✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

CMS Survey Readiness — How On-Site Podiatry Supports Your Nursing Home’s Quality Scores

Podiatry and Your CMS Survey: The Connection Administrators Should Know

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) surveys evaluate nursing facilities against quality metrics that directly involve foot health. Pressure ulcers, falls, wound management, and chronic condition management are all survey domains where podiatric care makes a measurable difference. Balance Foot & Ankle’s facility partnership program supports survey readiness across multiple quality indicators.

CMS Quality Metrics Where Podiatry Makes a Difference

Pressure ulcer prevention and management: Heel pressure ulcers are among the most common and most survey-scrutinized wounds in nursing homes. Our regular foot assessments identify early heel breakdown before it progresses to reportable stage 2+ wounds. Our MLS laser therapy accelerates healing of any wounds that do develop.

Fall reduction: Falls and fall injuries are high-weight CMS quality metrics. Foot-related fall risk factors (neuropathy, improper footwear, deformity) are addressable with regular podiatric intervention — reducing the fall rate that impacts your star rating.

Diabetic foot care documentation: CMS expects documented diabetic foot assessments for diabetic residents. Our visit notes provide the documentation your facility needs.

Resident rights and dignity: Painful, neglected feet — untrimmed nails, untreated infections, unmanaged corns — constitute a dignity concern. Our regular presence demonstrates your commitment to whole-person care.

Documentation That Supports Your Survey

After every visit, we provide detailed clinical notes including assessment findings, interventions performed, and follow-up plans. This documentation becomes part of the resident’s medical record and supports your survey readiness file.

Call Balance Foot & Ankle to discuss how our facility program supports your quality metrics: (810) 206-1402

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills location.

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle is straightforward — call (810) 206-1402 during business hours and our front desk team will find an appointment time that works for your schedule, verify your insurance coverage before the visit, and answer any preliminary questions you have about what to expect. Our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River has convenient parking and is easily accessible from I-96, M-59, and Grand River Avenue. Our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 is located on Woodward Avenue with parking adjacent to the building. Both locations are accessible by patients throughout Southeast Michigan, and our team looks forward to providing you with the professional, evidence-based podiatric care that you and your feet deserve.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Clinical References

1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual, Appendix PP — Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities. CMS.gov. 2024.
2. Lazzarini PA, Pacella RE, Armstrong DG, van Netten JJ. Diabetes-related lower-extremity complications are a leading cause of the global burden of disability. Diabet Med. 2018;35(9):1297-1306.
3. Jessup RL. Foot pathology and inappropriate footwear as risk factors for falls in a subacute aged-care hospital. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2007;97(3):213-217.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.