Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.
Does Michigan Medicaid Cover Podiatry Visits?
Yes — Michigan Medicaid (administered as the Healthy Michigan Plan for most eligible adults) covers medically necessary podiatry services including office visits, diagnostic X-rays, in-office procedures, and podiatric surgery. Medicaid enrollees in Michigan pay very low out-of-pocket costs for podiatry — typically $1–$3 per visit for most medically necessary services. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Michigan Medicaid at both our Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations. Dr. Tom Biernacki is an enrolled Michigan Medicaid provider.
What Michigan Medicaid Covers for Foot Care
Office visits: Covered for medically necessary evaluation and treatment of foot and ankle conditions — chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, nerve conditions, and diabetic foot complications. Ingrown toenails: Covered — both partial nail avulsion (removal) and permanent correction (matrixectomy) when medically indicated. Diabetic foot care: Fully covered for enrollees with diabetes, including preventive exams, nail and callus debridement (when the patient has a qualifying systemic condition), wound care, and diabetic shoe prescription support. Custom orthotics: Covered with prior authorization for qualifying diagnoses when conservative treatment has failed — prior auth must be obtained before ordering. Physical therapy: Covered for medically necessary foot and ankle rehabilitation. Podiatric surgery: Covered as inpatient or outpatient surgery when medically necessary with proper authorization. Prescription medications: Covered through the Michigan Medicaid pharmacy benefit.
Routine Foot Care Under Michigan Medicaid
Routine foot care (nail trimming, callus debridement) is covered by Michigan Medicaid specifically for patients with qualifying systemic conditions that make routine self-care dangerous or impractical. Qualifying conditions include: diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, chronic lymphedema, or conditions requiring anticoagulation therapy. For Medicaid enrollees with these conditions, routine nail and callus care at a podiatrist is a covered preventive service. Without a qualifying systemic condition, routine nail trimming is generally not covered by Medicaid (same limitation as Medicare).
Medicaid Managed Care Plans in Michigan
Most Michigan Medicaid enrollees are in Managed Care Plans rather than traditional fee-for-service Medicaid. Michigan Medicaid managed care plans include: Blue Cross Complete, Molina Healthcare of Michigan, McLaren Health Plan, Priority Health Choice, United Healthcare Community Plan, and others depending on your county. Each managed care plan has its own network of providers — your podiatrist must be in your specific plan’s network. Balance Foot & Ankle participates with multiple Michigan Medicaid managed care plans. Call our office at (810) 206-1402 and provide your Medicaid plan name — we will confirm whether we are in your network before you schedule.
How to Find a Medicaid-Enrolled Podiatrist in Michigan
To find a podiatrist covered under your Michigan Medicaid plan: log in to your Medicaid managed care plan’s website and use their provider directory to search for podiatrists; or call the member services number on your Medicaid ID card and ask for a podiatrist near your zip code. You can also call Balance Foot & Ankle directly at (810) 206-1402 and tell us your Medicaid plan — we will check your eligibility and let you know if we can see you. If you are on traditional fee-for-service Medicaid (not managed care), any enrolled Michigan Medicaid podiatrist can see you — and Balance Foot & Ankle is enrolled.
Michigan Medicaid Eligibility and How to Apply
The Healthy Michigan Plan covers adults ages 19–64 with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level (approximately $19,700/year for an individual in 2024). If you are uninsured and have low income, you may qualify. Apply online at michigan.gov/mdhhs, in person at your local MDHHS office, or by calling 1-888-642-7434. Approval can be same-day for qualifying individuals. Once enrolled, you can see a podiatrist immediately — Medicaid coverage is retroactive to the first of the application month in most cases.
Schedule Your Medicaid Podiatry Appointment
Balance Foot & Ankle welcomes Michigan Medicaid patients at our Howell (4330 E Grand River Ave) and Bloomfield Hills locations. Call (810) 206-1402. Please have your Medicaid ID card and the name of your managed care plan ready when you call. For a full list of accepted insurance plans and pricing, see our podiatrist insurance and costs Michigan page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan Medicaid cover custom orthotics?
Yes, Michigan Medicaid covers custom orthotics for qualifying diagnoses, but prior authorization is required. Common covered diagnoses include: diabetic peripheral neuropathy with foot deformity, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction causing acquired flatfoot, significant foot deformities affecting ambulation, and other conditions where orthotics are medically necessary. The prior authorization must be submitted by Dr. Biernacki’s office with supporting clinical documentation before orthotics are ordered. Approval typically takes 5–10 business days. If approved, the orthotics are covered at little or no cost to the Medicaid enrollee.
Can I see a podiatrist without a referral on Michigan Medicaid?
This depends on your Michigan Medicaid plan. Traditional fee-for-service Michigan Medicaid does not require a referral to see a podiatrist. Most Medicaid managed care plans also allow direct access to podiatrists as specialists without a PCP referral, since foot conditions often require specialized evaluation. However, some managed care plans do require that you have selected a primary care physician and that complex conditions are coordinated through the PCP. Call your specific managed care plan to confirm. In most cases, our patients call us directly and we handle the eligibility verification.
Does Michigan Medicaid cover diabetic foot care?
Yes — diabetic foot care is one of the best-covered podiatry benefits under Michigan Medicaid. Covered services for diabetic patients include: comprehensive diabetic foot examinations (recommended every 3–6 months for high-risk patients), nail and callus debridement, wound care and dressing changes for diabetic foot ulcers, custom orthotics with prior authorization, and diabetic therapeutic shoes (through the Medicare diabetic shoe benefit if the patient is dual-eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare). Early and regular preventive foot care for diabetic Medicaid patients is a priority — these services are specifically covered to reduce costly amputations and hospitalizations.
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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified podiatric surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Michigan Medicaid (Healthy Michigan Plan) and multiple Michigan Medicaid managed care plans.
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Our board-certified podiatrists treat this condition at two convenient locations. Same-day appointments often available.
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist, Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists
Medicaid Covers Podiatry Services
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Michigan Medicaid for foot and ankle care. Don’t let insurance concerns delay treatment — our office helps you understand your covered benefits.
Clinical References
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Medicaid covered services: podiatry.” Michigan.gov, 2024.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Medicaid benefits: podiatric services.” CMS.gov, 2024.
- American Podiatric Medical Association. “Medicaid and podiatric care access.” APMA.org, 2024.
Insurance Accepted
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Howell Office
3980 E Grand River Ave, Suite 140
Howell, MI 48843
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Bloomfield Hills Office
43700 Woodward Ave, Suite 207
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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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.