Your First Visit at Balance Foot & Ankle
Three board-certified podiatric surgeons at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Choose an office to book online, call us, or request a callback.
Call (810) 206-1402 or request a callback for help scheduling.
Already booked? Plan your first visit.
Help with online booking
New patients: choose New under Patient type in the scheduler. Already our patient? Choose Existing. Online booking is open 24/7 and opens in a new tab.
The calendar may open on a day with no appointments. Choose a highlighted day, check the other office, or call if you need help finding a time.
Call (810) 206-1402 if you prefer to speak with our team or need to be seen sooner. We can help check your insurance benefits and discuss estimated costs; your share depends on your plan and the services you receive.
Our Bloomfield Township location appears in the scheduler as Bloomfield Hills Office, at 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208.
Prefer we call you?
Leave your name and phone number so our team can call you about an appointment. To choose your own time, use the online booking options above.
Prefer to book without leaving this page?
Know Before You Come In
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A quick walkthrough of your new patient appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle
Cost & Insurance
How much does a podiatrist visit cost in Michigan?
Your visit cost depends on your insurance plan and the care you receive. Our team can help check your benefits and discuss estimated costs before your first visit. Ask about your copay, deductible, coinsurance, and any services your plan may not cover. If you don't have insurance, self-pay care is $200 for your first visit and $100 for each follow-up — exam, in-office X-rays, orthotics, and therapy included when medically necessary. See the full Michigan podiatrist visit cost breakdown.
- 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.
For more detail, read what to expect at your first appointment or see what the $200 self-pay visit includes and request a self-pay visit.
Why Patients Choose Us
Trusted by Patients Across Michigan
Get to know our team, explore patient experiences, and learn what to expect before your visit.
Doctors Who Listen
No 5-minute rushed visits. Every patient gets a complete exam, a clear diagnosis, and time to ask every question.
Book Online, Any Hour
Both offices share one live calendar, so you can pick from the next available times at either office — and if one is booked out the other is often sooner. 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.
Board-Certified Doctors
All three doctors are board-certified. 3,000+ surgeries performed across our team.
Insurance Verified Free
Our team can help check your benefits and discuss estimated costs before your visit. Final coverage and patient responsibility depend on your plan and the services provided.
Educational Approach
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s 950K+ 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 board-certified — and each one brings a different superpower to your care.
Michigan’s most-watched podiatrist with 950K+ YouTube subscribers and 150M+ views. Lapiplasty-certified bunion surgeon. Patients fly from across the U.S. for his revision surgeries.
Learn about Dr. Tom →
Takes the cases other surgeons refer. Specializes in complex reconstructive foot and ankle procedures including revision surgeries, flatfoot correction, and difficult ankle arthritis.
Learn about Dr. Jay →
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.
Learn about Dr. Gutkin →Patient Reviews
1,200+ Google Reviews Across Our Offices and Doctors
The combined total spans our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices and our doctors’ Google listings. The selected patient experiences below are individual reviews. See our review listings →
“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 toenail care with attention to your comfort
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.
Book online 24/7 and pick your own time, 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 2 hours, the same business day. Ask us about estimated out-of-pocket costs.
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. Please also read our Notice of Privacy Practices before your visit.
First time? Create a free account at the link above.
Before Your Visit
What to Bring
Bring the items below to help us prepare for your visit. If something is unavailable, call our team before your appointment.
Two Convenient Offices
Howell & Bloomfield Township
Both offices offer the same three board-certified doctors, prompt availability, and free parking.
Howell, MI 48843 ☎ (810) 206-1402
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Closed on major holidays · Free parking on site.
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302 ☎ (810) 206-1402
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM · Closed on major holidays · Free parking on site.
Now Serving These Communities
Patients drive in from across Livingston & Oakland County
Howell Podiatrist Office — Livingston County
Prompt 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 Ave office.
Bloomfield Township Podiatrist Office — Oakland County
Prompt 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 prompt 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-week appointments are available for acute issues like ingrown toenails, severe heel pain, or sudden ankle injuries.
Do I need a referral?
You can contact us directly to request an appointment. Referral and authorization requirements vary by insurance plan. Check with your insurer or call our team before your visit so we can help confirm what is needed.
How much does a new patient visit cost?
Your cost depends on your insurance plan and the services you receive. Our team can help check benefits and discuss estimated copay, deductible, and coinsurance amounts before your appointment. If you are paying cash, self-pay care is $200 for your first visit and $100 for each follow-up, including the exam, any in-office X-rays, insoles or custom orthotics, and therapy when medically necessary. See exactly what the $200 self-pay price covers.
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. Check your plan on our insurance page, or book online and we verify your benefits at no charge before your visit.
How quickly can I get a new patient appointment?
Dr. Biernacki typically offers prompt 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 the same week. 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.
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.
Download (PDF) ↓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 2 hours, the same business day.
Download (PDF) ↓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.
Which office works best for you?
Pick a location, choose your visit type, and book online.
📍 Howell Office📍 Bloomfield Township OfficeDon’t see a time that works? Call (810) 206-1402 and we’ll get you in.
CancelSame-Day Podiatrist Appointments
Searching for a same day podiatrist near me? Balance Foot & Ankle keeps same-day and next-day slots open for urgent foot and ankle problems — ingrown toenails, heel pain, injuries, infections, and wound care — at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Call (810) 206-1402 or request an appointment here and we will get you seen quickly.
Before your first visit
A few minutes of preparation makes the first appointment faster and more useful. These short guides cover what to sort out beforehand, what to bring with you, and what happens once you leave.
Already been in to see us?
A quick review helps other Michigan neighbours find a podiatrist they can trust. It takes about a minute, and we read every one.
Review the Howell officeReview Bloomfield TownshipOpens Google
More questions patients ask
What should I bring to my first appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications and dosages, any relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI) you have had done previously, and comfortable footwear that is easy to remove. If you have diabetes, bring your most recent A1C result or glucose log. Arriving 10–15 minutes early to complete new patient paperwork is recommended.
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept my insurance?
Balance Foot & Ankle accepts most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, HAP, Priority Health, Meridian, and many others. Coverage varies by plan and condition. Our front desk team can verify your specific coverage before your appointment — call (810) 206-1402 (Howell) or (810) 206-1402 (Bloomfield Hills) to confirm.
How do I book a new patient appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle?
Call our Howell office at (810) 206-1402 or our Bloomfield Hills office at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your first appointment. Same-week and next-day appointments are typically available. You can also request an appointment through our website contact form. Urgent foot pain, infections, and diabetic foot concerns receive priority scheduling.
What conditions do the podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle treat?
Our board-certified podiatrists treat a full range of foot and ankle conditions including plantar fasciitis, heel pain, toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic foot care, neuropathy, sports injuries, fractures, wound care, custom orthotics, and surgical correction of deformities. We also offer medical pedicures and mobile home visit services for homebound patients.
Still have a question about coverage or cost? Book online and we will check your benefits before your visit: Book in Howell · Book in Bloomfield Township. Prefer to talk it through first? Call (810) 206-1402.