Diabetic shoes
Coverage
These specialized, therapeutic shoes help improve circulation and offer additional cushion and protection for people with diabetes. The numbness that occurs with diabetic neuropathy (diabetic foot) often means people with diabetes may be unaware of wounds on their feet. If these wounds are not caught early and treated, they can become infected and, in severe cases, lead to amputation.
Diabetic shoes are considered durable medical equipment (DME). They’re covered by Medicare Part B as long as they are prescribed by a Medicare-approved doctor and provided by a Medicare-approved supplier.
Medicare Part B covers one pair of custom-molded shoes, one pair of extra-depth shoes, and three pairs of inserts annually.
Also, Medicare Part B covers the furnishing and fitting of either diabetic shoes or inserts annually.
Costs
If your supplier accepts your assignments, you will pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, and the Part B deductible applies.
What to Know
Medicare covers diabetic shoes and inserts only when the doctor opts into Medicare. If the doctor or supplier submitting the claims doesn’t accept Medicare, then Medicare won’t pay the claims.
