How do Shoes help me manage my diabetes?   

One of the most common complications of diabetes is neuropathy, a loss of feeling that puts diabetics like you at risk for skin breakdown, foot ulceration and infection.  Improperly fitting or incorrect shoes contribute to these problems that ultimately lead to amputations.  More than 1,500 amputations are performed each week.

To protect your feet, your doctor can prescribe therapeutic shoes and orthotics.  These products are available to you under Medicare's Therapeutic Shoe Program.

Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program

In an effort to prevent foot ulcers in people with diabetes who are at risk, Medicare will help pay for therapeutic shoes.  For those who qualify, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the allowed amount for one pair of shoes and up to three pairs of orthotics (inserts) per year.  (The allowed amount varies depending on the kind of footwear you need.)  Most secondary insurers will help pay the other 20 percent.

How do I Qualify?

To qualify, you must be under a comprehensive diabetes treatment plan and have one or more of the following:

• 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
  

The physician treating you for your diabetes must certify that you; have diabetes, that you have one or more of the foot problems just mentioned, that you are under a comprehensive diabetes treatment plan, and that you need the special shoes.  Medicare has a form for this certification.  You will also need a prescription for the shoes.

Coverage is limited to one of the following per calendar year:

• One pair of off-the-shelf extra-depth shoes and three additional pairs of orthotics.  Extra-depth shoes have room to               accommodate innersoles or orthotics.
• One pair of off-the-shelf extra-depth shoes including a modification, and two additional pairs of special inserts.
• One pair of custom-molded shoes and two additional pairs of special inserts.
  

  
Why Choose Diamond Point for Therapeutic Shoes?

In a word, SERVICE.  Our commitment to you starts with delivering the best QUALITY shoes and orthotics in the industry.  We've established supplier relationships with some of the best orthotic labs in the country.  Depending upon your need, we can custom fabricate or heat mold prefabricated orthotics to meet them.  We have chosen a broad selection of extra depth shoes from over twenty manufacturers to offer a greater VARIETY of styles.  Our professional staff's only concern is your satisfaction.  Each staff person at Diamond Point is devoted to, and passionate about helping you better manage your diabetes.  Our Certified Pedorthist manages a staff that guarantees a perfect fit every time.

Shoes from more than twenty manufacturers, include:

• Dr. Comfort
• Propet
• Drew
• Orthofeet
• Aetrex
• PW Minor
• Apis