Does Medicare Cover Your Therapeutic Shoes?
The answer is often YES — and here’s how to find out. If you have Medicare and a qualifying condition like diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, or balance issues — you may qualify for therapeutic shoes at little or no cost to you.
Medicare May Cover Up to 80% of Your Therapeutic Footwear
Important: Rejuva Sole is an educational resource and is not a Medicare provider. Therapeutic shoes purchased through Amazon or other retail websites generally do not qualify for Medicare reimbursement. To use your Medicare benefit, obtain a prescription from your doctor and work with a Medicare-enrolled supplier.
Here’s how to get started in 3 simple steps.
✅ Step 1 — Check If You Qualify
You may qualify if you have ANY of these conditions:
- Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in feet)
- Poor circulation
- Foot deformities (bunions, hammertoes)
- Balance or mobility issues
- History of foot ulcers or infections
✅ Step 2 — Talk To Your Doctor
Ask your doctor to fill out the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Form. Your doctor signs it confirming you need therapeutic footwear. Print it and bring it to your next appointment — or ask your doctor’s office to complete it directly.
📞 Need Help? Call Medicare Free 24/7
Real people are available anytime to answer your Medicare questions — completely free.
✅ What Medicare Covers — Quick Summary
- Up to 1 pair of therapeutic shoes per year
- Custom inserts included
- Medicare pays 80% of approved cost
- Your supplemental insurance may cover the remaining 20%
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get therapeutic shoes if I have neuropathy but not diabetes?
No, Medicare specifically requires both diabetes and a qualifying foot condition like neuropathy. The program was designed exclusively for diabetic foot disease. If you have neuropathy from other causes (like chemotherapy or back problems), these shoes aren’t covered under this Medicare benefit, though you should ask your doctor about other possible coverage options.
Q: How often can I replace my therapeutic shoes?
Medicare covers one pair of therapeutic shoes per calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. You can’t get replacement shoes more frequently, even if yours wear out. However, you can get either three pairs of inserts with extra-depth shoes or two additional pairs with custom-molded shoes, and you can spread these insert replacements throughout the year.
Q: What happens if my doctor isn’t enrolled in Medicare?
If any provider in the process—your certifying physician, prescribing practitioner, or shoe supplier—isn’t enrolled in Medicare, your claim will be denied completely. You’ll be responsible for 100% of the cost with no possibility of Medicare reimbursement. Always verify Medicare enrollment before starting the process by checking Medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Q: Will Medicare Advantage plans cover therapeutic shoes the same way?
Medicare Advantage plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers, including therapeutic shoes, but they may have different rules. Some require prior authorization, limit you to specific suppliers, or have different cost-sharing amounts. Check with your specific plan for their requirements before getting shoes.
Q: Do I need to see a podiatrist to get therapeutic shoes?
No, you don’t necessarily need a podiatrist. Your diabetes doctor can both certify and prescribe the shoes. However, many people find it helpful to see a podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care, especially if they both prescribe and supply the shoes. Just remember that if a podiatrist prescribes the shoes, your diabetes doctor must review and approve their findings
⚠️ Important: Links on this website are for out-of-pocket retail purchases only. If you have Medicare Part B and a qualifying diagnosis, you may be eligible to receive therapeutic shoes at little or no cost — but Medicare benefits cannot be combined with Amazon or other retail purchases. To use your Medicare benefit, bring your doctor’s prescription to a local Medicare-enrolled DME supplier instead.