Your First Visit at Balance Foot & Ankle
Three board-certified podiatric surgeons. Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Most insurance accepted — we confirm within 1 business hour.
50,000+ patients helped
3,000+ surgeries
960K+ YouTube subs
Request Your Appointment
New patient? Start here — we call back within 1 business hour.
Know Before You Come In
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A quick walkthrough of your new patient appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle
Balance Foot & Ankle — Accepting New Patients
Ready to Get Started?
Same-day and next-day appointments available. Most insurance plans accepted. Our team calls you back within 1 business hour.
Quick Answer
How do I book my first podiatry appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Submit the short form on this page or call (810) 206-1402. A team member confirms within 2 hours, the same business day, verifies insurance, and books your slot. Same-week appointments are available at Howell (4330 E Grand River Ave) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208). Most insurance plans accepted. New patients welcome.
OPEN
Same-week appointments at Howell · Bloomfield Hills
Cost & Insurance
How much does a podiatrist visit cost in Michigan?
Most patient visits cost a standard copay — not the full self-pay rate. Balance Foot & Ankle is in-network with most major insurance plans in Michigan. We verify your benefits before your first visit and tell you the exact copay in advance — no surprises. If you don't have insurance, ask about our self-pay rates when you call (810) 206-1402.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Medicare
- Aetna
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Humana
- HAP
- Priority Health
- Medicaid
- Tricare
If your plan isn't listed, call us — we likely accept it.
Fill out this short form
Takes under 1 minute. Name, phone, reason for visit. Insurance card upload optional.
We call you within 1 business hour
Real team member — not a robocall. We verify insurance and book your slot.
See us this week
Same-week appointments at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office. Most insurance accepted.
Prefer to call? Tap below.
📍 Howell, MI
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Closed on major holidays
📍 Bloomfield Hills, MI
43494 Woodward Ave Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Closed on major holidays
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 Stars · 1,123+ Patient Reviews · Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM · Dr. Carl Jay, DPM · Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM
Why Patients Choose Us
Trusted by 50,000+ Michigan Patients
When you choose Balance Foot & Ankle, you choose Michigan’s highest-rated podiatry practice. Here is what makes us different.
Doctors Who Listen
No 5-minute rushed visits. Every patient gets a complete exam, a clear diagnosis, and time to ask every question.
Same-Week Appointments
Most new patients are seen within the same week. Many same-day slots for acute foot or ankle pain.
Conservative-First Care
Surgery is the last resort, not the first option. Most patients get relief with non-surgical treatment.
Double Board-Certified
All three doctors are board-certified podiatric surgeons. 3,000+ surgeries performed across our team.
Insurance Verified Free
We verify your benefits at no charge before your visit. No surprise bills — you know your cost upfront.
Educational Approach
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s 960K+ YouTube subscribers learn from him. You get that same teaching at every appointment.
Meet Your Care Team
Three Specialists. One Practice.
Every doctor at Balance Foot & Ankle is fellowship-trained or board-certified in podiatric surgery — and each one brings a different superpower to your care.
Michigan’s most-watched podiatrist with 960K+ YouTube subscribers and 156M+ views. Lapiplasty-certified bunion surgeon. Patients fly from across the U.S. for his revision surgeries.
Takes the cases other surgeons refer. Specializes in complex reconstructive foot and ankle procedures including revision surgeries, flatfoot correction, and difficult ankle arthritis.
Known for the gentlest hands in Michigan — anxious patients specifically request her. Bilingual (English & Russian). Special focus on women’s foot health, pediatric conditions, and minimally invasive care.
Patient Reviews
4.9 Stars from 1,123+ Patients
Real reviews from real patients across our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. Read all 1,123 reviews on Google →
“I had been in pain in my feet for over a year. I saw Dr. Biernacki at Balance Foot and Ankle in Howell. I was in pain when I walked in, and I walked out pain free. Many thanks to Dr. Biernacki and his gracious, knowledgeable support team.”
“Dr. Gutkin was absolutely wonderful, easy to talk with, and I look forward to seeing her regularly. This whole office is the best in town!”
“Dr. B gave me hope that I can live pain free without having major surgery. After my first visit I felt an improvement! The staff is welcoming and helpful.”
Choose your specialist
Which doctor is right for you?
Every doctor at Balance Foot & Ankle is board-certified — but each has a distinct specialty. Not sure? Our team will match you when you call.
Choose Dr. Tom for
Complex surgery & education
- Lapiplasty® 3D bunion correction
- Revision & failed surgery cases
- Diabetic reconstruction & wound care
- The doctor you found on YouTube
- Deep clinical explanations
Choose Dr. Jay for
Reconstruction & revision surgery
- Failed surgery that needs fixing
- Flatfoot & Charcot reconstruction
- Complex ankle trauma & arthritis
- Sports medicine for athletes
- Cases other surgeons won’t touch
Choose Dr. Gutkin for
Gentle care & anxious patients
- Fear of foot procedures (needle phobia)
- Women’s foot health & pregnancy
- Pediatric & children’s foot care
- Russian-speaking patients (bilingual)
- Ingrown nails with zero discomfort
Not sure? Just call (810) 206-1402 and our team will match you with the right provider for your specific problem.
What to Expect
Your First Visit, Step by Step
From booking to walking out with a treatment plan — here is exactly what happens at your first appointment.
Submit the form above or call (810) 206-1402. Most patients book within 60 seconds.
Our team verifies your benefits and confirms your appointment within 1 business hour. No surprise bills.
Your podiatrist takes a complete history, examines your feet, and uses digital X-ray on site if needed.
You leave with a clear, written treatment plan. Many issues resolve in a single visit.
⏰ Save time at your visit
Complete your intake forms online — before you arrive
Log in to our secure patient portal (Athenahealth) to fill out new-patient paperwork, upload your insurance card, and review your health history. Saves 15–20 minutes in the office and gets you seen faster.
First time? Create a free account at the link above.
Before Your Visit
What to Bring
Simple checklist to make your first visit smooth and efficient. None of these are required — we can verify everything for you on the spot.
Two Convenient Offices
Howell & Bloomfield Hills
Both offices offer the same three board-certified doctors, same-week availability, and free parking.
Howell, MI 48843
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Free parking on site.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Free parking on site.
Now Serving These Communities
Patients drive in from across Livingston & Oakland County
Howell Office — Livingston County
Same-week appointments for patients in Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Fenton, Hamburg, Whitmore Lake, South Lyon, Gregory, and Cohoctah. Most patients arrive within 20 minutes of the 4330 E Grand River office.
Bloomfield Office — Oakland County
Same-week visits for patients across Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, Pontiac, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Royal Oak, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, Waterford, Commerce Twp, Novi, and Walled Lake. Free parking at the Woodward Ave entrance.
Not sure which office is closer? Call (810) 206-1402 — the front desk routes you to the next same-week slot at either location.
Insurance
Most Insurance Plans Accepted
We verify your benefits at no charge before your visit. If we’re out of network, we’ll tell you upfront. Call (810) 206-1402 to verify your specific plan.
New Patient FAQ
Common Questions
How quickly can I be seen?
Most new patients are seen within the same week. Many same-day appointments are available for acute issues like ingrown toenails, severe heel pain, or sudden ankle injuries.
Do I need a referral?
Most insurance plans in Michigan do not require a referral to see a podiatrist. HMO plans like Priority Health HMO or BCN HMO may require a PCP referral — we’ll verify and help coordinate when you call.
How much does a new patient visit cost?
Most visits are covered by insurance — you pay only your normal co-pay. Self-pay new patient visits typically range $150–$250. We verify your benefits at no charge before your appointment.
Can I bring my child?
Yes — we treat patients of all ages. Dr. Daria Gutkin has special expertise in pediatric foot conditions including flat feet, Sever’s disease, ingrown toenails, and warts.
What if I’m anxious about the visit?
Dr. Daria Gutkin is specifically requested by anxious patients for her gentle, patient-centered approach. Let us know your concerns when you call and we’ll match you with the right doctor.
What if I need surgery?
Our doctors have performed 3,000+ surgeries. We never recommend surgery first — conservative care comes first. If surgery becomes necessary, you’ll have time to research, ask questions, and decide.
What should I bring to my first podiatry appointment?
For your first visit to Balance Foot & Ankle, bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of current medications (including supplements), any relevant imaging (X-rays or MRI reports), and comfortable footwear you can remove easily. If you have orthotics, bring those as well. Completing the new-patient intake forms online before your appointment saves time in the office.
What insurance does Balance Foot & Ankle accept?
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Priority Health. Coverage varies by plan and procedure — our front-desk team will verify your benefits before your visit and explain any expected co-pay or deductible. Call our office or use the contact form to confirm your specific plan.
How quickly can I get a new patient appointment?
Dr. Biernacki typically offers same-week appointments for new patients with acute conditions such as sudden heel pain, nail infections, or injury-related swelling. Routine new-patient visits for chronic foot problems or orthotics evaluations are usually available within 7–10 business days. Book online or call our office directly for the fastest scheduling.
Learn more about our practice: About Balance Foot & Ankle — meet Dr. Tom Biernacki DPM, our clinical philosophy, and what makes us Michigan’s trusted podiatry practice.
Find Balance Foot & Ankle — Two Michigan Locations
Same-week appointments at both offices. 4.9★ rated, 1,123+ Google reviews.
Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Balance Foot & Ankle — Bloomfield
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Verified across the web
Balance Foot & Ankle is listed and reviewed on every major medical directory and review platform.
Free Patient Tools
Printable Forms to Make Your Visit Faster
First Visit Checklist
What to bring, what to expect, and how to make your first visit shorter. Print and fill before you come in.
Insurance Verification Form
Pre-fill your insurance info and reason for visit. Snap a photo and text us, or bring it to your visit. We verify benefits within 1 business hour.
Surgical privileges at Michigan’s major health systems
Balance Foot & Ankle surgeons hold privileges and affiliations with three of Michigan’s largest health systems, with seamless referral pathways for advanced imaging, inpatient surgery, and multidisciplinary care.