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What is included in a peripheral vascular assessment?

A peripheral vascular assessment is focused on the area of the body that is suspected of having poor blood flow. In the majority of cases, this is the legs. A vascular specialist will perform a physical examination that is similar to the one done at any routine doctor’s visit. They will also perform special tests using a blood pressure cuff and a machine designed to reveal the speed at which blood is flowing through the arteries in the feet. This test only causes a light pressure sensation that feels similar to having your blood pressure checked. 

For more severe symptoms a vascular specialist will often order imaging tests known as angiograms that allow them to see the structure of the blood vessels. This lets them determine the severity of obstruction in the arteries, blood clots in the veins, and any other vascular issues.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

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Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure. You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed.

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