Belew Drugs

You Need to Know

Every year about 38,000 people with diabetes have a lower extremity amputation. Therapeutic shoes are prescribed by clinicians specializing in foot care to prevent foot ulcerations and amputations among at-risk patients with diabetes. Medicare ran a 3-year demonstration of a therapeutic-shoe benefit for beneficiaries with diabetes and in May 1993 Medicare added the benefit nationwide.

Medicare Diabetic Shoe Benefit
Medicare covers therapeutic shoes and inserts for beneficiaries who have Medicare Part B, have diabetes, and are being treated under a comprehensive plan of care. This benefit includes either 1 pair of custom-molded (including inserts provided with such shoes) and two additional pairs of inserts, or one pair of depth shoes and three pairs of inserts (not including the non-customized removable inserts provided with such shoes). Medicare beneficiaries pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting the yearly Medical Part B deductible.

Medicare Benefit Policy Manual