Medicare Requirements for Diabetic Shoes

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, people with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 

Medicare covers a wide range of services for people with diabetes, including:

• • Doctor visits: Medicare covers doctor visits for people with diabetes, including annual wellness visits and diabetes management visits.
  • Prescription drugs: Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs for people with diabetes.
  • Durable medical equipment (DME): Medicare covers DME, such as blood sugar monitors, insulin pumps, and continuous glucose monitors, for people with diabetes.
  • Other services: Medicare may also cover other services for people with diabetes, such as foot exams, diabetes education, and transportation to and from medical appointments.

If you have diabetes, you may be eligible for Medicare coverage for diabetic shoes. 

According to Medicare.gov, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers the furnishing and fitting of either of these each calendar year, if you have diabetes and severe diabetic foot disease:

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

Medicare also covers:

• 2 additional pairs of inserts each calendar year for custom-molded shoes
• 3 pairs of inserts each calendar year for extra-depth shoes
• Medicare will cover shoe modifications instead of inserts.
  
  

Also according to Medicare.gov, Medicare will only cover your therapeutic shoes if your doctors and suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren't enrolled, Medicare won't pay the claims they submit.

The doctor who treats your diabetes must certify your need for therapeutic shoes or inserts.

A podiatrist (foot doctor) or other qualified doctor must prescribe the shoes or inserts, and you must get the shoes or inserts from one of these:

• A podiatrist
• An orthotist
• A prosthetist
• A pedorthist
• Another qualified individual

 If you are unsure whether or not your shoes are covered, you can contact your local Medicare office.

Here are some additional resources for people with diabetes and Medicare:

• Medicare.gov: This website provides information about Medicare, including coverage for diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association: This organization provides information and resources about diabetes.
• The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: This government agency provides information about diabetes and other diseases.