Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Shoes?
Yes, Medicare will cover the cost of one pair of therapeutic 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
