Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Matz, MD, FRCSC, FACS, founder of Canada Vein Clinics.
Yes, you can use a Health Spending Account (HSA) toward the cost of vein treatment at Canada Vein Clinics. An HSA is money set aside, usually by an employer, for health expenses, and many of our patients use it for the part of their care that provincial health plans do not cover.
What your provincial plan covers
Before thinking about your HSA, it helps to know which parts of your visit are already covered. Coverage depends on the province where you are seen, and covered services need a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
- Ontario: your ultrasound and consultation are covered by OHIP with a referral. Treatment is paid.
- Nova Scotia: your consultation is covered by MSI with a referral. The ultrasound and treatment are paid.
- New Brunswick: your consultation is currently covered by Medicare with a referral. The ultrasound and treatment are paid.
Where an HSA fits
Treatment itself, whether VenaSeal, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), ClariVein or sclerotherapy, is not covered by OHIP, MSI or Medicare. This is the part many patients pay for with a Health Spending Account.
An HSA is not the same as a traditional private insurance plan. Private plans differ a great deal, so please do not assume a plan covers vein treatment. If you have one, check with your plan provider directly.
Because an HSA works from a set balance, it helps to know your total cost first. That is why the order of your visits matters.
Know the cost before you book
After your ultrasound and consultation, if treatment is recommended, you receive a written cost estimate before anything is booked. That estimate is helpful when you speak with your plan administrator, because it shows exactly what you are planning. You can take your time, review your HSA balance and choose timing that suits you.
Questions to ask your plan administrator
- What is my current HSA balance, and when does it renew?
- What documents do you need to process a claim?
- How do I submit a claim, and how long does reimbursement usually take?
- Is there a deadline for submitting claims from this plan year?
These details vary from plan to plan, so your administrator is the best source. Some patients choose to plan treatment around their plan year so they can use the balance available to them.
What treatment day looks like
All of our treatments are done in clinic under local anaesthetic. On treatment day, the vein is mapped again with a mapping ultrasound to plan the treatment, and you walk out the same day. VenaSeal, which uses a medical adhesive and no heat, is the treatment we perform most often. Your physician will explain which option suits your veins and why.
Getting ready for your first visit
Your first appointment is a duplex ultrasound, done while you stand by our ultrasound technician, followed by your consultation with the physician. Please bring shorts so your legs can be scanned easily. Bring your referral details and any questions you have about cost or timing. If you plan to use your HSA, have your plan information handy so you can compare it with your written estimate later. If anything in your estimate is unclear, our team is happy to go over it with you before you decide.
Your next step
To get started, ask your family doctor or nurse practitioner for a referral to Canada Vein Clinics, or call us at 1-888-876-8346. With 15 clinics across Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, you can find the location nearest you. For a fuller look at what is and is not covered, read our guide, Is Varicose Vein Treatment Covered by Insurance in Canada?
