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Does Medicare cover orthotics? If you have diabetes-related foot disease or wear a leg brace, it can. If your feet just hurt, the answer is usually no, and that is where a personalized fitting comes in.
- Original Medicare Part B covers therapeutic shoes and inserts only for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease, plus orthopedic shoes that are part of a leg brace.
- Arch supports for everyday foot discomfort, like sore arches, flat feet, or tired feet after a long day, generally fall outside those benefits.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans add foot care benefits, so Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) is a good time to check yours.
- The Good Feet Store offers a free, personalized fitting and same-day Good Feet Arch Supports, which are eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursement.
Does Medicare cover orthotics? If you have diabetes-related foot disease or wear a leg brace, it can. If you are on Medicare and your feet simply ache after a walk, a morning in the garden, or a day of travel, the answer is usually no. Original Medicare covers a short list of foot-related items for specific medical situations, and most arch supports people buy for everyday comfort are not on it. This article covers what Medicare does pay for, what to check before Open Enrollment ends, and what to do if your feet need help and Medicare isn't going to provide it.
What Original Medicare Covers for Orthotics
Medicare.gov says Part B covers therapeutic shoes and inserts for people who have diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease, such as a foot ulcer or deformity. The doctor treating your diabetes has to certify the need, and a podiatrist or other qualified doctor has to order them. Each calendar year, coverage extends to one of two options: a pair of custom-molded shoes with two additional pairs of inserts, or a pair of extra-depth shoes with three additional pairs of inserts.
Medicare also covers orthopedic shoes when they are a necessary part of a leg brace, and medically necessary ankle-foot and knee-ankle-foot orthotics fall under Part B's braces benefit.
After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment. Medicare only pays when your doctor and supplier are both enrolled in Medicare, so ask a supplier whether they participate before you order anything.
What Medicare Does Not Cover
Every item above is tied to a diagnosis or a brace. Routine foot care is also generally not covered, with exceptions for people with conditions such as diabetes. If you have diabetes or a foot condition that may qualify, start with your doctor or podiatrist and ask whether the therapeutic shoe benefit applies to you.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Differ
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers, and many include benefits beyond Original Medicare. According to Mutual of Omaha, some plans cover routine foot care and orthotics that Original Medicare does not. Coverage, limits, and approved suppliers vary by plan and by year, so your plan's own documents are the source to trust.
What to Check Before Open Enrollment Ends
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and changes take effect January 1. If foot care matters to you, bring these questions to your plan comparison:
- Does the plan cover therapeutic shoes or inserts, and what are the eligibility requirements?
- Does it include routine foot care or podiatry visits, and are there visit limits?
- Which suppliers are in network?
- Is there a prior authorization requirement, a dollar cap, or a coinsurance amount for orthotics?
The Medicare Plan Finder lets you compare plans in your area, and your current plan's Annual Notice of Change lists what is different for next year.
Foot Relief Without a Diabetes Diagnosis or a Leg Brace
Plenty of people on Medicare have neither of those. What they have is arches that tire out by afternoon, heels that complain first thing in the morning, or flat feet that have gotten louder over the years. They still want to keep walking, gardening, traveling, and chasing grandkids, and they don't want to wait for a diagnosis before doing something about it.
That is the group The Good Feet Store was built for. Since 1992, our Arch Support Specialists have been helping people find support for everyday foot discomfort, with no referral, no claim forms, and no waiting on an approval. You walk in, get fitted, and leave with your supports the same day.
How Good Feet Arch Supports Work
Good Feet Arch Supports are made in the U.S. from semi-rigid polymers that hold their shape under body weight. They are designed to support the arch rather than only cushion it, which may help improve how weight moves through your feet over the course of a day. Most people don't need a new closet of shoes either. The supports are designed to work in almost any shoe you already own, and our Maintainer and Relaxer lines work in sandals and flip-flops too.
Most people are fitted with our 3-Step System, three supports designed to work together through different parts of your day:
- Strengthener: designed to help reposition the foot into a more natural, supported state
- Maintainer: reinforces alignment during daily activity
- Relaxer: gives your feet a place to recover while helping reduce strain through your body
What a Free Fitting Looks Like
A fitting at The Good Feet Store starts with a digital foot scan, then a conversation with an Arch Support Specialist about how you spend your days. Walking the dog, standing at a kitchen counter, volunteering, golf, church on Sunday morning, all of it shapes what your feet need. You try supports on during a test walk in your own shoes, so you know how they feel before you decide anything.
The fitting is free, there is no obligation, and walk-ins are welcome. If you decide to move forward, you take your supports home the same day, and every purchase is backed by our 90-Day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, with follow-up fittings along the way if your supports need an adjustment.
Paying for Arch Supports Without Medicare
The Good Feet Store is not a medical provider and does not accept or process insurance claims, including Medicare claims. Good Feet Arch Supports are eligible for reimbursement with an FSA, HSA, or HRA, and our article on FSA and HSA eligibility covers the account types, the exceptions, and what to confirm with your administrator. Our FAQ also covers insurance, reimbursement, and the payment options we offer.
Finding Support for Your Feet
If Medicare isn't going to cover what your feet need, you still have a way to get started. Stop by your nearest store for a free fitting and see what a personalized arch support feels like, or browse our arch support solutions first. With 300+ locations nationwide, most fittings take place the same day.
Questions About Medicare and Orthotics
Does Medicare cover orthotics?
Original Medicare covers orthotics in limited situations. Part B covers therapeutic shoes and inserts for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease, orthopedic shoes that are part of a leg brace, and medically necessary ankle-foot or knee-ankle-foot orthotics. After the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount if your supplier accepts assignment.
Does Medicare cover arch supports?
Generally not for everyday foot discomfort. Original Medicare's foot-related benefits are tied to diabetes-related foot disease or leg braces, so arch supports bought for flat feet, arch pain, or tired feet are usually paid for out of pocket or with an FSA or HSA. Some Medicare Advantage plans include extra foot care benefits, so check your plan's coverage documents.
What can I do for foot pain if Medicare won't cover arch supports?
You can visit The Good Feet Store for a free, personalized fitting. A specialist scans your feet, talks through your daily routine, and fits you with Good Feet Arch Supports that you can take home the same day. Arch supports may help relieve everyday foot discomfort for some wearers, though results vary.
Does Medicare cover shoe inserts for diabetes?
Yes, if you qualify. Part B covers therapeutic shoes and inserts for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease. The doctor treating your diabetes must certify the need, and you must get the items from a Medicare-enrolled supplier such as a podiatrist, orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist. Coverage is limited to one set of shoes and a set number of inserts per calendar year.
Does Medicare Advantage cover orthotics?
It depends on the plan. Medicare Advantage plans must cover what Original Medicare covers, and many add benefits such as routine foot care. Coverage amounts, limits, and approved suppliers differ from plan to plan, so review your plan's Evidence of Coverage or call the plan before you buy.
The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or insurance advice. Los especialistas en soporte del arco de Buenos Pies no son profesionales sanitarios titulados y no diagnostican condiciones ni prescriben tratamientos. Coverage rules vary by plan and can change, so confirm details with Medicare or your plan administrator. Si usted tiene diabetes, neuropatía, trastornos circulatorios, úlceras en el pie o ha tenido una cirugía reciente en el pie, consulte a un profesional sanitario titulado antes de utilizar soportes de arco.