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Diabetes can increase a person's   risk of having foot problems.   Because the extreme consequence   is amputation, foot care for   people with diabetes becomes a   daily priority.		Risk conditions of the feet are associated with diabetes. Diabetes frequently results in peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that occurs in the feet. The nerve damage can lead to loss of sensation in the feet, leaving a patient unable to feel pressure, friction, pain, heat or cold.     For people with diabetes, gradual loss of feeling in the feet interferes with the ability to judge whether shoes fit and perform as they should. Friction or rubbing inside shoes can go unnoticed and produce a break in the skin, or an ulcerated lesion on the foot. Vascular impairment due to diabetes further inhibits the ability for wounds on the feet to heal.   The Centers for Disease Control has estimated that 82,000 lower limb amputations due to diabetes occur annually (2000-2001) - and experts agree that most are preventable with comprehensive foot care programs, including appropriate footwear that is properly fitted and designed to reduce the conditions that put such feet at risk.   Specialized foot orthotics for risk conditions of diabetes protect the feet. They are designed to prevent excess callus build up, and reduce friction and peak pressures that can lead to ulcerated lesions (blisters and infections.)   Therapeutic Shoe Benefit for Persons with Diabetes and Complications   In May 1993, Congress amended Medicare statutes to provide partial reimbursement for depth shoes, custom molded shoes, and shoe inserts or modifications to qualifying Medicare Part B patients with diabetes. Most insurers and HMOs provide some level of coverage for diabetic footcare.   If you have Medicare Part B benefits and have diabetes, you may be entitled to reimbursement for shoes and orthotics in the care of feet for conditions associated with diabetes.   In order to qualify, you must have a diagnosis of diabetes with at least one of the following conditions: History of partial or complete amputation of the foot History of previous foot ulceration History of pre-ulcerative callus Peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation Foot deformity Poor circulation If you meet at least one of the above qualifications, you need two completed forms, with original signatures: a) A Statement of Certifying Physician, certifying your condition, completed by the physician managing your diabetes, and   b) A prescription, completed by an M.D. or D.P.M. Medicare Benefits Forms .pdf format   Medicare reimburses 80% of the allowable charges. If you have a supplemental insurance policy, the insurance company may reimburse the 20% copay in accordance with Medicare policy. Check your policy for coverage.   If you have not met your yearly Medicare deductible, you may be responsible for the portion of the deductible that remains.   People not covered by Medicare may inquire with their insurance carrier about the benefit and requirements for reimbursement.   For more information about your own footcare, and to obtain your prescribed shoes and orthotics, please call for an appointment to visit our pedorthic facility.   Boston Pedorthic is an accredited facility by the Board for Certification in Pedorthics (BCP) and staffed by professionals for treating conditions of the foot associated with diabetes.   For an appointment call (781) 935-3223   Related Links:   Professional Fitting   Custom Fabrication   Appointments   What to Expect at Your Appointment
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