Varicose Vein Treatment
You can get cover for varicose vein treatment with Medicare or a Silver Insurance Policy, provided the treatment is medically necessary. Compare the costs of both below.
Key takeaways
- Medically necessary treatment of varicose veins can be covered by Medicare or health insurance.
- Private health insurance cover is available with gold- or silver-tier hospital policies.
- The cost of varicose vein treatment without cover ranges from $500 to over $10,000.
Will Medicare cover varicose vein treatment?
To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, the varicose vein procedure needs to be medically necessary and not just cosmetic. You'll find hospital treatment for varicose veins under Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers including 32523, 32500, 32504 and 32507.
For treatment in a public hospital, you should have minimal to no out of pocket costs. In a private hospital, Medicare will cover between 75% and 85% of the MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule) fee, then you and your health insurer will cover the rest. Here are the recommended MBS fees - note that most private hospitals will charge more than this.
- 32507: The recommended MBS fee is $550.30.
- 32523: The recommended MBS fee is $550.30.
- 32504: For multiple excision of tributaries, the MBS fee is $276.05.
- 32500: The recommended MBS fee is $113.20.
Private health insurance for varicose veins
Private surgery for varicose veins is generally covered under heart and vascular services on silver or gold policies. A silver policy generally costs around $20* a week and will usually cover surgery as well as laser and endovenous therapies.
Like Medicare, private surgery for varicose veins must be medically necessary to be covered by the majority of insurers. The removal of spider veins, for instance, usually isn't covered by insurance as it's often only done for cosmetic reasons.
Health insurance policies that cover varicose vein treatment
Here are some policies from Finder partners that will cover medically necessary treatment for varicose veins in a hospital. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $101,000 income and living in Sydney.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins occur when valves in your veins are weakened or damaged. There are a number of reasons people develop varicose veins.
- Age: Many people develop varicose veins with age, as the veins that regulate blood flow deteriorate. There's little you can do to prevent it.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop varicose veins, often during pregnancy or menopause. Hormone treatments like the pill may also contribute.
- Genetics: It's possible varicose veins are hereditary, so you may have genes that increase your change of developing them.
- Health: A poor diet, smoking and obesity can increase your risk or varicose veins. It's also important you don't sit and stand still for long periods of time.
Treatment options for varicose veins vary depending on severity but may include lifestyle changes, the use of compression stockings or a range of surgical treatments.
How much does varicose vein treatment cost?
The cost of varicose vein treatment - without health insurance or Medicare coverage - depends on your symptoms. Start by speaking to your GP, who should then refer you to a specialist. The specialist is best placed to outline your options. The table below lists come of the cost estimates for varicose vein treatments we've found online.
| Treatment | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Consult and scan | Around $300 | A small Medicare rebate may be available with a GP referral. |
| Sclerotherapy | From $500 - $1,200+ per treatment | Moderate to severe varicose veins often require multiple treatments. |
| Vein Glue | From $2,000 to $3,250+ | Generally pain-free, and does not require compression stockings. |
| Laser treatments | From $3,400 to $10,500+ | Several treatment types are available, and their costs will vary. |
| Compression stocks | Around $110 a pair | These are generally used after another treatment. |
How much does health insurance cost?
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what their bill looked like in March 2026.
- Extras only: $53
- Basic: $90
- Bronze: $144
- Silver: $184
- Gold: $285
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