We handle the entire paperwork process for our patients. But we know plenty of people like to understand what’s actually required before they get started. So here’s a clear walkthrough of what Medicare needs.

1. Physician Certification Statement

The doctor managing your diabetes — an MD or DO — has to sign a statement confirming that you need therapeutic shoes and that you’re being treated under a full diabetes care plan. The signature has to be dated within three months before you actually receive your shoes, and it needs to be renewed every year.

If a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, family nurse practitioner, or medical assistant is the one signing the form, the supervising MD or DO will also need to sign off on it. Without that second signature, the form won’t be accepted. The same rule applies to every other piece of documentation, with one exception: the prescription itself can be written by a podiatrist (DPM).

2. Documentation of a Qualifying Foot Condition

Your certifying physician needs to record your diabetes diagnosis in your chart, along with at least one of the following:

• Peripheral neuropathy with signs of callus formation
• A foot deformity such as hammertoes, bunions, or Charcot foot
• A previous amputation
• A history of foot ulcers
• Poor circulation
• Pre-ulcerative calluses, with a noted foot exam

If these findings live in your podiatrist’s notes rather than your primary doctor’s chart, your MD or DO will need to add a note of their own showing they’re in agreement with the podiatrist’s treatment plan.

3. A Recent In-Person Visit

Within six months before your shoes or inserts are delivered, you’ll need to have had an in-person visit with your certifying physician. Diabetes management has to be discussed during that visit and noted in your chart.

4. A Prescription for the Shoes

The prescription itself has to come from a practitioner who actually knows how to fit diabetic footwear. That means a podiatrist, an MD, or a DO writing the order.

A Practical Tip for Patients

The simplest way to handle this is to bring the required forms to your next doctor’s appointment and ask the office to fill them out for you. Make sure your primary doctor signs everything — that signature is what shows your shoes are medically necessary. Once the forms are completed, your doctor’s office can fax them straight to us at (504) 544-0512. From there, you can expect a call from our team to schedule your fitting or walk you through the next steps.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare Part B covers one pair of shoes per calendar year. You can choose between a pair of custom-molded shoes with inserts, or a pair of depth-inlay shoes with inserts. Medicare also covers extra inserts each year: two extra pairs with custom-molded shoes, or three extra pairs with extra-depth shoes. Standard deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments may still apply depending on your specific plan.

If You Have Private Insurance

Private insurance plans typically look for the same kind of documentation, though the specifics can vary from one plan to another. We verify your coverage directly with your provider before your fitting, so you’ll know exactly what’s covered before we begin.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Our team manages the entire process, from documentation and insurance verification to your in-person fitting. To arrange a visit at your home, senior center, or care facility, please contact us today.