Diabetic Foot Care - Doctor and Senior

Diabetic Foot Care

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If you have diabetic condition, Medicare Part B covers foot care – the furnishing and fitting of therapeutic shoes and inserts once a year. Part B pays for the following each calendar year:

  • One pair of custom-molded shoes and inserts
  • One pair of extra-depth shoes
  • Three pairs of inserts for extra-depth shoes

After that, Medicare covers two additional pairs of inserts for custom-molded shoes. Alternatively, Medicare will cover shoe modifications instead of inserts.

Diabetic Foot Care - doctor exams the foot of senior man
Doctor exams the foot of senior man.

Cost of Therapeutic Shoes and Inserts

Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of therapeutic shoes and inserts under the following conditions: Doctor and supplier must accept Medicare assignment. We advise you to ask your doctor and supplier the following:

Do you accept Medicare assignment?

If the answer is “Yes,” they are “participating” and accept Medicare assignment. Otherwise, Medicare.gov says, “there’s no limit on the amount they can charge you.”

Moreover, you must pay the Part B deductible of $198 in 2020.

Diabetic Foot Care - doctor trims toenails of senior
Doctor trims toenails of senior woman.

Qualifying Foot Doctors

Part B will only cover 80% of the Medicare-approved amount if a qualifying foot doctor prescribes the shoes and inserts. Furthermore, this qualified doctor must certify you need therapeutic shoes or inserts. The doctor must be one of the following:

  • Podiatrist
  • Orthotist
  • Prosthetist
  • Pedorthist
Diabetic Foot Care - Doctor and Senior

What else does Medicare cover for diabetes?

In addition to diabetic foot care, Medicare covers the following:

Read an informative summary of what Medicare covers for diabetes to help you decide what Medicare services are most relevant for you.