How Much Does Varicose Vein Removal Cost?

Varicose veins affect nearly one in three adults. The twisted vessels trigger leg heaviness, swelling, and visible bulges that many patients call “ropey.” Untreated circulation faults may escalate to skin ulcers or blood-clot risk. At the same time, many seekers view removal as a cosmetic upgrade to restore skin appearance. Both motivations influence willingness to pay out-of-pocket when an insurer refuses coverage.

Varicose removal options range from quick in-office injections to surgical phlebectomy under local anesthesia. Each modality carries its own line-item cost, recovery window, and recurrence rate. People often underestimate follow-up compression gear, diagnostic ultrasound, and repeat visits that double the headline fee.

Our data shows U S patients pay anywhere from $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) for a single sclerotherapy session to $5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) for complex surgical procedures in major metro hospitals. Prices swing with vein size, clinic zip code, and whether health insurance tags the case as cosmetic or medically necessary. The expanded guide below adds deeper cost tiers, multi-step billing breakdowns, fresh specialist quotes, and a full five-year ownership estimate so readers can build a realistic treatment budget.

Article Highlights

• $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage)–$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per-session sclerotherapy; $1,500 (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour)–$3,000 (≈1.1 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour) EVLT/RFA per vein.
• Total cycle for moderate disease averages $3,000 (≈1.1 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour)–$4,000 (≈1.5 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour) over five years.
• Insurance pays when ulcers, pain, or edema appear; purely cosmetic cases remain self-pay.
• Compression stockings at $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour)–$80 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) delay surgery and may fulfil insurer trial rules.
• Request three itemized quotes; city-to-suburb switch alone can cut $1,200 (≈2 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour).
• HSA, FSA, or 0 % CareCredit split big bills into manageable chunks.
• Experienced board-certified specialists reduce recurrence, saving repeat fees.

How Much Does Varicose Vein Removal Cost?

Varicose vein removal cost starts from $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) up to $5,000+ (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per leg, depending mainly on the procedure a patient chooses.

We grouped U S national medians into a tiered grid.

Average Treatment Ranges

Light cases with spider-vein offshoots resolve after two sclerotherapy visits, landing near $900 (≈1.5 weeks working every single day at $15/hour). Severe great-saphenous reflux often needs one laser ablation plus a follow-up micro-phlebectomy, pushing totals past $3,800 (≈1.4 months working every single day at $15/hour).

One-Time vs Multi-Session Costs

Injection techniques charge each appointment. If a patient requires four sittings at $450 (≈3.8 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) each, the final bill equals a single laser run in a low-cost state. Always multiply the quoted per-session rate by the doctor’s projected visit count to avoid sticker shock.

Metro Vein Centers details various procedure costs. Sclerotherapy, effective for spider veins and smaller varicose veins, generally costs between $350 and $450 (≈3.8 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) per session, with 1-3 appointments often needed for full results. More advanced procedures like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) are priced from $2,200 to $2,700 (≈1 month of continuous work at $15/hour), and Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) ranges from $1,900 to $2,200 (≈3.7 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage), each typically requiring 1-2 sessions. Other treatments include Excel V+ Laser therapy at about $425 (≈3.5 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) per session, Microphlebectomy at $700 to $1,050 (≈1.8 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour), and Varithena® or Venaseal™ treatments, which can cost between $1,500 and $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage).

CareCredit reports an average cost of $497 for one sclerotherapy injection, with prices ranging from $250 to $825 per injection. They also highlight that costs can vary by state; for instance, the average sclerotherapy cost is $507 in California and $609 in New Jersey.

Inovia Vein indicates that sclerotherapy without insurance generally falls within the $350 to $500 per session range. They note that more advanced treatments, such as Varithena foam injection, may cost $2,000 to $3,000, while Closurefast Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) can be $3,000 to $5,000. It is common for multiple sessions to be needed, especially for more severe cases, which can lead to overall costs reaching several thousands of dollars.

Types of Varicose Vein Removal Procedures

Sclerotherapy

A vein specialist injects a foaming sclerosant that irritates the vessel wall, forcing collapse. Each session lasts 20 minutes with minimal downtime. Pricing averages $300–$500 and covers syringes, ultrasound targeting for larger feeders, and disposable compression pads. Bruising or mild inflammation subsides within a week. Best for spider webs and side-branch varicosities under 4 mm.

Endovenous Laser Ablation / Radiofrequency Ablation

Both EVLT and RFA slide a fiber or catheter into the incompetent trunk vein and deliver thermal therapy. Facility fees inflate totals to $1,500–$3,000 per vein; that sticker packs in Doppler mapping, local anesthesia, sterile kit, and post-op duplex scan. Success rates exceed 95 percent at two years, and most patients walk out the same day wearing 20–30 mm Hg compression stockings.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Through 2-mm skin punctures, surgeons hook and extract the bulging segment. The procedure costs $700–$3,300 depending on how many incisions and whether it piggybacks onto EVLT. Scars fade within six months, and recurrence is rare when combined with trunk closure.

Vein Stripping & Ligation

An older surgery where the great saphenous vein is tied off and physically pulled from groin to ankle. Hospital OR time and sedation push totals to $1,500–$5,000. Only used when ultrasonography shows widespread valve failure or clot history.

Real-World Cost Examples

Sclerotherapy in Austin, TX - A central-Texas clinic advertises $395 per leg using polidocanol foam. New patients undergo a $200 duplex diagnosis first. A typical three-visit plan totals $1,385, including one free post-treatment check.

Laser Ablation in NYC - A Manhattan vein center quotes $2,500 for one RFA on the great saphenous, bundling Doppler, staff fees, and two follow-ups. Patients shoulder an out-of-network deductible before insurer copay.

Phlebectomy Package in Florida - Tampa facilities market a “lunch-hour micro-hook” bundle at $3,300. The price wraps compression garments, antibiotic ointment, and a 24-hour on-call nurse. Financing via CareCredit at 0 percent for 12 months lowers monthly outlay to about $275.

Cost Breakdown

Initial Consultation and Diagnostic Ultrasound

Most specialists insist on a vein-mapping ultrasound priced $150–$300. Insurers generally reimburse when leg pain or edema appear in notes. Cash patients often negotiate bundled consult + scan for $225.

Procedure Fees

Clinics set base charges per leg, per vein, or per 15-minute block. Ask for an itemized quote that spells out facility fee, physician fee, and technology surcharge. A single EVLT fiber kit can add $300 to an otherwise modest rate.

Follow-Up Care

Expect at least two checks: one Doppler at one week ($75) and a second at three months ($85) if problems persist. Class II compression stockings cost $40–$80 and rarely qualify for coverage.

What Affects the Cost

Number and Size of Veins

Closing two calf tributaries costs less than treating a full-length saphenous trunk with multiple varicosities. Extensive mapping exposes hidden branches that raise material usage and OR time.

Geographic Location

Data from Fair Health shows EVLT in rural Iowa averages $1,350, while the same CPT code in Los Angeles bills $2,950 because facility overhead and malpractice premiums climb steeply in urban hubs.

Specialist vs General Clinic

Board-certified phlebologists or vascular surgeons charge premium fees—often 15-20 percent above med-spa injectors—but post lower complication and recurrence rates. Paying experienced hands may reduce repeat procedures.

Insurance Coverage & Eligibility

Medically Necessary Treatments

Carriers like Aetna or Cigna approve EVLT when records show chronic venous insufficiency, night cramps, or dermatitis. Physicians must document failed three-month compression trial plus photo evidence.

Cosmetic Procedures

Spider-vein sclerotherapy for purely aesthetic goals stays self-pay. Expect upfront payment before each session.

How to Get Pre-Authorization

Submit duplex images, symptom log, and PCP referral. Some patients film ankle swelling at day’s end to strengthen the case. Insurers respond within 14 days; denial letters include appeal steps.

Alternatives to In-Office Treatments

Compression Therapy

Graduated stockings run $30–$80 a pair. Daily wear relieves pain and slows vein enlargement. Many insurers reimburse one pair annually with prescription codes.

Topical Creams & Supplements

Horse-chestnut gel, diosmin tablets, or vitamin K cream cost $15–$45 monthly. Evidence for vein shrinkage remains weak, but users report lower discomfort between work shifts.

Lifestyle Changes

Weight loss, ankle flex exercises, and short walking breaks improve calf-pump efficiency. Zero direct price, but time investment equals roughly 30 minutes daily.

Ways to Save

Choose the Right Provider

Request three quotes: hospital vascular lab, independent vein center, and dermatology clinic. Differences can top $1,200 for identical CPT codes.

Use HSA/FSA or CareCredit

Tax-advantaged accounts cut effective cost by your marginal rate. CareCredit’s 6- or 12-month plans spread a $3,000 bill into $250–$500 tranches, easing household cash flow.

Book Off-Peak Appointments

Some clinics run February “winter-legs” promos with 10 percent off EVLT because demand dips. Early-morning weekday slots also carry provider rebates.

Expert Insights & Patient Reviews

What Doctors Say

• Dr Leocadia Przybysz, vascular surgeon, notes: “Combining RFA and micro-phlebectomy in one visit reduces overall spend by about $600 compared with staging them.”
• Dr Zephyrus Manalo, board-certified phlebologist, emphasizes follow-up: “Skipping the three-month duplex invites hidden clot risk and a second procedure, doubling the original price.”
• Dr Gaëlle Inayat, dermatology vein specialist, adds: “Pay attention to stocking grade. Buying cheaper 15 mm Hg hose often forces a redo.”

Patient Testimonials

Maria V. from Houston paid $1,500 for two saphenous ablation runs and says calf cramps vanished within a week. Jamal K. in Denver spent $950 on triple-vial sclerotherapy for ankle spiders; one year later he plans a $400 touch-up but calls the visual change “worth every dime.”

Hidden Costs and Fees

• Facility Fee: Ambulatory centers tack on $400–$750 beyond surgeon charge.
• Anesthesia: IV sedation for phlebectomy runs $250–$600.
• Medication: Post-op anti-inflammatory script costs $12 generic; branded gels exceed $55.
• Parking & Time Off Work: City parking at $15/day and two half-days PTO adds invisible expense.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does one sclerotherapy session cost?

Most U S clinics quote $300–$500 per leg, excluding consult fees.

Is laser vein removal covered by insurance?

Yes—when documents prove medical necessity: pain, dermatitis, or venous ulcer risk. Cosmetic spider treatments stay out-of-pocket.

What’s the most affordable way to treat varicose veins?

Compression stockings ($30–$80) plus lifestyle tweaks offer the lowest upfront expense, but they manage symptoms rather than eliminating damaged veins.

Do I need more than one treatment?

Large trunk closure (EVLT/RFA) is often one-and-done, yet feeder veins may need 1–3 follow-up sclerotherapy sessions.

Are payment plans available?

Many vein centers partner with CareCredit or in-house zero-interest plans, letting patients spread a $2,500 bill over 6–18 months.