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

Does Insurance Cover Ingrown Toenail Removal? Yes — Here’s What to Expect

If you’ve been suffering with an ingrown toenail and delaying treatment over cost concerns, stop waiting. This is one of the most universally covered podiatric procedures — and we can often treat it at your very first visit.

The Procedure

Ingrown toenail removal is quick and performed under local anesthetic in our office:

1. The toe is numbed with a brief local injection — you feel a pinch, then nothing
2. The ingrown nail border is carefully removed
3. For recurring ingrown nails, we apply a chemical (phenol) to permanently prevent regrowth — called a matrixectomy
4. The toe is bandaged; you walk out in regular shoes within minutes
5. Recovery: 1-2 weeks of simple wound care

What You’ll Pay

With insurance: your specialist copay, typically $25-$60. A permanent matrixectomy may have an additional procedure code cost. We provide estimates before your procedure.

Don’t Wait — It Gets Worse

Ingrown toenails become more painful and infected with delay. For patients with diabetes or vascular disease, an untreated ingrown toenail can become a limb-threatening infection within days. Call us — we see patients in pain quickly.

📞 Call (810) 206-1402 — we frequently treat ingrown toenails same-day.

Does Insurance Cover Ingrown Toenail Removal in Michigan? Medicare and Commercial Coverage Explained

Ingrown toenail removal (partial nail avulsion, CPT 11730; permanent nail matrixectomy, CPT 11750) is covered by Medicare Part B and virtually all commercial insurance plans in Michigan when medically necessary. For straightforward, symptomatic ingrown toenails, coverage is generally straightforward: the procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, takes approximately 10–15 minutes, and is billed with a diagnosis code (L60.0 for ingrowing nail). The patient’s cost is their applicable specialist copay or deductible/coinsurance, depending on their plan. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts all major Michigan insurance plans for ingrown toenail removal, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Priority Health, and Medicare.

The distinction between temporary nail avulsion (removing the ingrown edge without destroying the nail matrix) and permanent matrixectomy (chemically or surgically destroying the nail matrix to prevent regrowth of the offending nail border) affects both clinical outcomes and insurance coverage. Permanent matrixectomy is indicated for recurrent ingrown nails and is covered by insurance with appropriate documentation. Howell and Bloomfield Hills area patients with painful ingrown toenails can often be seen same day or next day at Balance Foot & Ankle — we reserve appointment slots for acute conditions including ingrown toenails that have become infected or are causing significant pain. Call (810) 206-1402 for same-day ingrown toenail care, and our front desk will verify your insurance benefits when you schedule.

Patients who have been managing an ingrown toenail with home remedies — soaking, cutting a “V” notch, or packing the nail corner — and find that the problem keeps recurring are candidates for a permanent matrixectomy at Balance Foot & Ankle. The permanent procedure, performed under local anesthesia in approximately 20 minutes, eliminates the ingrown nail border definitively — the narrow strip of nail matrix destroyed by phenol during the procedure never regrows the offending nail edge. Recovery involves keeping the toe dry for 48 hours, after which normal activities resume. Insurance covers the permanent matrixectomy at the same benefit level as the temporary procedure. Howell and Bloomfield Hills area patients tired of recurring ingrown toenails should call (810) 206-1402 for a same-week appointment.

Michigan patients can access expert ingrown toenail treatment in Michigan at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our board-certified podiatrists serve Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Schedule an appointment online or call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Ingrown Toenails
• PubMed Research — Ingrown Toenail Treatment Outcomes

Clinical References

1. Eekhof JA, et al. Interventions for ingrowing toenails. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;4:CD001541.
2. Heidelbaugh JJ, Lee H. Management of the ingrown toenail. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(4):303-308.
3. Bos AM, et al. Randomized clinical trial of surgical technique and local antibiotics for ingrowing toenail. Br J Surg. 2007;94(3):292-296.

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.