We verify your Aetna benefits free — before you owe anything
Book Online — Howell Book Online — Bloomfield Hills Call (810) 206-1402Balance Foot & Ankle is in network with Aetna in Michigan, at both our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Our billing team confirms your plan’s foot-care benefits and any referral requirement before your first visit. Book your appointment online — same-week openings in Howell and Bloomfield Township.
Quick Answer
Most foot and ankle problems respond to conservative care — proper footwear, supportive inserts, activity modification, and targeted stretching — within 4-8 weeks. Persistent pain beyond that window, or any symptom that prevents walking, warrants a podiatric evaluation to rule out fracture, tendon tear, or systemic cause.
Watch: Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Aetna Podiatrist in Michigan
Last Updated:
March 2026
Insurance coverage varies by plan. Call (810) 206-1402 to verify your specific Aetna benefits. Schedule an appointment →
In This Guide
Aetna-Accepted Podiatrist in Michigan
Finding a quality podiatrist who accepts your Aetna plan in Michigan shouldn’t be difficult. Balance Foot & Ankle is an Aetna in-network provider at both our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices — benefits verified before your visit, no surprise bills.
What Aetna Covers for Podiatry
Aetna covers medically necessary podiatric services including office visits and evaluations, in-office X-rays and diagnostic ultrasound (no separate facility charge), surgical procedures (bunion surgery including Lapiplasty® 3D, hammertoe correction, neuroma excision, ingrown toenail removal, ankle ligament reconstruction, tendon repair), plantar fasciitis and heel pain treatment, custom orthotics with documented medical necessity, ankle sprains and fractures, diabetic foot care and annual exams, and wound care.
Aetna HMO vs. PPO — What You Need to Know
Aetna PPO members generally do not need a referral to see a podiatrist. Schedule directly and your in-network cost is your specialist copay plus any deductible/coinsurance.
Aetna HMO members typically need a PCP referral before seeing a specialist. Our office helps coordinate this process. Once the referral is in place, covered podiatric services proceed at your HMO in-network rate.
Aetna Choice POS II members can self-refer to in-network specialists without going through a PCP, though PCP coordination often lowers cost-sharing.
Aetna Medicare Advantage
We accept Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, which cover all original Medicare podiatry benefits plus often expanded coverage. Qualifying diabetic patients receive Medicare-covered therapeutic shoes and custom inserts annually. We verify your specific benefits before your visit — no guessing at the front desk.
Custom Orthotics Coverage with Aetna
Aetna covers custom orthotics when medically necessary for qualifying conditions — plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, diabetic foot mechanical issues, hallux valgus, and similar biomechanical disorders. We handle documentation and submit prior authorization when required. Most patients with qualifying diagnoses receive coverage.
Both Michigan Offices Accept Aetna
Bloomfield Township: 43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208 — serving Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.
Howell: 4330 E Grand River Ave — serving Livingston County, Ann Arbor area, and Genesee County.
Bring your Aetna insurance card, photo ID, and medication list. Our billing team verifies your plan benefits before your appointment so you know your expected copay, deductible status, and any authorization requirements before you arrive.
Important Aetna coverage tips:
- Always verify your specific plan’s podiatry benefits before your visit
- HMO plans typically require a referral from your PCP
- PPO plans usually allow direct access to podiatrists
- Pre-authorization may be needed for surgical procedures
- Call our office at (810) 206-1402 and we’ll verify your Aetna benefits for free
What Aetna Covers for Foot and Ankle Care
Aetna plans provide coverage for medically necessary podiatric services. Your specific covered services and cost-sharing depend on your Aetna plan type and benefit tier.
Office visits and diagnostics: Aetna covers podiatric consultations, comprehensive foot and ankle examinations, gait analysis, weight-bearing X-rays, and diagnostic ultrasound when medically indicated. Specialist copays for Aetna PPO plans typically range from $30 to $60.
Conservative treatments: Covered treatments include corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections, physical therapy referrals, custom orthotic devices (prior authorization generally required), diabetic foot exams and preventive care, wound care, and prescription management for foot and ankle conditions.
Surgical procedures: Aetna covers medically necessary foot and ankle surgeries including bunion correction, hammertoe repair, ingrown toenail matrixectomy, neuroma excision, tendon repair, and ankle stabilization surgery. Prior authorization and documentation of attempted conservative care are required for most surgical procedures.
Advanced therapies: Coverage for shockwave therapy and laser therapy varies by Aetna plan. Our billing department verifies coverage for these services before scheduling treatment.
Typical Costs with Aetna Insurance
Not in your Aetna network, or paying cash? You do not need a benefits check. A first visit is a flat $250 — exam, any X-rays taken that day, and same-day treatment included. Follow-ups are $100. See exactly what the $250 covers.
Specialist copay: Most Aetna PPO plans have specialist copays of $30 to $60 per visit. Aetna HMO plans may have lower copays but typically require a referral from your primary care physician.
Deductible and coinsurance: After meeting your annual deductible, Aetna PPO plans typically cover 80 percent of allowed charges for in-network providers, with you paying 20 percent coinsurance. Your specific percentages depend on your plan tier.
Custom orthotics: Most Aetna plans cover custom orthotics with prior authorization. Your cost share is typically your standard coinsurance rate after deductible. Some plans limit coverage to one pair per plan year.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Podiatrist with Aetna?
Aetna PPO and POS plans do not require a referral to see a podiatrist. You can schedule directly with Balance Foot and Ankle. Aetna HMO plans and Aetna Better Health of Michigan plans typically require a referral from your PCP before seeing any specialist, including a podiatrist. Our office can help verify your referral requirements when you call to schedule.
How to Verify Your Aetna Podiatry Coverage
Step 1: Book online or call (810) 206-1402 with your Aetna member ID and group number.
Step 2: Our insurance verification team contacts Aetna to confirm your benefits, copay amounts, deductible status, and prior authorization needs.
Step 3: We provide you with a clear summary of your expected costs before your appointment.
Have Blue Cross Blue Shield instead? BCBS 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.
When to See a Podiatrist
If foot or ankle pain has been bothering you for more than a few weeks, home care alone may not be enough. Balance Foot & Ankle offers same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Township clinics — no referral needed in most cases. Bring your current shoes and a short list of symptoms and we’ll build you a treatment plan in one visit.
Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402 · Book online · Offices in Howell & Bloomfield Township
Frequently Asked Questions — Aetna Podiatry Coverage
Do I need a referral with Aetna to see a podiatrist?
Aetna PPO members do not need a referral — call (810) 206-1402 directly. Aetna HMO members typically need a PCP referral first. Check your insurance card or Aetna member portal for your plan type, or call us and we’ll confirm before you schedule.
Does Aetna cover bunion surgery?
Yes, when medically necessary. Aetna requires documentation that conservative treatment was tried and failed and that the bunion causes functional impairment. Prior authorization is required for elective surgery. We obtain authorization before scheduling and provide a full cost-sharing breakdown upfront so there are no billing surprises after surgery.
Does Aetna cover laser toenail fungus treatment?
Most Aetna commercial plans classify laser onychomycosis treatment as non-covered. Oral antifungals are typically covered under your pharmacy benefit when prescribed. Prescription topicals vary by plan formulary. We discuss all options honestly so you can make an informed decision.
Does Aetna cover custom orthotics without prior authorization?
It depends on your specific plan. Some Aetna plans cover orthotics with qualifying diagnosis codes alone; others require prior authorization. Our billing team knows which plans require it and submits the request before ordering orthotics when necessary — you don’t have to navigate this yourself.
Does Aetna cover shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis?
Aetna’s coverage of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for plantar fasciitis varies by plan and requires documentation of prior failed conservative treatment (typically 3+ months of stretching, orthotics, and physical therapy). We submit clinical documentation to support authorization when ESWT is indicated and will be transparent about approval likelihood before scheduling.
How do I confirm exactly what my Aetna plan covers?
Call us at (810) 206-1402 with your Aetna member ID. We run a full benefits verification and communicate your copay, deductible status, and authorization requirements for any planned procedures before your appointment date.
Aetna In-Network Podiatrist — Michigan
Aetna accepted at both locations. Benefits verified before your visit. Same-day appointments available.
Conditions We Treat for Aetna Members
Our Doctors
- Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Founder, double-fellowship
- Dr. Carl Jay, DPM — Surgery & wound care
- Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM AACFAS — Cleveland Clinic
![Diabetic Foot Care 101 [Diabetic Foot Pain: Podiatrist TREATMENT]](https://www.michiganfootdoctors.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/a386d125d030385b9d7b05fcf4b12e37.jpg)
Aetna Members — Same-Day Appointments Available
Call to verify your specific Aetna plan coverage before your visit. We handle insurance verification for you.
Howell: 4330 E Grand River Ave, MI 48843 | Bloomfield Township: 43494 Woodward Ave #208, MI 48302
Schedule Your Aetna-Covered Podiatry Appointment
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle concerns and have Aetna insurance, a board-certified podiatrist can diagnose the underlying cause and create a plan tailored to your foot type. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we offer comprehensive podiatric care covered by your Aetna plan at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices.
→ See open times in Howell
→ See open times in Bloomfield Township
→ What a first visit involves
→ Call (810) 206-1402
Those first two links open the offices’ real calendars, so you are taking an actual opening rather than waiting on a callback. Choose New patient, then pick any open day; the offices are closed weekends, so today itself may show nothing.
If you would rather have the office come back to you with times, send a message instead. Tell us which office is closer and what is going on with your foot, and include any question you have about how your Aetna plan applies.
Insurance Accepted
BCBS · Medicare · Aetna · Cigna · United Healthcare · HAP · Priority Health · Humana · View All →
Howell Office
4330 E Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
Get Directions →
Bloomfield Township Office
43494 Woodward Ave, Suite 208
Bloomfield Township, MI 48302
Get Directions →
Your Board-Certified Podiatrists
Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?
Same-week appointments in Howell & Bloomfield Township. Most insurance accepted.
Book Your AppointmentIn-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle
If home care isn’t resolving your your foot or ankle concern, a visit with a board-certified podiatrist is the fastest path to accurate diagnosis and a personalized plan. At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists, Dr. Tom Biernacki, Dr. Carl Jay, and Dr. Daria Gutkin offer same-day and next-day appointments at both our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. We perform on-site diagnostic ultrasound, digital X-ray, conservative care, advanced regenerative treatments, and minimally invasive surgery when indicated.
Call (810) 206-1402 or request an appointment online. Most insurance plans accepted, including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare.
Most Common Mistake We See
The most common mistake we see is: Waiting too long before seeking care. Fix: any foot pain lasting more than 4 weeks, or any sudden severe symptom, deserves a professional evaluation rather than more rest.
Warning Signs That Need Same-Day Care
Seek immediate evaluation at Balance Foot & Ankle if you experience any of the following:
- Unable to bear weight
- Severe swelling with skin colour change
- Fever with foot pain (possible infection)
- Diabetes plus any new foot symptom
Call (810) 206-1402 — same-day and next-day appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices.
Our podiatrists treat the underlying cause, not just the symptom. Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan offices.
Get Expert Care at Balance Foot & Ankle
Same-week appointments at our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices. Board-certified podiatric surgeons. Most insurance accepted.
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.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) 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 made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.
More questions patients ask
Does Balance Foot & Ankle accept AETNA?
Yes, we are in-network providers and accept this insurance at both our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices.
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.