OT-will medicare buy shoes? | Arthritis Information

 

Hi, I heard that medicare will buy shoes if the doc prescribes them? Does anyone know? How would I ask? Lynda

 

Lynda, I don't know.  Do you have a case manager for you?  If you do I would call them or I would call the foot doctor and ask their office manager.  They will usually know if they Rx them, if Medicare will cover. 

This is what I found:

Medicare does not cover:

• Your monthly Part B premium (.50 in 2006)
• deductibles, coinsurance or copayments when you get health care services
• routine or yearly physical exams
• custodial care (help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating) at home or in a nursing home
• most dental care and dentures
• routine foot care
• hearing aids
• routine eye care
• health care you get while traveling outside of the United States (except under limited circumstances)
• cosmetic surgery
• some vaccinations
• orthopedic shoes

this is more detailed, but still says basically no.

Medicare does not cover routine or preventative services, such as:

• Routine physical examinations;
• Most dental care (except for emergency restorative services or where the jaw or bone supporting the teeth is involved);
• Routine eye examinations, eyeglasses or contact lenses (except when associated with eye disease or injury;
• Hearing aids and related examinations;
• Orthopedic shoes (except when you need them for symptoms of diabetes, or they are an integral part of leg braces); and
• Some immunizations.

BUT...

I agree to call either Medicare or your worker/case manager.
Part B will cover some shoe and shoe parts needed for diabetics. Well, thanks everyone for the info, I don't have diabetes! Lynda
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