A specialty vein practice for the South Carolina Lowcountry

28 years of
quiet vein care —
for the Grand
Strand.

Dr. Karl Hubach has been treating vein disease across the Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach area since 1997. Board-certified. Ultrasound-precise. In-office procedures with same-day results — and a practice that has never needed a GoDaddy template to earn its reputation.

Book a Free Vein Screening → Call (843) 652-5344
Years in Vein Care 28+
Location Murrells
Inlet SC
Screening Cost Free*
A clinician conducting a vein consultation — Lowcountry Vein Specialists, Murrells Inlet SC.
Dr. Karl Hubach, MD · Murrells Inlet, SC
Board-Certified Physician
28 Years Vein Experience
Murrells Inlet · Grand Strand
Most Major Insurance & Medicare
Since1997 — 28 years serving the Grand Strand
SpecialtyVein-only practice — varicose, spider, reflux
In-OfficeSame-day procedures, local anesthesia
CoveredMedicare & most major insurance accepted
No. 02 Meet the Physician

A career spent quietly perfecting one specialty — vein care.

Dr. Karl Hubach has treated vein disease on the South Carolina coast for over 28 years. Where other practices offer a little of everything, Lowcountry Vein offers one thing, done well.

Founder & Physician KH
Karl Hubach, MD

28 years of vein care on the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Dr. Hubach founded Lowcountry Vein Specialists in Murrells Inlet and has treated thousands of patients across the Grand Strand. His practice is built on a simple philosophy: accurate ultrasound diagnosis first, then the least-invasive treatment that genuinely solves the problem.

Board-Certified, MD Practicing Since 1997 Murrells Inlet, SC
Read full profile →
What this practice is

"A specialty-only vein practice. No hair removal, no aesthetics, no general medicine. Just veins — and the 28 years of experience it takes to treat them quietly and well."

The numbers
28yr
Experience
Free
Screening
Ultrasound vein mapping — Lowcountry Vein Specialists, Murrells Inlet SC.
Murrells Inlet · Vein care since 1997
Our Practice

A specialty built one leg at a time.

Dr. Hubach has cared for patients from Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Pawleys Island, and the surrounding Grand Strand since 1997 — treating varicose veins, spider veins, bulging veins, leg pain, restless legs, and the venous reflux that quietly causes most adult leg-vein symptoms.

Every treatment starts with honest ultrasound diagnosis. Every recommendation is backed by over two decades of hands-on experience. Dr. Hubach does not over-treat and he does not under-explain. Patients leave knowing exactly what they have, why it happened, and what their options are.

"Most patients have been told their varicose veins are cosmetic, or just part of aging. It usually isn't true — and that conversation is where treatment begins."

— The premise of this practice since 1997

Inside the Practice

Real instruments, real care — not stock photography.

Ultrasound mapping. In-office procedures. Compression care. The complete picture of what modern vein treatment actually looks like.

A clinician examining a patient's leg during a vein consultation.
In-office consultation
Ultrasound vein mapping and diagnostic screening.
Ultrasound mapping
Patient fitting a graduated compression stocking.
Compression care
In-office monitoring equipment during a vein procedure.
In-office monitoring
Sclerotherapy treatment preparation.
Sclerotherapy
Vein disease is one of the most under-treated, most treatable conditions in medicine.
— The premise of Lowcountry Vein Specialists since 1997
No. 03 Conditions We Treat

Symptoms that quietly become someone else's idea of "just aging."

Most of what we treat has been told to a patient as inevitable. It usually isn't. The first step is an honest diagnostic — not a sales pitch.

01

Varicose Veins

Twisted, rope-like veins in the legs.

Failing one-way valves let blood pool and bulge. Often runs in families. More than cosmetic — heaviness, swelling, and skin changes follow if left untreated.

02

Spider Veins

Fine, web-like surface vessels.

Small dilated capillaries close to the skin's surface. Often cosmetic — but in some patients they're the surface signal of deeper venous insufficiency worth investigating.

03

Restless Legs

Often traced to vein reflux.

Many cases have a venous component. Worth a proper vein screening before assuming it's neurological and adding medication.

04

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

The umbrella diagnosis behind most adult leg-vein symptoms.

Pressure builds in the deep veins, legs feel heavy, skin discolors at the ankles. Treatable — and frequently missed by providers who don't specialize.

05

DVT Awareness & Follow-up

Risk education and post-DVT venous care.

Acute DVT is an emergency — go to a hospital. We help with the long-term venous care patients need in the weeks and months after one.

06

Venous Leg Ulcers

Slow-healing wounds at the ankle.

Wounds that won't close are usually caused by underlying reflux. Treat the vein, and the wound finally heals. One of the most rewarding outcomes in the practice.

07

Leg Swelling & Lymphedema

When the cause isn't venous alone.

Some patients have layered conditions. We help untangle which component is venous — and which we can treat in-office versus refer out.

Full condition library →
No. 04 Treatments We Offer

Procedures designed to be quiet — for the patient, and the leg.

Most are done in-office, under local anesthesia, in under an hour. Walking out the same day is the expectation, not the exception.

01

Endovenous Laser Ablation

EVLA — sealing the failing vein from inside.

A laser fiber, threaded under ultrasound, seals the diseased vein. Local anesthesia. In-office. Most patients walk out the same day.

Duration
≈ 45 min
Downtime
24–48 hours
02

Radiofrequency Ablation

RFA — radiofrequency energy, not laser.

A cousin to EVLA. The choice between the two is made case-by-case, based on vein anatomy and patient comfort. Both produce excellent closure rates.

Duration
≈ 45 min
Anesthesia
Local
03

Sclerotherapy

Tiny injections to fade smaller veins.

A specialized solution collapses the vessel wall. The body reabsorbs it over several weeks. No anesthesia required. Ideal for spider veins and small reticular veins.

Duration
15–30 min
Downtime
Compression hose
04

Varithena Foam

FDA-approved foam for tortuous or winding veins.

A microfoam injected under ultrasound, ideal for veins too winding for a catheter. No thermal energy. Effective for a specific subset of vein anatomy.

Duration
≈ 30 min
Anesthesia
Local
05

VenaSeal Closure

Medical adhesive — no heat, no tumescent anesthesia.

Adhesive delivered into the diseased vein seals it closed. Minimal bruising. No compression hose required in most cases. Discussed at consultation.

Duration
30–45 min
Recovery
Same-day return
06

Microphlebectomy

Surface bulges, removed through pinpoint incisions.

Stubborn varicosities removed through incisions so small they rarely need stitches. Often paired with EVLA for the most complete result in one session.

Duration
30–60 min
Anesthesia
Local
07

Compression & Conservative Care

Not every leg needs a procedure.

For many patients, compression hosiery and activity changes are enough — or the right first step. We tell you honestly which group you're in before recommending anything more.

Approach
Non-invasive
Best as
First step
Full treatment library →
No. 05 The Patient Journey

Four unhurried steps — none of them surprise you with a bill.

The screening is free. Diagnosis is by ultrasound, not guesswork. Treatment is recommended only when it is genuinely indicated and your insurance benefits are clear.

01

Free Vein Screening

A no-cost visit with Dr. Hubach's team. We listen, examine, and tell you honestly whether a deeper workup is warranted — and why.

02

Ultrasound Diagnosis

A diagnostic duplex ultrasound to identify which veins are refluxing and which are healthy. This is what insurance authorization is built on — and what keeps the recommendation honest.

03

Treatment Plan

A written plan explaining exactly what we recommend, why, and your out-of-pocket cost — before anything begins. Nothing starts without your approval.

04

Recovery & Follow-up

Most procedures send you home the same day, walking. A follow-up ultrasound confirms the vein has closed cleanly. Most patients describe this as the easiest part.

No. 06 Insurance & Cost

Most patients pay very little. We tell you up-front exactly what.

Medically necessary vein treatment is covered by most major plans and Medicare. Our team verifies benefits before scheduling — no surprises.

Plans we accept

We accept most major commercial plans, Medicare, and many Medicare Advantage plans. If your carrier isn't listed, call us — we likely accept it.

Medicare
Medicare Advantage
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Humana
UnitedHealthcare
Tricare
UMR
Multiplan / PHCS

How the money part works

Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins. You receive a clear, written estimate listing deductible, coinsurance, and any out-of-pocket cost. We do not begin anything you have not reviewed and approved.

Coverage varies by plan and diagnosis. Cosmetic-only treatments — such as isolated spider veins — are typically out-of-pocket. We will tell you clearly which category your case falls in before we recommend anything.

No. 07 Before & After

A gallery built patiently — with written consent and real clinical results.

Currently building

We do not publish patient photographs without explicit, written, treatment-by-treatment consent.

If you'd like to see results before your screening, we will show you anonymized clinical photographs in-office and discuss the range of outcomes for someone with your specific anatomy. Most patients find this more useful than a website gallery — you get to ask questions about what you're looking at.

This is exactly what 28 years of patient-first practice looks like. We earn trust before we treat.

What Patients Say

Trusted across the Grand Strand for nearly three decades.

A small, verbatim selection from patients who found Dr. Hubach after being told elsewhere that their veins were "just cosmetic" — or not worth treating.

★★★★★

"I had been dealing with painful varicose veins for years and was told by two other doctors it wasn't worth treating. Dr. Hubach took one look at the ultrasound and had a plan within the same appointment. I walked out the day of the procedure."

Verified patientGoogle review · Myrtle Beach, SC
★★★★★

"I drove from Georgetown because my primary care doctor said there was nobody local who specialized in veins. There is — he's in Murrells Inlet and has been treating veins since 1997. Wish someone had told me twenty years ago."

Verified patientGoogle review · Georgetown, SC
★★★★★

"The whole team made me feel like I mattered, not like a procedure number. The sclerotherapy was almost painless and the results after eight weeks were remarkable. My legs look and feel completely different."

Verified patientGoogle review · Pawleys Island, SC

Reviews quoted verbatim from public platforms. Names withheld by patient request.

01

Vein-only practice

Dr. Hubach does not do hair removal, aesthetics, or general family medicine. Vein care is the entire practice — every day, since 1997. The depth shows in the diagnosis.

02

In-office, in under an hour

Most procedures are done in-office under local anesthesia. No hospital, no general anesthesia, no overnight stay — and no surprise operating-room bill.

03

Honest about cost

Benefits verified up-front. A written estimate before anything begins. Cosmetic and medically necessary treatments clearly distinguished — because patients deserve that clarity.

No. 09 Frequently Asked

The questions every patient asks — and the honest answers.

Is vein treatment painful?
Most patients describe the procedure as mildly uncomfortable, not painful. Local anesthesia is used at the access point. The most common comparison patients use is a routine dental visit — a little pressure and awareness, but not pain. There is no general anesthesia and no hospital stay.
How long is recovery?
Most patients walk out the same day. Compression hose are worn for a short period after most procedures. Normal activity — including light exercise — typically resumes within 24 to 48 hours. We recommend avoiding heavy lifting for about one week.
Will my insurance cover this?
For medically necessary treatment of varicose veins or venous reflux, most major commercial plans and Medicare provide coverage. Our team verifies your specific benefits before treatment is scheduled and gives you a written estimate. Cosmetic-only treatments — such as isolated spider veins without an underlying reflux diagnosis — are typically out-of-pocket. We will tell you clearly which category your case falls in before recommending anything.
Will the veins come back?
A successfully treated vein does not return — the body reabsorbs it over time. However, vein disease is progressive. New veins can develop reflux over time, particularly with genetic predisposition or changes from pregnancy or significant weight fluctuation. We do not promise any particular long-term outcome. Annual follow-up ultrasounds catch new issues early.
What does the free screening actually include?
A focused visit with our clinical team. A brief history. A visual exam of your legs. An honest conversation about whether a deeper workup — a diagnostic duplex ultrasound — makes sense for your situation. No pressure, no obligation, no diagnostic ultrasound at this visit (that step is separate and is what insurance authorization is built on).
Do I need a physician referral?
For most plans, no — you can self-refer. A few HMO and Medicare Advantage plans do require a referral from your primary care physician. Our front desk will tell you which group your specific plan falls into when you call to schedule.
Why not just use compression stockings?
Compression stockings manage symptoms but do not treat the underlying reflux. For mild cases or as a first step, they're often the right recommendation — and we'll tell you honestly when that's the case. For patients with significant reflux, treating the source is what stops the progression and gives lasting relief.
Privacy note (HIPAA-aware). Please do not include protected health information in this form. We will contact you by phone to gather clinical details securely.
No. 11 Visit Us

Murrells Inlet, SC — serving the entire Grand Strand.

Convenient to Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, Georgetown, Surfside Beach, and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry.

Murrells Inlet Office

Georgetown County · Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Phone(843) 652-5344
HoursMon — Fri · 8:00am – 5:00pm
Sat & Sun · Closed
ServingMyrtle Beach · Pawleys Island · Georgetown · Surfside Beach · Conway

No referral required for most plans. Call to confirm your insurance is accepted before scheduling your free screening.

Take the first twenty minutes back.

A free screening is the smallest, most informative step you can take. No referral required for most plans. Most patients leave with a clearer head than they walked in with.

Schedule Now → Call (843) 652-5344