Same-Week Appointments · Three Board-Certified DPMs · 4.9★ from 1,123+ Patient Reviews · Most Insurance Accepted

Book Your First Visit — Balance Foot & Ankle

Three ways to schedule a new-patient podiatry appointment in Howell or Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: call us, request a callback below, or print our intake forms and bring them in. Most new patients are seen within five business days. Urgent problems — sudden severe pain, infection, diabetic wounds, sports injuries — are routinely seen the same day. Call (810) 206-1402 and tell the front desk it’s urgent.

Request a Callback

Prefer a callback over phoning? Fill in the form below. Our scheduling team responds during business hours (Mon–Fri 8 AM – 5 PM ET). For after-hours urgent foot or ankle problems, call (810) 206-1402 directly — voicemail is checked overnight.

Your First Visit — What to Expect

A first visit at Balance Foot & Ankle is one focused appointment, typically 30–45 minutes. You’ll be greeted by name, walked back without sitting in a long waiting-room queue, and seen by your assigned doctor — not a tech, not a resident. Bring your insurance card, a list of current medications, and a printed copy of any prior imaging (X-rays, MRIs) if you have them. Wear pants you can roll up; we’ll cover the rest.

1. Front-desk check-in (5 min). ID + insurance card. Most paperwork is digital.
2. Vitals + medical-history review with a podiatric medical assistant.
3. Doctor exam — visual, palpation, range-of-motion, gait analysis if relevant.
4. In-office imaging if needed — digital X-ray on-site, read the same visit. Diagnostic ultrasound when indicated.
5. Diagnosis + plain-language explanation. We show you the actual images and what they mean.
6. Treatment plan: every option laid out, conservative-first, with cost transparency.
7. Follow-up scheduling at the front desk before you leave. We confirm the next step in writing.

Which Doctor Should I Choose?

Don’t sweat the choice — all three doctors at Balance Foot & Ankle are board-certified and rotate between both offices. If you don’t request a specific doctor, the scheduling team will match you based on the problem and earliest opening.

• Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — triple-board-certified, Lapiplasty-certified, founder. Best fit: bunions, complex reconstruction, sports injuries, athletes.
• Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM, AACFAS — Cleveland Clinic-trained, bilingual (English / Russian). Best fit: anxious patients, ingrown toenails, neuromas, women’s foot pain, pediatric.
• Dr. Carl Jay, DPM — fellowship-trained reconstructive surgeon. Best fit: revision surgery, complex deformity, diabetic limb preservation, second opinions.

Insurance & Cost Transparency

Balance Foot & Ankle is in-network with Medicare (Original and Advantage), Michigan Medicaid plans (Meridian, Molina, McLaren, HAP, Aetna Better Health, Priority Health Choice, UHC Community Plan), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (PPO, HMO, Federal), Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Priority Health, HAP, Humana, and TRICARE. We verify your coverage before your visit so there are no billing surprises. Self-pay patients are welcome at transparent rates — a new-patient visit starts at $150 self-pay, with all imaging billed at cost.

Printable Intake Forms

Faster first visit? Print and complete these intake forms before you arrive. If you can’t print, no problem — same forms are completed digitally at check-in.

• New patient history form (PDF, 2 pages)
• HIPAA acknowledgment (PDF, 1 page)
• Financial & insurance policy (PDF, 1 page)

New Patient FAQs

How fast can I get in?

Most non-urgent new patients are scheduled within five business days. Urgent problems (acute injuries, infections, diabetic foot emergencies) are routinely seen the same day or next business day. Call (810) 206-1402 and tell the front desk it’s urgent.

Do I need a referral?

For most insurance plans, no. Michigan podiatry is direct-access. Exception: HMO plans (BCBS HMO, Priority HMO, Aetna HMO) require a primary-care referral on file. The scheduling team will tell you when you call.

What should I bring?

Insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications, any prior X-rays / MRIs / ultrasound on disc or paper, and pants you can roll up. If you have orthotics, bring them. If you’re following up on a specific shoe, bring the shoe.

Can I be seen for a same-day emergency?

Yes — both offices reserve daily slots for acute injuries (sprains, fractures, sudden pain), suspected infections, ingrown toenails causing severe pain, and diabetic foot wounds. Call (810) 206-1402 and clearly say “urgent.”

How much does a podiatry visit cost?

With insurance: usually a standard specialist co-pay (often $25–$60). With Medicare: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your Part B deductible. Self-pay: $150 for a new-patient visit, imaging billed at cost. We confirm your specific cost before you arrive.