Free Diabetic Shoes – Who Qualifies?

Many people with diabetes can benefit from wearing a pair of diabetic shoes. These specially made shoes will reduce the risk of skin breakdown in people who suffer from diabetes. While diabetic shoes are helpful to many who have this condition, they can be expensive. Many people who have diabetes qualify to receive free diabetic shoes but because it’s not widely advertised, they may not even know they could get their shoes for free!

Senior citizens who are receiving Medicare will often qualify to receive free diabetic shoes. For Medicare patients, having diabetes alone is not enough to qualify for free shoes. Those who receive Medicare benefits must also have another condition, such as poor circulation, previous foot ulceration, foot deformity, or a history of neuropathy. Those who have undergone a partial or complete foot amputation will also qualify. Patients with Medicare should check with their Medicare provider or physician to see if they qualify.

In many states, those who are receiving Medicaid benefits will also qualify to receive this special footwear at no cost to them. Whether or not additional conditions must be met depends on the state and the type of coverage, so patients should check with their Medicaid provider to see if they qualify for this coverage.

Additionally, many private insurance companies are beginning to see the advantages of prevention and are starting to cover the cost of diabetic footwear for their customers. Some insurance companies will cover the cost of diabetic shoes for all customers who have been diagnosed with diabetes and others will only cover the cost for those who also are prone to foot problems or disease. People with diabetes should check with their insurance company to learn about the conditions required to have this specialized footwear paid for through their insurance.

It’s also important to note that patients who have diabetes and believe they should qualify for free diabetic shoes should speak to their doctor. Most insurance companies will require a physician to recommend the shoes and essentially write a prescription for the patient to purchase special shoes before they will cover or reimburse the associated costs.

Last, patients who qualify to receive free diabetic footwear through Medicare, Medicaid, or their private insurance company may also qualify for special foot inserts that can be used with shoes that they already own. Conditions to qualify for inserts are typically the same as those required to qualify for diabetic shoes.