New Research by New Jersey Vascular Doctor, Lowell S. Kabnick, M.D., Finds Inequality in Health Insurance Policies
Morristown, NJ (PRWEB) August 21, 2014 -- Lowell S. Kabnick, MD, a practicing vascular doctor in New Jersey, has uncovered significant inequalities in health insurance guidelines governing coverage of treatment for symptomatic varicose veins. Dr. Kabnick, whose study appears in the current issue of the medical journal Phlebology, aims to draw attention to the issue and encourage policy reform amongst the nation’s health insurance providers.
Dr. Kabnick, who founded the first vein treatment center in New Jersey exclusively dedicated to treating vein problem and vascular disease, has long been a patient advocate intent on educating the public and pushing for progress among physicians and other arms of health care, including insurance. He conducted his recent study, titled Inequalities of health insurance guidelines for the treatment of symptomatic varicose veins, after noticing marked differences in coverage for vein treatment. “Patients who suffer from the painful symptoms of varicose veins should be able to seek appropriate medical treatment for their condition, and to have their treatment covered by insurance on the basis of consistent, medically supported guidelines,” said Dr. Kabnick.
In the study, Dr. Kabnick and his colleagues analyzed the medical policies of several US health insurers to determine if carriers used evidence-based medicine to create consistent policies for the treatment of patients with symptomatic varicose veins. The study findings reveal a dramatic lack of uniformity among insurance policies, in addition to examples of frequent modification of rules regarding medical necessity, and rising frustration levels among patients and their providers.
“Both patients and vascular physicians are increasingly frustrated, and certainly ill-served, by the clear lack of consistency in the way insurance providers are creating their policy rules for varicose vein treatment,” said Dr. Kabnick. “This issue deserves attention, and patients and providers deserve equitable rules and treatment.”
Whether insurance providers will implement changes to their current policy guidelines is uncertain. But Dr. Kabnick is certainly determined to shine a light on this troubling issue and to continue to push for progress.
For more information, visit: http://www.lowellkabnickmd.com/.
The online version of Dr. Kabnick’s article can be found at: http://phl.sagepub.com/content/29/4/236.
-----
Varicose Vein Treatment Options
Up to 30 million people in the United States suffer from spider veins and varicose veins, which means they are quite a common affliction. Women tend have vein problems more often than men; however both genders are affected. Varicose veins are large, twisting, blue or red veins that stand out or bulge from the surface of the skin, while spider veins are smaller, web-like veins that may look reddish and tangled.
Fortunately, a number of safe, minimally invasive and highly effective vein treatments are now available. They include radiofrequency ablation, microphlebectomy, and sclerotherapy, among others. These techniques help restore the health and beauty of the legs by eliminating or removing varicose veins and spider veins, with a minimum of pain, scarring and recovery time.
----
About Lowell S. Kabnick
In 1986, Dr. Lowell S. Kabnick, MD, RPhS, FACS, PFACPh, founded the first vein treatment center in New Jersey exclusively dedicated to treating vein problem and vascular disease. The center is now recognized as a world leader in vein disease treatment. Dr. Kabnick himself is a pioneer in the development of minimally invasive vein disease treatments that allow patients to restore the health and beauty of their legs with minimal discomfort and practically no downtime.
Dr. Kabnick devotes his practice entirely to venous diagnosis and treatments. He is recognized as one of the area’s Top Doctors and he has written a book series entitled “Practical Phlebology,” a reference book for vascular doctors. Dr. Kabnick joined the NYU faculty in 2007 as Director of the NYU Vein Center, and he is known as an international authority on the diagnosis and treatment of vein disease.
Dr. Kabnick and his staff offer the VNUS closure procedure, VenaCure EVLT (endovenous laser treatment), and phlebectomy and microphlebectomy. Patients can schedule their procedures at either the Morristown, NJ office or in New York City at the NYU vein center. Patients are assured of the high level of patient care you expect from physicians who train other vascular doctors from all over the world.
Lowell S. Kabnick
Tel: (973) 453-2186
http://www.lowellkabnickmd.com/
Christine Sirgado, Paramount/MD, http://paramountmd.com, +1 415-413-2170, [email protected]
Share this article