Until November 1, 2011 the cost of Endovenous Laser Ablation (ELA) has been totally out of pocket for patients but from this date onwards there is a Medicare Item number that will offset some of the cost of laser. Often ELA is combined with either Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy or Ambulatory Phlebectomies but these procedures have always been associated with Medicare Item numbers.

Many people ask "Why is Laser treatment for varicose veins so expensive?"

Unlike Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy that requires some sclerosant, some syringes and needles ......... as well as a perfect technique.

Endovenous laser ablation (ELA) requires a large number of expensive consumables and expensive equipment. Because ELA is performed using disposable sterile drapes (not unlike an operation but without the general anaesthetic) and requires limited use (sometimes only 1 use) laser fibres, the cost of the procedure is heavily impacted by the cost of these items.

Another contributing factor is the laser machines that are commonly used cost between $50,000 - $100,000 and this must also be factored into the cost of treatment.

UPDATE! Fortunately on November 1, 2011 Medicare introduced on an Item number associated with ELA that will now give patients a rebate that covers some of the cost of the procedure. 

Unfortunately there is not. The situation is perplexing because the procedure is a better alternative to surgery and is replacing surgery throughout the world. In fact, in the U.S.A., insurance companies no longer cover surgery because when the risk / cost / benefit analysis is done it is clear that conventional surgery just doesn’t stack up against the non-surgical alternatives of Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) and ELA. Medicare have indicated that there will at some stage be an Item number for ELA, but have not yet provided one. I have no doubt that Australia will follow the American model and that convention surgery (vein “stripping”) will continue to be replaced by the less invasive and more effective non-surgical procedures of UGS and ELA.

UPDATE:   November 1, 2011 Medicare introduced on an Item number associated with ELA that will now give patients a rebate that covers some of the cost of the procedure.