Price of varicose vein treatment: referral, coverage and co-payment

Price of varicose vein treatment: free with a referral, or self-pay?

At Kirurgen.dk, we focus on patients referred by their GP. For patients in Danish public health insurance group 1, assessment and medically indicated treatment are free of charge when covered by the clinic's public agreement. We clarify coverage before your care begins.

We do not offer private self-pay treatment or purely cosmetic procedures.

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How do referral and coverage work?

Whether treatment of varicose veins is covered by the Danish public health insurance depends on the referral, the service and the rules in force. For patients in Danish public health insurance group 1, a referral from your GP is required for a pathway with us. Different referral, subsidy and possible co-payment rules apply to group 2. At the preliminary assessment, we review whether your symptoms and scan findings point to a treatment covered by the clinic's agreement.

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What applies to insurance group 2?

Different rules on referrals, subsidies and possible co-payments apply to patients in public health insurance group 2. Contact the clinic to clarify the arrangements for your care.

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Why is laser treatment recommended over classic surgery for a leaking main vein?

For symptomatic varicose veins where the scan shows a leaking main vein in the leg, the European vascular surgery guideline (ESVS 2022) recommends heat-based closure from inside the vein (laser) over classic surgery (stripping) and foam treatment. This reflects:

• Treatment under local anaesthesia with no overnight stay
• Less bleeding and swelling
• Often a shorter recovery than after open vein surgery, depending on the extent of the procedure and your symptoms
• High closure rate of the trunk vein at 5 years, about 7 per cent recanalised in a Danish randomised trial, while new visible varicose veins appear in a proportion of patients over the same period (Lawaetz, Int Angiol 2017, PMID 28217989)

The recommendation applies to this patient group, not to side branches or thread veins. What is relevant for you depends on the scan findings, your symptoms and an overall clinical assessment. Read more about laser treatment with EVLT.

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What about pregnancy?

During an ongoing pregnancy, planned varicose vein treatment is advised against apart from particular exceptions, and treatment is normally deferred until after delivery (NICE CG168). Read more about varicose veins during pregnancy.

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Questions and answers

Is varicose vein treatment free with a referral? If you are in insurance group 1 and have a valid referral, assessment and medically indicated treatment are free of charge when the services are covered by the clinic's agreement with the public health insurance. Coverage is always clarified before your care begins.

What if I am in insurance group 2? Different rules on referrals, subsidies and possible co-payments apply to patients in group 2. Contact the clinic to clarify the arrangements for your care.

Can I get treatment without a referral? We do not offer private self-pay treatment or purely cosmetic procedures. Speak to your GP about a referral.

What does treatment of spider veins cost? We do not offer treatment of spider veins as a purely cosmetic service.

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Summary

• At Kirurgen.dk, we focus on patients referred by their GP.
• Group 1: assessment and medically indicated treatment are free of charge when covered by the clinic's agreement.
• Group 2: different rules on referrals, subsidies and co-payments apply. Contact the clinic.
• We do not offer private self-pay treatment or purely cosmetic procedures.

Speak to your GP about a referral. If you already have a referral, call the clinic to arrange an appointment. See also the overview of treatment options and price and referral.