Therapeutic footwear has been used for decades as one of many strategies to prevent reulceration in patients with diabetes and foot risk factors. The findings of several studies reporting statistically significant protective effects from therapeutic footwear may have been influenced by several design issues.
When considering the appropriateness of therapeutic footwear recommendations for moderate-risk patients, clinicians and patients should jointly explore individual strategies to decrease events that lead to foot ulcers
People with diabetes are at increased risk for lower-extremity amputations due to peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.
Therapeutic footwear (custom-molded shoes, depth-inlay shoes with inserts, or custom-molded insoles) can prevent or relieve some diabetic foot problems but can be expensive and is often not covered by insurance.
Foot ulcerations and amputation rates are decreased among patients receiving intensive foot care including the use of therapeutic shoes.
Medicare pays for therapeutic footwear when you meet certain criteria and fill out the proper forms. This benefit covers custom-molded shoes, extra-depth shoes, inserts, and some shoe modifications.
Your physician must certify that you are in a plan of diabetes care, have evidence of foot disease, and need therapeutic footwear. A podiatrist writes the prescription, and a podiatrist or pedorthist provides the shoes.
You must buy the footwear from a qualified supplier and file the forms. You can get the forms from the prescription shoe stores, Medicare, or a podiatrist, or your provider may help you get them. Usually you have to pay for the shoes, and Medicare will reimburse up to 80% of the reasonable charge within limits.
Ask about the charge and how much Medicare will pay when you order the shoes. Although government programs can be time consuming, prescription footwear can be an important part of preventing foot problems.
Source : American Diabetes Association
