Medicare.gov

Foot care (other)

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain types of foot care if you’re eligible

  • Covered by Part B
  • Costs vary depending on your situation

Description

Foot care can help prevent or treat conditions of the foot and ankle.

Coverage details

Part B covers podiatrist (foot doctor) foot exams or treatment if you need medically necessary treatment for foot injuries or diseases (like hammer toe, bunion deformities, and heel spurs).

Medicare doesn’t usually cover routine foot care, like:

  • Cutting or removing corns and calluses
  • Trimming, cutting, or clipping nails
  • Hygienic or other preventive maintenance, like cleaning and soaking your feet

Who's eligible

  • You must need medically necessary treatment for foot injuries or diseases

Costs

  • After you meet the Part B deductible , you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for medically necessary treatment you get from your doctor or other health care provider .
  • In a hospital outpatient setting , you also pay a copayment for medically necessary treatment.
  • In most cases, you pay all costs for non-covered services, like routine foot care. If (in very limited circumstances) Medicare covers your routine foot care, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible.

Ask your doctor or healthcare provider how much your test, item, or service will cost.

Your doctor may recommend services that Medicare does not cover or offers too frequently. This could end up in additional costs for you. Make sure to ask your doctor about the reasons for these recommendations and what Medicare will actually cover.

Specific amounts you could owe depend on:

  • Other insurance you may have

  • How much your doctor charges

  • If your doctor accepts assignment

  • The type of facility

  • Where you get your test, item, or service