Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Shoes?

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Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Shoes?

http://medicare.com/equipment-and-supplies/diabetic-shoes.html

Yes, Medicare will cover the cost of one pair of therapeutic shoes (diabetic

shoes) and inserts for people with diabetes if you have a medical need for them.

The Medicare payment for therapeutic shoes is subject to the requirement that

they are necessary and reasonable for protection of insensitive feet or

neuropathy (nerve damage in the feet). To ensure that Medicare pays for you

shoes, you must follow the steps below:

Your treating doctor must complete a certificate of medical necessity for the

therapeutic shoes and document the need in your medical records. So, do not

order anything until you have visited your doctor - no matter what the sales

person tells you.

The shoes and inserts must be prescribed by a podiatrist or other qualified

doctor and provided by a podiatrist, orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist.

The order must be received by the supplier before Medicare is billed and it must

be kept on file by the supplier.

If you receive your Medicare through a Medicare Advantage Plan (like a HMO, PPO)

it is likely you will have to follow the plan's steps for approval and purchase.

Make a point of calling your plan's customer service number and ask about their

steps for coverage of diabetic shoes.