How Much Does Varicose Vein Treatment Cost in Singapore?
An honest guide to what drives the fee, what insurance usually covers, and why a written estimate after a scan is the only number worth relying on.
Short answer: the cost of varicose vein treatment in Singapore depends on what the duplex ultrasound finds, which method is used, where it is done and how many sessions are needed. Treatment of varicose veins that cause symptoms or skin changes is usually claimable under Integrated Shield plans and corporate schemes; purely cosmetic treatment generally is not. Our fees follow the panels we participate in. After your scan, the clinic team gives you a written estimate itemising the surgeon's fee, the facility fee and consumables, and helps you check your cover before anything is booked.
What determines the cost?
| Factor | How it affects the fee |
|---|---|
| Scan findings | One refluxing vein in one leg is a shorter procedure than two trunks in both legs with many tributaries. |
| Method | Radiofrequency, laser and glue each use a single-use device. Glue kits cost more than heat devices. Foam sclerotherapy uses the least equipment but may need more than one session. |
| Additional procedures | Visible tributaries often need microphlebectomy or foam at the same sitting, which adds time and materials. |
| Setting | Day surgery at the hospital involves a facility fee; the fee differs between hospitals. Some foam treatments can be done in the clinic. |
| Anaesthesia | Most keyhole treatments use local anaesthetic only. Sedation or a general anaesthetic, if chosen or needed, adds an anaesthetist's fee. |
| Follow-up | A check scan at around six weeks and any touch-up sclerotherapy are usually itemised separately. |
Because every one of these varies, a single headline price would be misleading. The number that matters is the estimate you receive after your own scan.
Is varicose vein treatment covered by insurance?
In Singapore, treatment of varicose veins that cause symptoms, swelling, skin changes, bleeding or ulcers is generally regarded as medically necessary and is usually claimable under Integrated Shield plans and most corporate and international policies, subject to the insurer's own assessment and to any pre-authorisation they require. Treatment purely for appearance is generally excluded. MediSave can be used towards approved day-surgery procedures within the prevailing withdrawal limits. Dr Choong participates in a number of insurer panels, and our fees for panel patients follow the panel's fee schedule. The clinic team will tell you which applies to you and will help prepare the letter or pre-authorisation form your insurer asks for. See the payment and insurance page for the full list of accepted plans.
How do I get a written estimate?
- Book a consultation, which includes a duplex ultrasound of both legs at the same visit.
- Dr Choong explains the scan findings and, if treatment is advisable, the method he recommends and why. The comparison of laser, radiofrequency and glue explains how that decision is made.
- The clinic team prepares an itemised written estimate for that specific plan: surgeon's fee, facility, consumables, anaesthesia if any, and follow-up.
- If you are insured, the team checks your cover and submits any pre-authorisation before a date is fixed.
There is no obligation to proceed after the scan. Many people use the first visit simply to understand their veins and what the options would cost.
What about treatment in a public hospital?
Singapore's restructured hospitals also offer varicose vein treatment, usually at a lower subsidised fee for Singaporeans and permanent residents but with longer waiting times for the clinic appointment and the procedure, and without a choice of surgeon. Private care offers a shorter path from scan to treatment and continuity with one surgeon. Both are legitimate routes; the right one depends on your priorities and your cover. The guide to choosing a vascular surgeon in Singapore sets out the differences in more detail.
Common questions about the cost of varicose vein treatment
Is the first consultation and scan charged separately from treatment?
Yes. The consultation and duplex ultrasound are charged as a first visit, whether or not you go on to treatment. If you proceed, the procedure is quoted separately in the written estimate.
Why is glue more expensive than radiofrequency or laser?
The adhesive delivery kit is a single-use device that costs more than a radiofrequency catheter or laser fibre. Against that, glue usually needs less anaesthetic, no stockings and a quicker return to normal activity, which some people value. The method is chosen on the scan findings first and on preference second.
Can I use MediSave for varicose vein treatment?
MediSave can be used towards approved day-surgery procedures within the prevailing limits set by the Ministry of Health, and many endovenous procedures fall within that list. The clinic team will confirm the applicable amount for your planned procedure.
Do I need a referral letter for insurance?
Some insurers require a GP referral for claims even though the clinic does not require one for an appointment. Check your policy wording, or ask the clinic team, before your first visit so that the paperwork is in order.
Scan first, then decide
The cost question can only be answered properly once the scan has shown what needs treating. A duplex ultrasound at a first visit maps which veins are faulty, usually on the same day, and you leave with a plan. Read about what a first visit for varicose veins involves, or arrange one:
Sources: European Society for Vascular Surgery 2022 clinical practice guidelines on chronic venous disease; NICE CG168 Varicose veins: diagnosis and management. Full references are listed at the end of the varicose veins page.