DO ALL VEIN TREATMENTS REQUIRE A REFERRAL?
No. There are many vein diseases that, based on severity and treatment, may require a referral from your doctor in order to be covered by MSP, however, certain vein issues—such as reticular and spider veins—may fall under a cosmetic treatment umbrella and not require a referral.
Cosmetic treatments are not covered by MSP.
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR A COSMETIC VEIN TREATMENT OF MY SPIDER VEINS?
Easy! Simply call our friendly front desk at 250-708-0102
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
(closed 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM daily for lunch)
Or fill out our contact form to request a call back!
I DON’T HAVE A DOCTOR ANYMORE. HOW DO I GET A REFERRAL?
If you do not have a personal doctor anymore, you can get a referral by going to a local drop-in clinic, or using a virtual doctor!
Check out some of these services to access your preferred virtual health systems:
Health Link BC
Island Health
TELUS Health MyCareTM
(These links will take you to external resources. These links are being provided for your convenience only; you may choose any virtual platform you prefer. The Vein Clinic and Dr. Jacobsohn have no affiliation with these resources, and do not warranty any experiences).
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY FIRST VISIT?
At your initial consultation covered by MSP with your required physician’s referral letter, Dr. Jacobsohn will use the assistance of an in-office ultrasound exam as well as health history to determine optional treatments. On occasion, patients will require an arterial ultrasound or Deep vein ultrasound that is only performed at a hospital or island ultrasound clinic to determine optional treatment.
Currently, Dr. Jacobsohn is booked far in advance for new patient consultations and appointments. Please have patience with our staff who will work hard at booking a suitable appointment for you.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?
Sclerotherapy injections cannot be repeated in a 21-day period. Dr. Jacobsohn will indicate the number of suggested sessions you will need after your initial consultation. Each treatment requires 15-25 minutes of your time depending on the size of the required treatment area. After completion of your treatments, we recommend a 6-month checkup or 1-year checkup.
ARE THE SCLEROTHERAPY INJECTION TREATMENTS PAINFUL?
Although it varies from person to person, there is a common sensation of stinging or burning in the minutes following treatment but will usually dissipate quite quickly.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
Treatment may cause bruising or lumps at the site of injection. This is a normal response to treatment. Hard lumps and bruising will dissipate in 3-4 weeks.
If hard lumps and bruising do not dissipate in 3-4 weeks and are uncomfortable you may require an appointment for draining as your body has not metabolized the collapsed vein at the normal rate. This is not an emergency; this is to reduce any discomfort that results. If this is required please contact our office staff to book an appointment.
ARE THERE COMPLICATIONS?
Despite our detailed history and examination, there is always the possibility of an allergic reaction to medication, tape or bandages. At the sign of irregularity, do not hesitate to call our clinic.
WHAT DOES MSP COVER?
The Medical Service Plan (MSP) has established standards for determining medical versus cosmetic problems. MSP pays for your initial consultation with a referral from either your family physician or a walk-in clinic physician. If a 6 month period elapses since your last scheduled visit, a re-referral is required again for MSP to pay their portion of continued appointments.
For all sclerotherapy treatments, a fee is charged directly and paid on the date of service by the patient to cover the cost of therapeutic drugs and tensor bandages used.
WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT OPTIONS?
Payment is due on the date of service and can be made with a Credit Card (excluding American Express), Cheque, Debit or Cash.
WHAT DOES MY EXTENDED HEALTH INSURANCE COVER?
Individual extended health insurance plans may cover a minimal amount of varicose vein sclerotherapy injections, not spider vein sclerotherapy injections. They may also cover compression stockings depending on your individual plan. Our office does not directly bill any private extended-health insurance company but will provide appropriate receipts for all patients.
DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY?
Yes! We have two: our surgical cancellation policy and our in-office cancellation policy.
Surgical cancellation policy:
All surgery appointments must be canceled or changed with no later than 2 weeks’ notice prior to the date of your surgery at Nanaimo Regional General hospital by contacting Dr. Jacobsohn’s office directly. Failure to be present at the time of a scheduled appointment or arriving 15 minutes later than said scheduled time will be recorded as a “no-show” unless you have notified Nanaimo Regional General hospital of your late arrival and they have approved. If you do not attend a scheduled surgery that you have been booked for, not informing Dr. Jacobsohn’s staff or Nanaimo Regional General hospital as per the required 2-week notice prior, you will not be re-booked for a future date considering this was a “no-show”.
In office cancellation policy:
If it is necessary to cancel your scheduled appointment, we require that you contact our office 48 hours in advance. Failure to be present at the time of a scheduled appointment or arriving 15 minutes later than said scheduled time will be recorded as a “no-show” in our office. We consider your appointment a “no-show” attendance when there is no contact made to cancel an appointment prior to the 48-hour notice requirement, or contact to allow notice of late arrival. Patients will be subject to dismissal from our practice on the second occurrence of a “no-show” appointment.