Diabetic Shoe Fitting in Howell, MI — Livingston County Medicare Shoe Program

Medicare Diabetic Shoes — Right Here in Howell, No Detroit Drive Required

Balance Foot & Ankle at 4330 E Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843 provides the complete Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program for Livingston County diabetic patients. You no longer need to travel to Oakland County or Metro Detroit for quality diabetic shoe fitting — our Howell office carries the same premium therapeutic shoe brands and handles the entire Medicare process from eligibility verification through final fitting. Call (810) 206-1402.

What Medicare Covers for Diabetic Shoes

Under Medicare Part B’s Therapeutic Shoe Program, qualifying diabetic patients receive: one pair of extra-depth therapeutic shoes OR custom-molded shoes per calendar year, plus three pairs of custom inserts OR two pairs of custom-molded inserts. Medicare pays 80%; most supplemental insurance (including Medigap and many Medicare Advantage plans) covers the remaining 20%. Most of our patients pay $0 out of pocket for their diabetic shoes. This benefit resets every January 1 — if you haven’t used it this year, call us now before it expires.

Who Qualifies

To qualify for the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program, you need: a diabetes diagnosis on Medicare AND at least one of the following conditions — peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation, a history of pre-ulcerative callus, a history of foot ulceration, foot deformity, previous amputation of a foot or part of a foot, or poor circulation. The vast majority of diabetic patients with any foot complications qualify. If you’re not sure, call us — we’ll help determine your eligibility before your appointment.

Our Process at the Howell Office

Step 1: We verify your Medicare eligibility and confirm your qualifying diagnosis with your physician (or Grunberger Diabetes Institute for Bloomfield Hills patients). Step 2: You visit our Howell office for a comprehensive fitting — we assess your foot shape, measure pressure distribution, and evaluate your specific needs (extra-depth vs. custom-molded). Step 3: We order your shoes from our therapeutic footwear suppliers. Step 4: You return in approximately 2–3 weeks for final fitting and dispensing. Step 5: We file the Medicare claim directly — you don’t handle any paperwork. Most patients walk out in their new therapeutic shoes at no cost.

Diabetic Shoe Brands We Carry

Our Howell office carries therapeutic shoe brands specifically approved for the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program, including extra-depth styles from leading therapeutic footwear manufacturers. All shoes feature: extra depth to accommodate custom inserts and foot deformities, wide toe boxes to eliminate pressure on bunions and hammertoes, seamless interiors to prevent friction injuries in neuropathic feet, rigid heel counters for stability, and removable insoles for custom insert placement. Styles are available in men’s and women’s, including athletic, casual, and dress options — you won’t have to sacrifice your style for foot safety.

Custom Inserts Included

The program covers custom inserts designed specifically for your feet. Unlike generic drugstore insoles, these are pressure-mapped to your individual foot shape using our gait analysis technology, designed to redistribute pressure away from high-risk areas (callus locations, previous ulcer sites, bony prominences), and replaced annually through Medicare — ensuring you always have properly fitted inserts as your feet change over time.

Why Therapeutic Shoes Matter for Diabetic Patients

For non-diabetic patients, an ill-fitting shoe is just uncomfortable. For a diabetic patient with neuropathy, an ill-fitting shoe can cause a pressure ulcer that you can’t feel developing. Left untreated (because you can’t feel it), that ulcer can progress to infection, osteomyelitis (bone infection), and in severe cases, amputation. Medicare offers therapeutic shoes precisely because they prevent these catastrophic outcomes — and the program costs Medicare far less than treating even a single serious diabetic foot infection. Don’t leave this benefit on the table.

Livingston County Patients We Serve

Our Howell location serves diabetic patients throughout Livingston County: Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Hamburg Township, Whitmore Lake, Gregory, Cohoctah, Tyrone Township, Marion Township, and all surrounding communities. Most patients are within 20–25 minutes of our E Grand River Ave office. Free parking. Accessible facility.

Book Your Diabetic Shoe Fitting

Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule your Medicare diabetic shoe fitting at our Howell, Michigan office. We verify insurance before your appointment — no surprises. Appointments available Monday through Friday with early morning and late afternoon slots available. Don’t miss this year’s benefit — call today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my benefit if I got shoes elsewhere last year? Yes — the Medicare benefit resets every January 1 regardless of where you got your previous pair. You can receive your new pair at our office even if you used a different provider previously.

Does my physician need to be involved? Yes — Medicare requires a certifying physician who manages your diabetes (PCP, endocrinologist, or internist) to certify your need. We coordinate directly with your physician’s office to obtain the necessary documentation. You don’t need to manage this yourself.

How long does the fitting appointment take? The initial fitting appointment takes approximately 45–60 minutes. The final dispensing appointment (when your shoes arrive) takes about 20–30 minutes.

What if I have very unusual foot shapes (Charcot, severe bunions, amputations)? Custom-molded shoes are available for patients whose feet cannot be fit in off-the-shelf extra-depth shoes. These are fabricated to a cast of your foot and provide superior accommodation for complex foot shapes. Ask about this option when you call.

Related Treatment Guides

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

Medical References & Sources

• American Diabetes Association — Foot Complications
• PubMed Research — Diabetic Foot Care
• American Podiatric Medical Association — Diabetic Foot

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.