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Ambulatory patients with varicose veins as a result of greater saphenous veins reflux are treated by duplex ultrasound-guided compression. The duplex ultrasound is proposed to enhance the precision of saphenous vein sclerotherapy when performed by experienced practitioners.

See separate policy Endoluminal Radiofrequency Ablation for Varicose Veins and Sclerotherapy.

The use of duplex ultrasound alone to diagnose varicosities of the extremities is considered medically necessary and is a covered service. See Ultrasound policy

None

Investigative service is defined as the use of any treatment procedure, facility, equipment, drug, device, or supply not yet recognized by certifying boards and/or approving or licensing agencies or published peer review criteria as standard, effective medical practice for the treatment of the condition being treated and as such therefore is not considered medically necessary.

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member's specific benefit plan language.

2/14/2002: Investigational definition added

3/5/2002: Prior authorization deleted, hyperlinks added

4/26/2002: Type of Service and Place of Service deleted

6/13/2002: Code Reference section completed, hyperlink added

12/16/2002: CPT codes 93970 and 93971 added

8/5/2005: Code Reference section reviewed, no changes

A search of literature was completed through the MEDLINE database for the period of January 1990 through December 1996. The search strategy focused on references containing the following Medical Subject Headings:

• Echosclerotherapy
• Ultrasound

Non-Covered Codes

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