Medicare doesn't usually cover routine foot care. In most cases, you pay 100% for routine foot care. Medicare covers foot exams if you have diabetes-related nerve damage in your lower leg that may increase your risk of losing a limb. You can have your feet examined once a year, as long as you haven't seen a podiatrist for another reason between visits.
Together, all of these factors can cause serious infections that, over time, could result in the need to amputate a foot. Depending on the results of the exam, foot care may include treating foot ulcers and calluses and managing toenails.
The podiatrist
or other foot care provider must be enrolled in Medicare and accept the assignment. Regardless of where you get foot care, it'll need to be done by a Medicare-approved provider to qualify for coverage.Medicare will usually cover the services you receive from a qualified podiatrist, although care from other doctors and providers may also be covered in some cases. For Medicare to consider that care is medically necessary, it must be prescribed by a doctor or other licensed medical professional. Routine foot care includes services such as treatment for flat feet or orthopedic footwear, when those services are not medically necessary. Once you reach your Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the amount approved by Medicare for any medically necessary foot treatment that you receive from your doctor or other healthcare provider medical care.
Your doctor or other healthcare provider may recommend that you get services more often than what Medicare covers. If your podiatrist recommends it, you can also buy a pair of custom-molded or extra deep shoes each year, including fitting appointments. Ask questions to understand why your doctor recommends certain services and whether or how much Medicare will pay for them. Medicare Part B (health insurance) covers foot exams or treatments by a podiatrist (podiatrist) if you have diabetes-related nerve damage or if you need medically necessary treatment to treat foot injuries or diseases (such as hammertoe, bunion deformities and heel spurs).
