Medicare Covers Custom Shoes For Diabetics

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Medicare Covers Custom Shoes For Diabetics

It may be Medicare's best-kept secret. Diabetics with severe foot problems are entitled to one pair of therapeutic shoes per year paid for by Medicare. Diabetes can interfere with blood flow to the extremities and damage nerves. The number one reason diabetics go to the hospital is for foot-related complications - including amputations.

Medicare patients with severe diabetic foot problems are entitled to one pair of therapeutic shoes each year along with a fitting by a qualified podiatrist, pedorthist, orthotist, or prosthetist, and two pairs of inserts. The benefit covers two types of shoes; molded shoes for which an actual cast of the foot is taken and a shoe is poured to fit snugly, and depth shoes which have an arch shaped to match detailed measurements of each foot.

For more information you may want to contact a local qualified podiatrist who accepts Medicare, or try calling Medicare at (800) 633-4227. If your Medicare representative seems unfamiliar about the benefit ask him or her to refer to the Medicare Carriers Manual Section 2134B.

Source: "Program Puts Diabetics in Shoes That Fit," John O'Neil, The New York Times, June 26, 2001. "2001 Medicare Explained," Health Law Professional Series, CCH Incorporated, page 119.

This article first appeared in Volume 6, Issue 10 of `The Social Security and Medicare Advisor` newsletter (October 2001). To receive future editions of `The Advisor` in its special, free e-mail version, please click here.