FCCI's vascular lab runs three main vein ultrasounds: a venous duplex looks for clots (about 30 minutes), a venous insufficiency exam checks your valves (about 1 hour), and vein mapping draws a map of your leg veins before a procedure (about 45 minutes to 1 hour). Your doctor picks the one that fits your symptoms.
Why ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses sound waves to show your veins and the blood moving through them in real time. It has no needles and no radiation, and you can go about your day right after. For vein care, it is the tool that turns "my legs hurt" into a clear answer.
At FCCI, ultrasound is done in an accredited Non-Invasive Vascular Lab by registered vascular technologists. Your doctor reviews the results and follows up with your personal treatment plan.
Venous duplex
What it checks: clots in the deep veins of your legs (DVT).
Why you might need it: leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, shortness of breath or a suspected clot.
How long: about 30 minutes.
Venous insufficiency exam
What it checks: whether your vein valves work, by watching which direction blood flows. It also finds which vein segments are abnormal or blocked.
Why you might need it: varicose veins, aching, swelling, skin changes or ulcers. Venous insufficiency affects about 40% of people, according to FCCI.
How long: about 1 hour. It may include both legs.
Vein mapping
What it checks: creates a map of your leg veins to plan a procedure. It can also find healthy vein segments that may be used as grafts in leg artery bypass or heart bypass surgery.
Why you might need it: varicose veins, leg pain or swelling, leg cramps or changes in skin color.
How long: about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
What about the free screening?
FCCI's free vein screening is a shorter ultrasound, about 20 minutes, that checks your risk level for venous disease.* If it finds something, your doctor may order one of the full exams above.
How to prepare
- Wear shorts or loose pants.
- Skip heavy lotion on your legs.
- Bring your medicine list and insurance card.
- Follow any instructions FCCI gives you when you book. Some artery tests need you to skip food, drinks, tobacco and caffeine for 7 hours, but most vein tests do not.
After the test
You can go back to normal activities. Your doctor will go over the results with you and explain next steps, whether that is treatment, more testing or simply reassurance.
When not to wait
Some ultrasounds can wait for a routine slot; a clot check cannot. If one leg suddenly swells, feels warm or hurts, call your doctor the same day so testing can happen quickly. Swelling with chest pain, shortness of breath or coughing up blood means 911 or the nearest ER. Leg sores that will not heal also need prompt attention, and FCCI has wound care specialists on staff. Call during business hours, 8am to 5pm, for urgent and routine questions alike.
Insurance at a glance
Most ultrasounds are covered when there is a medical reason for them. FCCI works with most major plans: Medicare, AARP Medicare Complete, Aetna, Ambetter, AvMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield (Shands' Gator Care excluded), CarePlus, Cigna Healthcare, Devoted Health, Humana (excluding Humana Gold Plus HMO and Humana Medicaid), Medicaid of Florida and Georgia, Molina, Multiplan, Simply Medicare & Medicaid, Sunshine Medicaid, Tricare for Life, Prime and Standard, UMR, United Healthcare, Wellcare and Wellmed PPO & HMO. Call 904.493.3333 to confirm your plan, or ask about self-pay pricing.
Not sure which ultrasound you need? Let the team sort it out. Call 904.493.3333 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, or send a request from our booking page. If you notice sudden leg swelling with chest pain or breathlessness, call 911 before anything else.
