Does Medicare Cover Neuropathy Shoes?

Neuropathy shoes help reduce the pain in your feet caused by neuropathy. Also known as orthotic shoes, they bring relief to many.

A common question about them is “does Medicare cover neuropathy shoes?” We answer this question below (in plain English!) and also provide average costs or neuropathy shoes and other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Neuropathy Shoes?

Usually, Medicare does not cover neuropathy inserts or shoes.

However, if the orthotic shoes will be used by diabetic patients who are experiencing poor circulation or neuropathy, then Medicare will make exceptions.

Medicare considers neuropathy shoes are as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), which Medicare Part B covers. It will cover 80% of the cost, and the rest you will pay out of pocket.

Medicare will cover:

A pair of custom-molded shoes with inserts
A pair of extra-depth shoes
Two extra pairs of inserts for custom-molded shoes every calendar year
Three additional pairs of inserts for extra-depth shoes

They can also cover shoe modification costs rather than inserts.

But for Medicare to cover your neuropathy shoes, you need to be experiencing at least three of these conditions below:

Diabetes
Foot deformity
Neuropathy caused by diabetes
Foot ulcers
Amputated foot
Poor circulation

And before they cover your orthopedic shoes, you will need a prescription stating why you need the shoes from your Medicare-approved doctor.

Your supplier of orthopedic shoes must also be Medicare-approved. Here are some suppliers where you can get your orthopedic shoes:

Amazon
Walmart
No Cost Shoes
Healthy Feet Store

How Much Do Orthopedic Shoes Cost?

The price of orthopedic shoes can range from $50 to $200 per pair.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy, or in simpler terms, nerve damage, can be caused by several factors. This includes illnesses and conditions such as diabetes and even chemotherapy, one of the treatments against cancer. It is also known as peripheral neuropathy.

Unlike most conditions, peripheral neuropathy is not a single health condition. And it is a term used to define a lot of different health problems that involve damage to the peripheral nerves.

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on the condition that caused it. But according to the Mayo Clinic and NINDS or National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, common symptoms for neuropathy may include:

Numbness (both temporary and permanent)
Tingling
Prickling
Pain
Weakness in muscles
Paralysis
Organ and gland dysfunction
Increased sensitivity to touch
Urination and sexual function impairment

Some of the conditions below causes neuropathy:

Diabetes
Idiopathic Neuropathy
Chemotherapy
HIV
Nutrient deficiency

Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathy, with 60 percent of people suffering from peripheral neuropathy has diabetes. This is followed by Idiopathic neuropathy.

Even though some conditions that cause peripheral neuropathy are beyond repair, the condition itself can be prevented by making some changes in your diet, lifestyle, and treatment.

Orthotic shoes can be of great help to neuropathy, especially to those caused by diabetes. Orthotic shoes can give your feet relief from different kinds of pain and conditions like foot pain, back pain, and osteoarthritis.

Types Of Neuropathy

1. Mononeuropathy occurs when only one of your nerves is damaged.

2. Polyneuropathy often involves damage to multiple nerves in your body.

Autonomic neuropathy affects bodily functions or blood pressure and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
Sensory neuropathy affects our senses and even balance
Motor neuropathy affects our movement and reflexes.

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may impact what gets covered and what doesn’t. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what is and isn’t covered by your plan.