The vascular and venous medical specialty, like all medicine, is a science. Providers study for years before beginning to practice, and researchers dedicate years to finding breakthroughs that the next generation will build on. Choosing a specialist, however, is a personal, emotional decision. Trusting a doctor to treat your body can be frightening, no matter how qualified they are. And not all specialists are right for all patients. Thankfully, the right provider is out there, and here are some tips to narrow down the perfect one for you:
- Confirm they take your insurance: Unless money is no object for you, nothing will make a bad match like a bad bill. Most vein procedures are covered by insurance, but always double check before committing to treatment. Important questions to ask your provider include: Are you IN network with my insurance plan? Have I met my deductible? Is there a copayment? There are thousands of medical insurance policies, and each one can have its own set of rules. Calling member services for your specific plan, prior to treatment, can help provide clarification as well.
- Ask around: Varicose vein treatments are common, especially after middle age, so chances are you may know someone who has undergone treatment. Money can buy flashy websites and ads, but it does not guarantee personality, skill, bedside manner or experience. Word-of-mouth and a friend’s personal insight are golden.
- Do your research: A thorough online search of practices near you is simple to do, and it will help you get a sense of your options. Reviews on Google, Doctor.com or Vitals.com can also be helpful. Look up the credentials of the physician you are researching. Specifically, what is their board certification? Ideally, you will want to find a vascular surgeon for their specified education and fellowship training. The specialty of vascular medicine/surgery encompasses veins and arteries. The recent explosion of “vein centers” is mostly attributed to private equity investment. This rapid growth has attracted a multitude of physicians with a wide variety of “non-vascular” board certifications. Physicians who are not board certified in vascular surgery or interventional radiology must learn vein care in a condensed time frame, which typically includes an online certification course in phlebology, and then a three-month preceptorship and hands-on training period to become a “vein specialist.” There is no comparison. Research credentials.
- Call and consult: You’ll learn a lot about a practice from a phone call. If the communication is welcoming and kind, that may be a good indicator that the culture within the practice is the same. How are your questions addressed? Open, honest and patient communication is a positive trait that likely circulates through the entire practice.
- Trust your gut: This is the big one. If for any reason something feels wrong, keep searching for your perfect fit. You have options for a reason, and you should feel comfortable with the medical professionals you are entrusting to care for your body.
We’d be remiss not to say that if you live in the DMV and surrounding areas, Capitol Vein & Laser is a great place to start your search. We’ve been practicing vein treatments for decades, we maintain our facilities with the latest equipment, and our physicians are board-certified vascular surgeons. Our philosophy and mantra is to provide safe care, achieve optimal results, and maintain a kind and comfortable experience. Every patient and every anatomy is different. This means results sometimes do vary. We are proud that 99.9% of our patients are extremely satisfied with their results. If you are part of the 0.1%, please talk to us. Let us know so we can explore other options. We WANT the same excellent results that you want. Together, we can achieve that result. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We’d love to hear from you. Capitol Vein & Laser Centers: Bethesda, MD; Frederick, MD; Hagerstown, MD; Charles Town, WV; Winchester, VA; Chambersburg, PA. 866-695-8346