency Thermal Heating of the Vein Wall in Combination with Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Preliminary 6-Month Follow-up, Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 26, Issue 5, May 2000

Treatment of Primary Venous Insufficiency by Endovenous Saphenous Vein Obliteration, Vascular Surgery, Volume 34, No. 3, May/June 2000

Endovenous Techniques for Elimination of Saphenous Reflux: A Valuable Treatment Modality, Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 27, No. 10, October 2001

Closure of the Greater Saphenous Vein with Endoluminal Radiofrequency Thermal Heating of the Vein Wall in Combination with Ambulatory Phlebectomy: 50 Patients with More than 6-Month Follow-up, Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 28, No. 1, January 2002

Controlled Radiofrequency Endovenous Occlusion Using a Unique Radiofrequency Catheter Under Duplex Guidance to Eliminate Saphenous Varicose Vein Reflux: A 2-Year Follow-up, Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 28, No. 1, January 2002

Endovenous Laser Treatment of the Incompetent Greater Saphenous Vein, Journal of Vascular Interventional Radiology, Volume 12, No. 10, October 2001

Endovenous Laser: A New Minimally Invasive Method of Treatment for Varicose Veins – Preliminary Observations Using an 810 nm Diode Laser, Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 27, 2001

Powered Phlebectomy (TriVex) in Treatment of Varicose Veins, Annals of Vascular Surgery, 2002