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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.

Who is this cover for?

Key takeaways

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 $97,000 income and living in Sydney.

1 - 25 of 45
Name Product AUFHI-NEW Treatments Price Apply
Frank Better Hospital (Bronze+)
Bronze Plus$750 excess
Frank Health Insurance logo
  • Joint reconstructions
  • Ear nose and throat
  • Blood
  • Back neck and spine
  • Dental surgery
  • Eye excluding cataracts
  • Cancer
  • Lung and chest
  • +17 other treatments covered
$107.28
per month
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All treatments
essentials silver plus
Silver Plus$750 excess
ahm health insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$112.52
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Bupa HI Pty Ltd logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$113.69
per month
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All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Core
Silver Plus$750 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +23 other treatments covered
$113.80
per month
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All treatments
HCF HOSPITAL STANDARD SILVER PLUS
Silver Plus$750 excess
HCF logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$114.03
per month
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All treatments
Frank Health Insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +22 other treatments covered
$117.08
per month
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All treatments
essentials silver plus
Silver Plus$500 excess
ahm health insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$123.04
per month
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All treatments
Bupa HI Pty Ltd logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$123.08
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
HCF HOSPITAL STANDARD SILVER PLUS
Silver Plus$500 excess
HCF logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$125.11
per month
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All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Support
Silver Plus$750 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$126.06
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Core
Silver Plus$500 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +23 other treatments covered
$126.36
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Qantas Insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$127.71
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
GMHBA Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +22 other treatments covered
$136.16
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Qantas Insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$138.05
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Support
Silver Plus$500 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$139.36
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
HCF HOSPITAL STANDARD SILVER PLUS
Silver Plus$250 excess
HCF logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$139.55
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Bupa HI Pty Ltd logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$143.62
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Core
Silver Plus$250 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +23 other treatments covered
$145.43
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Support
Silver Plus$250 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$161.45
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
core silver plus
Silver Plus$750 excess
ahm health insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$167.52
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Frank Max Hospital 750 (Silver+)
Silver Plus$750 excess
Frank Health Insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$169.10
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Bupa HI Pty Ltd logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$171.44
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
core silver plus
Silver Plus$500 excess
ahm health insurance logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +24 other treatments covered
$174.31
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
HCF logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +26 other treatments covered
$174.38
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
Medibank Silver Plus Secure
Silver Plus$750 excess
Medibank Private Limited logo
  • Lung and chest
  • Back neck and spine
  • Cataracts
  • Joint replacements
  • Blood
  • Dental surgery
  • Palliative care
  • Pregnancy and birth
  • +27 other treatments covered
$175.81
per month
Go to Site
All treatments
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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.

TreatmentCostNote
Consult and scanAround $300A small Medicare rebate may be available with a GP referral.
SclerotherapyFrom $500 - $1,200+ per treatmentModerate to severe varicose veins often require multiple treatments.
Vein GlueFrom $2,000 to $3,250+Generally pain-free, and does not require compression stockings.
Laser treatmentsFrom $3,400 to $10,500+Several treatment types are available, and their costs will vary.
Compression stocksAround $110 a pairThese 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 October 2024.
  • Extras only: $60
  • Basic: $97
  • Bronze: $145
  • Silver: $176
  • Gold: $210
Price based on 500+ responses for single hospital or extras insurance.
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Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

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