Lakeshore Veins

Dr. Anne Bartel founded Lakeshore Veins in 2013 and works only on vein disease, including varicose and spider veins. The clinic is a small team of ultrasound technologists and clinical staff who together have more than 50 years of experience diagnosing and treating vein problems. The clinic says it was voted Milwaukee's Top Choice in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023, and reports a Google rating of 4.9 from 28 reviews.

A visit usually starts with a duplex ultrasound and vein mapping, which show how the veins are working and where the problem sits. The team then goes over the treatment options with the patient before a plan is set, and compression stockings are part of the personalized plan when they are needed. Laser ablation is performed in the Mequon clinic and takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

The clinic offers a range of treatments. Laser vein treatment and laser ablation use a 1470 nm laser, and radiofrequency ablation closes the vein with heat. Sclerotherapy addresses spider veins and small varicosities using sotradecol and polidocanol, both FDA approved. Microphlebectomy removes larger varicose veins near the skin surface, and newer options include vein glue and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.

Lakeshore Veins is in-network with a long list of plans, including WPS, Humana, United Health Care, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UMR and Medicare and Medicaid. It helps patients who are out-of-network or who prefer to pay cash, and it does not charge the facility fees common at surgery centers and large hospitals. Pre-authorization is obtained before procedures. Insurance usually covers laser treatment and microphlebectomy for symptomatic patients, while sclerotherapy is rarely covered. After a procedure, a compression stocking is worn for up to two weeks, and lifting over 20 lbs is avoided for one week.

The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9AM to 4PM, Thursday from 9AM to 6PM, and is closed on weekends. It serves patients from Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Manitowoc, Calumet, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Treats each patient as an individual and makes sure every treatment option is explained before a decision is made.