How to Choose a Physician Who Specializes in Vein Care

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Albert Vein Institute | Photo Credit: Jeff Kearney
Albert Vein Institute | Photo Credit: Jeff Kearney
We are so thankful to Dr. James. D. Albert of Albert Vein Institute who is Colorado’s Vein Specialist for providing this sponsored post highlighting important credentials to look for when choosing a physician vein-care specialist.

The good news for today’s vein patients is that this medical specialty has now progressed to its most advanced level in its history by using minimally invasive technology and procedures. What makes the difference in vein care today is the experience and medical background of the vein specialist performing these new technologies.

The proliferation of “Vein Treatment” medical advertising both through traditional media and the internet has illustrated the diversity of physicians who claim to be trained to deliver quality vein care. It has created confusion among the general public as to who is best qualified to treat varicose veins and spider veins.

Patients need to be aware that the top to bottom location that a vein practice finds itself on a Google or Yahoo site, for instance, has NO relationship to the quality of care delivered by that practice. It is a function of how many dollars that practice has decided to spend on search engine optimization (SEO). Very simply, one practice has paid to manipulate your search about a general vein topic toward their site. Even worse, they may have paid to re-direct your search from a particular vein practice you were investigating to their particular practice without your knowledge.

Vein clinics owned by major hospitals have the potential for very large advertising budgets to possibly manipulate your search since they have multiple revenue streams unrelated to providing vein care. The internet has an unfortunate side effect to make ALL vein practices appear that they provide the same quality of care and level of expertise when nothing could be further from the truth.

At Albert Vein Institute, we believe the patient should understand the landscape of vein care in order to make the most educated decision when choosing a physician provider who best performs medical and/or cosmetic leg vein treatment. Patients must be comfortable and have confidence in their vein care physician. Here are suggestions of some important credentials to look for when choosing a physician vein-care specialist:

  • MICROSURGICAL TRAINING is a vital skill in order to treat varicose veins effectively and safely.  Microsurgical techniques are required to safely remove the varicose veins. After an endovenous ablation that destroys the saphenous vein (the cause of the varicose veins), if the varicosities (the bulging veins which are the results of the problem) are not removed, they will either remain visible or at worst, clot after the procedure resulting in pain, skin discoloration, and make it virtually impossible to remove later.
  • EXPERIENCE IN READING AND UTILIZING ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY is obligatory to obtain good results. Precision is needed in reading ultrasounds to make a correct diagnosis and treatment plan.  Additionally, your vein care physician needs to have the skills to obtain access to veins in your leg accurately and quickly to decrease the time of the procedure. Look for ACCREDITATION IN ULTRASOUND EXPERTISE as in your physician having obtained the ultrasound accreditation of Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI).
  • Many patients are under the impression that their varicose veins will recur after their venous treatment.  Look for PHYSICIANS WHO ARE EXCLUSIVELY COMMITTED TO TREATING VENOUS DISEASE, and, thus, SHOULD HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS REQUIRED to prevent recurrence. Patients should inquire from any potential treating physician what they do in their treatment regiment to prevent recurrences.
  • The EXPERTISE OF THE AUTHORIZATION DEPARTMENT IN THE PARTICULAR VEIN PRACTICE you visit is very important. Authorization must be complete to document specific areas of valve insufficiency and vein size in order to meet medical necessity that is required by the health insurance company. Patients should feel comfortable that the authorization department will be thorough and professional so that there will be no surprised unknown costs to the patient after vein treatment.
  • Always choose a BOARD CERTIFIED PHLEBOLOGIST.  Any medical specialist or physician who just has the shingle of “phlebologist” is not the same as a Board Certified Phlebologist. The American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM) is the one and only medical overseeing body that can credential a physician as a Board Certified Phlebologist. In addition, claiming to be “fellowship-trained in Colorado” has no official approving credential by any overseeing medical body. The only nationally accredited vein care Fellowship for physicians exists in New York City at NYU.  
  • Look for a vein care physician who has been RECOGNIZED BY HIS OR HER MEDICAL PEERS FOR THEIR MEDICAL SPECIALTY AND ALSO HAS BEEN ACCREDITED OR CERTIFIED BY A NATIONALLY ACCREDITING HEALTHCARE OVERSEEING BODY AS A “VEIN CENTER” that is concerned with the highest level of safety, operational and technical components of a vein care physician and his or her medical practice versus any business recognitions that are only interested in reflecting business financials versus MEDICAL MERITS OF EXCELLENCE.  The IAC (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission) is a national accreditation organization that accredits physicians for various medical recognitions. They are now recognizing vein care practices across the country as an IAC ACCREDITED VEIN CENTER. Look for the “Vein Center” credential when researching your potential vein care. This accreditation represents a “Seal-of-approval” that the vein practice has reached prominent benchmarks in patient care, treatment and safety.
** This sponsored post was written to serve as guidance and suggestions of important credentials to look for when choosing a physician vein-care specialist and should not be taken as concrete medical advice. As with any medical questions or concerns, it is imperative to make an appointment with Dr. Albert for your evaluation to determine your proper diagnosis and treatment. The blog posts submitted to Colorado Springs Moms Blog from community resources and professionals do not necessarily reflect the opinions and endorsements of Colorado Springs Moms Blog. It is the opinion of Colorado Springs Moms Blog to provide our followers with credible information and help educate on reliable and expert resources in our community.

Dr. James D. Albert, RPVI, is the Founder, Medical Director and Practicing Physician at Albert Vein Institute (AVI) in Denver and Colorado Springs. With over two decades of Cardiovascular Surgical experience and trained at the most prestigious medical institutes in the nation, Dr. Albert is Colorado’s leading expert in the treatment of venous disease. AVI is nationally recognized as Colorado’s first and only IAC  Accredited “Vein Center” (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission) which is a prominent distinction in today’s vein care and a reflection of providing the highest standard of vein expertise and safety. Dr. Albert is a Board Certified Cardiovascular Surgeon and Phlebologist. He is exceptionally qualified to provide today’s most advanced minimally invasive vein care.  Dr. Albert evaluates first-time patients in a complimentary consultation to ensure the appropriate medical recommendation and treatment plan should the patient need treatment for venous disease. Visit Albertvein.com or call 1-888-550-8346.