| Many people with diabetes can benefit from wearing a | | | | Additionally, many private insurance companies are |
| pair of diabetic shoes. These specially made shoes will | | | | beginning to see the advantages of prevention and |
| reduce the risk of skin breakdown in people who | | | | are starting to cover the cost of diabetic footwear for |
| suffer from diabetes. While diabetic shoes are helpful | | | | their customers. Some insurance companies will cover |
| to many who have this condition, they can be | | | | the cost of diabetic shoes for all customers who have |
| expensive. Many people who have diabetes qualify to | | | | been diagnosed with diabetes and others will only |
| receive free diabetic shoes but because it's not widely | | | | cover the cost for those who also are prone to foot |
| advertised, they may not even know they could get | | | | problems or disease. People with diabetes should |
| their shoes for free! | | | | check with their insurance company to learn about the |
| Senior citizens who are receiving Medicare will often | | | | conditions required to have this specialized footwear |
| qualify to receive free diabetic shoes. For Medicare | | | | paid for through their insurance. |
| patients, having diabetes alone is not enough to qualify | | | | It's also important to note that patients who have |
| for free shoes. Those who receive Medicare benefits | | | | diabetes and believe they should qualify for free |
| must also have another condition, such as poor | | | | diabetic shoes should speak to their doctor. Most |
| circulation, previous foot ulceration, foot deformity, or a | | | | insurance companies will require a physician to |
| history of neuropathy. Those who have undergone a | | | | recommend the shoes and essentially write a |
| partial or complete foot amputation will also qualify. | | | | prescription for the patient to purchase special shoes |
| Patients with Medicare should check with their | | | | before they will cover or reimburse the associated |
| Medicare provider or physician to see if they qualify. | | | | costs. |
| In many states, those who are receiving Medicaid | | | | Last, patients who qualify to receive free diabetic |
| benefits will also qualify to receive this special | | | | footwear through Medicare, Medicaid, or their private |
| footwear at no cost to them. Whether or not additional | | | | insurance company may also qualify for special foot |
| conditions must be met depends on the state and the | | | | inserts that can be used with shoes that they already |
| type of coverage, so patients should check with their | | | | own. Conditions to qualify for inserts are typically the |
| Medicaid provider to see if they qualify for this | | | | same as those required to qualify for diabetic shoes. |
| coverage. | | | | |