Quick answer: A first visit at Balance Foot & Ankle is $250 flat when you pay cash — and that one price includes the exam, digital X-rays, and same-day treatment such as nail care, an ingrown toenail procedure, or prefabricated orthotics when they are warranted. Follow-up visits are $100. Billed piece by piece elsewhere, that same first visit commonly runs $475–$825. You get the number before you come in, in writing if you want it. Book online or call (810) 206-1402 for a same-day quote.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Editorial Policy
Booking as a self-pay patient
Use the self-pay request below — it does not ask for insurance. If you do want to run your insurance instead, the standard scheduler works too.
Request a $250 self-pay visit Book with insurance — Howell Book with insurance — Bloomfield TownshipWhat a podiatrist costs without insurance in Michigan
Paying out of pocket should not mean guessing. Below is exactly what we charge self-pay patients at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices — the price you pay when no insurance is billed.
Most practices quote you a visit fee and then add the X-ray, the procedure, and the insole on top, so the number you were told is not the number you pay. We bundled the common first visit into a single figure instead. Your first visit is $250 whether you need one thing done or four.
| Service | Self-pay price |
|---|---|
| First visit — all-in Exam, digital X-rays, and same-day nail care, ingrown toenail treatment, or prefabricated orthotics when warranted | $250 |
| Follow-up visit | $100 |
| Quoted separately — you approve the price before we proceed | |
| Custom orthotics (per pair) | $350–$550 |
| Cortisone injection | $150–$300 |
| Plantar wart treatment (per session) | $125–$300 |
| Nail-fungus laser — single session | $350–$600 |
| Nail-fungus laser — full program (3–4 sessions) | $900–$1,800 |
| Wound-care visit | $150–$350 |
What that same visit costs when it is billed piece by piece
The $250 is not a discount off a padded number. It is what you would pay four separate times at most offices, charged once. Here is the same appointment, itemized the way it is normally billed to a self-pay patient:
| What happens at the visit | Typical separate self-pay charge | At Balance Foot & Ankle |
|---|---|---|
| New-patient exam | $150–$275 | Included |
| Digital X-rays, 3 views | $40–$85 | Included |
| Ingrown toenail procedure | $250–$375 | Included |
| Prefabricated orthotics | $35–$90 | Included |
| Total for the visit | $475–$825 | $250 |
That last line is the part worth reading twice. If your visit turns out to need the exam, the X-ray, the nail procedure, and an insole, the price is still $250. You are not penalized for having more than one thing wrong, and we are not deciding what to do based on what it adds to your bill.
Your right to a Good Faith Estimate
Under the federal No Surprises Act, if you are uninsured or choosing not to use your insurance, you have the right to a written Good Faith Estimate of what your care will cost before you receive it. This is your right by law, not a courtesy.
Ask us and we will put your estimate in writing. If your final bill comes in more than $400 above the written estimate, federal law gives you the right to dispute it. We would rather tell you the number up front than have you avoid care because you could not find out what it costs.
If we are not in network with your plan
We accept most major Michigan plans, but not every one. If you call and find out we are out of network with yours — or your plan wants a referral or a prior authorization you do not want to chase — you do not have to start over with another office.
You can choose to pay the $250 self-pay rate instead. It is your decision, not your insurer’s. When you do:
- There is no referral to obtain and no prior authorization to wait on
- There is no claim filed, so nothing gets denied months later
- You are seen this week rather than after an approval cycle
- You get an itemized receipt with the procedure codes on it, which you can submit to your plan yourself for out-of-network reimbursement, or apply toward your deductible
One thing worth checking before you decide: if you have a high-deductible plan and have not met the deductible this year, you owe the full negotiated rate anyway — and for a first visit with X-rays and a procedure, that negotiated total frequently lands above $250. In that situation, paying cash is not the expensive option. It is the cheaper one, and it is faster.
If you are not sure which way is cheaper for your specific plan, the next section walks through how to compare them — or just call (810) 206-1402 and ask.
Self-pay vs. using your insurance: which actually costs less?
If you have a high-deductible plan and have not met your deductible, paying our self-pay rate directly can cost less than the insurance-negotiated rate you would owe in full anyway. Negotiated rates are sometimes higher than our cash rates.
You do not have to work this out alone. Tell our billing team you want both numbers compared, and we will tell you which one is lower for your situation before you commit. It costs you nothing to ask.
How to pay for podiatry care without insurance
Not having insurance does not mean you are out of options.
Ask for the self-pay rate directly
Always ask up front. We maintain a separate self-pay fee schedule that is reduced from standard billing rates. Book online or call (810) 206-1402 and ask what your visit will cost before you book.
Use your HSA or FSA
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts cover podiatry visits, custom orthotics, and most foot-care procedures. Because these use pre-tax dollars, they effectively discount your care by roughly 20–37% depending on your tax bracket. Eligible over-the-counter insoles and braces qualify too. We accept HSA and FSA cards at both offices.
Cards, check, and cash
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, check, and cash at both locations, payable at check-out after your visit.
Financing for larger costs
For larger costs like orthotics, a nail-fungus program, or a procedure, we accept CareCredit — a healthcare financing card with terms from 6 to 24 months depending on the amount financed. Ask our front desk for an application, or apply before your visit so the approval is already in place. We do not offer in-house payment plans, so CareCredit is the route we recommend if you need to spread a larger cost.
Sliding-scale clinics and Medicaid
Federally Qualified Health Centers in Michigan provide care on a sliding scale based on income; you can find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Most offer primary care with limited podiatry, so call ahead. If your income has changed, it is also worth checking whether you now qualify for Michigan Medicaid — enrollment is open year-round, and Michigan Medicaid does cover medically necessary podiatry.
What to expect at your self-pay visit
Self-pay patients receive identical clinical care to insured patients. The evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations do not change based on how you are paying.
When you call to schedule, tell us you are paying self-pay so we can confirm current rates and answer cost questions before your appointment. Payment is collected at check-out. If Dr. Biernacki recommends something additional during the visit — an X-ray, an injection, a nail procedure — you are told the cost before we proceed, and you can decide whether to do it that day or schedule it separately. We can provide an itemized receipt for HSA reimbursement or tax purposes.
What to bring to your first visit
- Photo ID
- A list of your current medications and any allergies
- Previous imaging, if you have it (CD or USB)
- A brief history of the problem — what you have already tried
- Comfortable shoes; you may be asked to walk for gait analysis
- Loose-fitting clothing for the foot and ankle exam
- Your questions, written down
Do not wait for an appointment if any of these apply. Most foot and ankle problems can wait 48–72 hours. These cannot — call (810) 206-1402 or go to the emergency department the same day:
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the foot or toes that was not there 24 hours ago
- Inability to bear any weight on the foot or ankle
- A visible deformity, dislocation, or open wound exposing tissue underneath
- Fever together with redness, warmth, or red streaking up the leg (possible cellulitis)
- A diabetic foot wound of any size — even a small blister or cut
Cost should never be the reason one of these goes unseen. Call us and we will work out the money afterward.
Foot and ankle surgery costs without insurance
Surgical costs are quoted individually, because the figure depends on the procedure, the facility, and anesthesia. The ranges below are what self-pay patients in Michigan can generally expect as an all-in cost. We will not let you walk into surgery without a written number.
| Procedure | Typical self-pay range |
|---|---|
| Bunion correction | $4,000–$7,500 |
| Hammertoe correction (per toe) | $2,500–$5,000 |
| Ankle arthroscopy | $5,000–$9,000 |
If a surgical cost is out of reach right now, say so. There is almost always a conservative treatment ladder worth exhausting first, and in many cases it resolves the problem without surgery at all. That conversation is free.
How to lower what you pay out of pocket
- Get everything done on day one. X-rays and same-day procedures are already inside the $250 first-visit price, so having them done at that first appointment costs you nothing extra. Splitting them across two visits adds a $100 follow-up.
- Ask about the conservative option first. Many conditions respond to a prefabricated insole and activity changes before custom orthotics are warranted — and the prefabricated insole is already included in your first visit.
- Use pre-tax dollars. An HSA or FSA effectively cuts 20–37% off the same care.
- Do not delay a small problem. An ingrown nail treated early is handled inside your $250 first visit; the same nail after it becomes infected may need antibiotics, wound care, and more than one appointment.
Do you actually have coverage? Many self-pay patients turn out to be covered through a spouse or a parent’s plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield is Michigan’s largest health insurer — our Blue Cross Blue Shield podiatry coverage guide explains what BCBS pays for, when a referral is required, and how Blue Care Network rules differ from commercial BCBS plans.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a podiatrist visit cost without insurance in Michigan?
A new-patient self-pay visit at Balance Foot & Ankle is $250, and follow-ups are $100. The $250 is all-inclusive for the first visit: the exam, any digital X-rays taken in our office that day, and same-day treatment such as nail care, an ingrown toenail procedure, or prefabricated orthotics when warranted. There is no separate charge for those on your first visit.
Can I get the price in writing before I come in?
Yes. Under the No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients are entitled to a written Good Faith Estimate before treatment. Ask for one when you schedule.
Is self-pay cheaper than using my high-deductible insurance?
Sometimes, yes. If your deductible is unmet, the negotiated rate you would owe in full can exceed our cash rate. Ask our billing team to compare both before you decide.
Do you charge more for self-pay patients?
No — the opposite. Our self-pay fee schedule is reduced from standard billing rates, because there is no insurer to bill and no claim to process.
Can I use my HSA or FSA card?
Yes, at both offices. Podiatry visits, custom orthotics, and most procedures are HSA/FSA-eligible expenses.
Find out what it costs — before you book
We will quote your visit over the phone and put it in writing if you want it. Howell & Bloomfield Township.
Request your $250 self-pay visit
Using insurance instead? Book Howell or Book Bloomfield Township.
Or call (810) 206-1402
Book an appointment with a podiatrist
Paying out of pocket makes it reasonable to want a clear answer quickly. An exam identifies what is causing the pain and what it will take to treat, so you can decide what is worth doing and in what order. Balance Foot & Ankle sees patients at two offices — Howell in Livingston County, and Bloomfield Township in Oakland County.
Use the form below to request your $250 self-pay visit. The insurance fields are optional — leave them blank if you are paying cash. Tell us what is going on in “Reason for visit” and we will confirm your appointment time and your exact price before you come in.