An estimated 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. About 25 percent of those will have foot problems as a result of the diabetes, and many will need special and expensive footwear. The Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill helps people buy the shoes they need.
Eligibility
For Medicare to pay for diabetic shoes, you must have diabetes as well as significant foot problems associated with the disease. These problems include amputation, foot ulceration, periphereal neuropathy, deformity of a foot or poor circulation in a foot.
Certifying Doctor
Your doctor must certify that you meets the criteria and need special shoes, inserts and modifications.
What Medicare Provides
Medicare will partially pay for one pair of off-the-shelf diabetic shoes with additional inserts or modifications. Or, if needed, you can get one pair of custom-made diabetic shoes with extra inserts.
See a Shoe Specialist
A qualified diabetic shoe specialist, such as a podiatrist or orthotist, must fit and supply the shoes. Your doctor cannot sell the shoes unless he is an area that has a lack of health care providers. If this is the case, Medicare will need to approve him selling the footwear.
Shoes May Not be Free
Medicare will usually not pay the full cost of the shoes. You must meet your annual deductible first. After that, you generally pay 20 percent of the cost. If the shoe supplier is in network with Medicare, meaning he has agreed to accept a lower payment, you will most likely owe only a small amount and, in some cases, nothing.
Tags: Medicare will, diabetic shoes, diabetic shoes with, foot problems, inserts modifications