
To qualify for Medicare reimbursement of the cost of your diabetic shoes you must be covered under Medicare Part B and meet all three of the following conditions:
- You have diabetes and
- You have one or more of the following conditions:
- Partial or complete foot amputation
- Past foot ulcers
- Calluses of either foot that could lead to ulcers
- Nerve damage in your feet with signs of calluses on either foot
- Deformity of either foot
- Poor circulation in either foot
- Your doctor has certified your need in writing stating:
Will Medicare reimburse you for the cost of your shoes?
Thankfully, Medicare does cover these shoes in most cases. But if you don’t have insurance, you could be paying these high costs yourself. Medicare Reimbursement for Shoes. For Medicare to reimburse for the cost of shoes, you’ll need to visit only doctors and suppliers that take Medicare.
How much does Medicare pay for shoes?
The place that is making my new shoes says medicare will pay 80% of the cost. My supplemental insurance will pay the other 20%. Now I am told that medicare pays only a certain dollar amount and stops even though it doesn’t meet the 80% leaving my bill at $380.
How does Medicare calculate reimbursement?
To see payment rates in your area:
- Select the year
- Select Pricing Information
- Choose your HCPCS (CPT code) criteria (single code, range of codes)
- Select Specific Locality or Specific Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC)
- Enter the CPT code (s) you are looking for
- Under "Modifier" select All Modifiers
- Select your Locality (please note that they are not in alphabetical order)
- Results:
Does Medicare still pay for diabetic shoes?
Medicare will pay for diabetic shoes – in addition to diabetic inserts – as long as Medicare beneficiaries meet certain criteria. Secondly, the shoes or inserts need to be prescribed by your primary care doctor.

Does Medicare pay for a pair of shoes?
What Diabetic Shoes Will Medicare Cover? Medicare allows one pair of extra-depth shoes and one pair of custom-molded shoes per calendar year.
What does Medicare approved shoe mean?
Medicare provides coverage for extra-depth shoes, custom-molded shoes, and shoe inserts for people with diabetes who qualify under Medicare Part B. Designed to prevent lower-limb ulcers and amputations in people who have diabetes, this Medicare benefit can prevent suffering and save money.
Are Orthofeet shoes covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers the cost of orthopedic shoes for people with diabetes who have an additional foot deformity or neuropathy. The payment should be processed by your healthcare practitioner.
What are requirements for diabetic shoes?
Your doctor confirms your need for therapeutic shoes or inserts. A podiatrist or other qualified doctor prescribes them....You have least one of the following conditions in one or both feet:Partial or total foot amputation.Foot ulcers.Pre-ulcerative calluses.Nerve damage due to diabetes.Poor circulation.Foot deformity.
What is a therapeutic shoe?
Therapeutic or Diabetic Shoes are shoes that offer support and protection for your feet and reduce the risk of skin breakdown, primarily in cases of poor circulation, neuropathy and foot deformities. The interior of the shoes are usually made with soft material and with no protruding stitching.
Do I need a prescription for diabetic shoes?
The purchase of diabetic shoes does not require a prescription. However, insurance company guidelines require that diabetic shoes be prescribed by a physician and fitted by a qualified individual such as a Certified Orthotic Fitter.
Does Medicare cover foot problems?
Medicare doesn't usually cover routine foot care. You pay 100% for routine foot care, in most cases. Routine foot care includes: Cutting or removing corns and calluses.
What is the difference between diabetic shoes and regular shoes?
Diabetic shoes are often wider and deeper than regular shoes to accommodate a special multi-density insert that is designed to reduce pressure and callouses to the bottom of feet. Diabetic shoes have a larger “toe box” to prevent squeezing of the toes.
Does Medicare cover podiatry for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, as long as you met the eligibility requirements, your doctor can give you a prescription for treatment. Plantar Fasciitis is a severe breakdown of the soft tissue around your heel.
Does Social Security pay for diabetic shoes?
Therapeutic Shoes and inserts are covered under the Therapeutic Shoes for Individuals with Diabetes benefit (Social Security Act §1861(s)(12)).
How do you write a prescription for diabetic shoes?
1. Detailed written order (prescription). Include space for prescribing shoes (A5500), the quantity of custom inserts (A5513) or quantity of prefab heat-moldable inserts (A5512). This must be dated within six months of dispensing shoes.
Can a podiatrist order diabetic shoes?
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.
What is the code for Oxford shoes?
Oxford shoes that are an integral part of a brace are billed using codes L3224 or L3225 with a KX modifier. For these codes, one unit of service is each shoe. Oxford shoes that are not part of a leg brace must be billed with codes L3215 or L3219 without a KX modifier.
What is the code for a covered leg brace?
Shoes are also covered if they are an integral part of a covered leg brace described by codes L1900, L1920, L1980-L2030, L2050, L2060, L2080, or L2090. Oxford shoes (L3224, L3225) are covered in these situations.
Can diabetic shoes be covered by TSD?
Thus, the diabetic shoes may be covered if the requirements for this section are met, while the brace may be covered if the requirements of §130 (Braces Benefit) are met. (Emphasis added). This means that the supplier of the TSD may bill separately for TSD while a different supplier may bill for the associated brace.
Is TSD covered by CMS?
CMS Internet Only Manual 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 290.B states: Orthopedic shoes and other supportive devices for the feet generally are not covered.
Can KX modifier be used on shoes?
A KX modifier must not be used in this situation. Shoes are denied as noncovered when they are put on over a partial foot prosthesis or other lower extremity prosthesis (L5010-L5600) which is attached to the residual limb by other mechanisms because there is no Medicare benefit for these items.
Does Medicare cover shoes?
Medicare has limited coverage provisions for shoes used by beneficiaries. Section 1862 (a) (8) of the Social Security Act (SSA) says: [N]o payment may be made under part A or part B for any expenses incurred for items or services … where such expenses are for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, ...
Can a matching shoe be billed with a KX modifier?
A matching shoe which is not attached to a brace and items related to that shoe must not be billed with a KX modifier and will be denied as noncovered because coverage is statutorily excluded. Shoes which are incorporated into a brace must be billed by the same supplier billing for the brace.
What does a foot doctor cover?
covers podiatrist (foot doctor), foot exams or treatment if you have diabetes-related nerve damage or need. medically necessary. Health care services or supplies needed to diagnose or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
What is original Medicare?
Your costs in Original Medicare. In Original Medicare, this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid. It may be less than the actual amount a doctor or supplier charges. Medicare pays part of this amount and you’re responsible for the difference.
What is the code for Oxford shoes?
Oxford shoes that are an integral part of a brace are billed using codes L3224 or L3225 with a KX modifier. For these codes, one unit of service is each shoe. Oxford shoes that are not part of a leg brace must be billed with codes L3215 or L3219 without a KX modifier.
What is the code for a covered leg brace?
Shoes are also covered if they are an integral part of a covered leg brace described by codes L1900, L1920, L1980-L2030, L2050, L2060, L2080, or L2090. Oxford shoes (L3224, L3225) are covered in these situations.
Can KX modifier be used on shoes?
A KX modifier must not be used in this situation. Shoes are denied as noncovered when they are put on over a partial foot prosthesis or other lower extremity prosthesis (L5010-L5600) which is attached to the residual limb by other mechanisms because there is no Medicare benefit for these items.
Can diabetic shoes be covered by TSD?
Thus, the diabetic shoes may be covered if the requirements for this section are met, while the brace may be covered if the requirements of §130 (Braces Benefit) are met. (Emphasis added). This means that the supplier of the TSD may bill separately for TSD while a different supplier may bill for the associated brace.
Is TSD covered by CMS?
CMS Internet Only Manual 100-02, Chapter 15, Section 290.B states: Orthopedic shoes and other supportive devices for the feet generally are not covered.
Does Medicare cover shoes?
Medicare has limited coverage provisions for shoes used by beneficiaries. Section 1862 (a) (8) of the Social Security Act (SSA) says: [N]o payment may be made under part A or part B for any expenses incurred for items or services … where such expenses are for orthopedic shoes or other supportive devices for the feet, ...
Can a matching shoe be billed with a KX modifier?
A matching shoe which is not attached to a brace and items related to that shoe must not be billed with a KX modifier and will be denied as noncovered because coverage is statutorily excluded. Shoes which are incorporated into a brace must be billed by the same supplier billing for the brace.
