Does Medicare Cover Foot Care?

Health Line

3 days ago

Key takeaways
Medicare covers foot care for injuries, emergencies, and treatment for certain conditions.
In most cases, Medicare doesn't pay for routine foot care unrelated to a serious medical condition.
People with diabetes can have routine foot care covered under Part B, including specialized shoes and shoe inserts.
However, Medicare can cover routine foot care for people with diabetes if it's considered medically necessary.
'Foot care' can refer to treatment for serious conditions that affect the health of your feet or everyday concerns like calluses. Medicare separates these two kinds of foot care and only covers treatments that are medically necessary.
In most cases, Medicare doesn't pay for routine foot care unrelated to a serious medical condition. However, you might have additional coverage for foot care if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
What kind of foot care does Medicare cover?
Medicare covers foot care that's considered medically necessary. For care to be considered medically necessary, it needs to be prescribed by a physician or other licensed healthcare professional.
Generally, Medicare will cover services you receive from a qualified podiatrist, although care from other physicians and healthcare professionals might also be covered in some cases.
When you receive medically necessary foot care as an outpatient, it will be covered under Part B. Some examples of foot care that would be considered medically necessary include treatment of:
wounds
injuries
infected nails
hammer toe
heel spurs
If you receive foot care while you're admitted to the hospital, it will be covered under Part A. Just like with Part B coverage, the foot care you receive in the hospital must be considered medically necessary to be covered.
No matter where you receive foot care, it must be performed by a Medicare-approved healthcare professional to qualify for coverage.
Does Medicare Part C cover more foot care?
Depending on your Part C, or Medicare Advantage, plan, you might have additional foot care coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover all of the same services as parts A and B.
In many cases, Medicare Advantage plans offer additional coverage, which could include routine foot care. Check with your plan for specific coverage details before you go to your foot care appointment.
What types of foot care are not covered?
Medicare does not cover routine foot care, such as treatment for flat feet or fittings for orthopedic shoes.
Routine foot care also includes hygiene and upkeep services, such as:
nail trimming
treatment of calluses
removal of dead skin
foot soaks
application of lotions
This applies to Medicare parts A and B, also known as Original Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan might offer coverage for some of these services, including orthopedic shoes.
What is covered for diabetes foot care?
Some of Medicare's foot care rules are different if you have diabetes. Notably, people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy may receive a foot exam once every 6 months. Diabetes can lead to an increased risk of serious foot problems.
Many issues are caused by nerve damage called neuropathy. Over time, this nerve damage can cause you to no longer feel any sensation in your feet. This can make it difficult to know if you've injured your foot or have a wound.
People with diabetes are also susceptible to skin damage and ulcers, which can become infected.
Additionally, diabetes can affect your circulation and reduce the blood flow to your ankles, feet, and toes. Together, all these factors can lead to serious infections that could eventually result in the need for a foot amputation.
Medicare Part B covers foot care services for people with diabetes. These services include:
nail care
removal of calluses and corns
specialized shoes and inserts
You'll need a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy to have these services covered by Medicare.
If your podiatrist recommends it, you can be covered for one pair of custom-molded or extra-depth shoes each year, too, including the fitting appointments.
Medicare will also pay for inserts to help your regular shoes provide the right support. If you prefer inserts instead of therapeutic shoes, you can get two pairs of custom-molded inserts or three pairs of extra-depth inserts each year.
How do I qualify for these benefits, and what rules apply?
To qualify for coverage, your condition needs to be under physician treatment. Your healthcare professional will need to show documentation that you're receiving treatment for a condition that requires foot care.
For Medicare to begin paying, you'll need to be receiving active care for 6 months for that condition.
Make sure you're enrolled in either Medicare Part B or a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Part A only covers hospital and long-term care expenses.
Your podiatrist or other foot care professional must be enrolled in Medicare and accept assignment. If you're using a Medicare Advantage plan, you might need to use a healthcare professional who's in your plan's network.
What costs should I expect?
Your costs will depend on whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Part B
Under Original Medicare, you'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved cost for services once you meet your deductible. In 2025, the Part B deductible is $257.
Once you've met your deductible, Medicare will typically cover 80% of the cost of medically necessary foot care services and medical equipment, including diabetic footwear, if you meet certain conditions.
You'll also need to pay the Part B premium. Most people will pay a premium of $185 per month in 2025.
You can search for the Medicare-approved costs of foot care in your area on the Medicare website.
Part C (Medicare Advantage)
When you use a Medicare Advantage plan, the costs will vary depending on your plan's rules.
You might have different coinsurance costs, a different deductible amount, or a different monthly premium. You might also need to stay in network to avoid higher costs.
If your Advantage plan offers additional foot care coverage beyond Original Medicare, the costs will be outlined in your plan details.
Medigap
Medigap plans do not provide added benefits for foot care. However, Medigap plans might cover some of the coinsurance or other out-of-pocket costs leftover from your Part B coverage.