Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway, and Dickinson County residents in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can access specialist podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle with Dr. Tom Biernacki through our telehealth-first model. Telehealth consultations initiate care for many conditions, with in-person visits scheduled when clinical examination or surgery is required. Comprehensive foot and ankle services including diabetic foot care, wound care, heel pain, nail conditions, sports injuries, and surgery. Most major insurance and Medicare accepted.
Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Quinnesec, Norway, and communities throughout Dickinson County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have access to specialist podiatric care through Balance Foot & Ankle‘s telehealth-first model. Dr. Tom Biernacki serves Dickinson County patients with the same comprehensive podiatric expertise available to metro Detroit patients — leveraging telehealth technology to bridge the 5+ hour geographic gap.
UP Specific Foot Health Needs
Dickinson County’s mining, manufacturing, and outdoor recreation heritage creates distinct foot health needs. Industrial foot injuries from Kingsford’s manufacturing sector, mining operations, and logging industry require occupational medicine-informed podiatric evaluation and workers’ compensation documentation. Winter sports injuries from skiing at Pine Mountain and Pine Knob, snowmobiling on the extensive UP trail system, and ice fishing require cold injury prevention, ski boot fitting expertise, and ankle fracture and sprain management. Diabetic foot disease in the UP’s rural population requires specialist access that telehealth can provide.
How Telehealth Works for Iron Mountain Patients
Telehealth consultations allow Dr. Biernacki to: review X-ray and MRI reports sent via electronic imaging platforms; assess foot conditions through patient-provided photographs and video; initiate conservative treatment including orthotics prescription, shoe recommendations, and physical therapy referral; manage medications and coordinate with local providers; and monitor wound healing with family-assisted photo documentation. When in-person evaluation or surgical care is required, the telehealth consultation has already gathered all pertinent information — making the in-person visit maximally efficient.
Accessing Care
Call our office to schedule a telehealth consultation as your first point of contact. We will assess whether your condition can be managed remotely or requires in-person evaluation. For UP patients who do need to travel downstate, we coordinate visits to address all medical needs in a single comprehensive appointment. Most major insurance plans and Medicare are accepted for both telehealth and in-person visits.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Baffin Impact Extreme Cold Snow Boots
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Extreme cold rated insulated boots essential for Iron Mountain and Dickinson County’s harsh UP winters. Critical frostbite prevention for snowmobilers, outdoor workers, and winter sports enthusiasts.
Dr. Tom says: “”Iron Mountain snowmobiler — Baffin boots are the only ones warm enough for full-day UP trail rides. My podiatrist required I upgrade after treating my cold feet.””
UP residents — snowmobilers, loggers, outdoor workers — at frostbite risk in extreme cold
Patients with structural foot deformity requiring custom therapeutic footwear
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Diabetic Socks Non-Binding Seamless — Daily Foot Protection
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Essential daily diabetic foot protection for Dickinson County’s rural diabetic population. Seamless non-binding construction prevents skin friction in neuropathic patients between telehealth appointments.
Dr. Tom says: “”Living in the UP with diabetes, proper socks are my first line of defense. My podiatrist monitors my feet via telehealth and approves these.””
UP diabetic patients managing daily foot health between podiatric consultations
Active wounds or infections — require in-person medical wound care
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Telehealth-first model provides specialist access to one of Michigan’s most geographically isolated communities
- Industrial foot injury expertise for Kingsford’s manufacturing and mining workforce
- In-person visits planned comprehensively to minimize total travel burden
❌ Cons / Risks
- 5+ hour drive for in-person evaluation or surgery — significant travel burden
- Some conditions require physical examination that cannot be performed via telehealth
- Local emergency resources required for acute injuries and urgent surgical conditions
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Iron Mountain and Dickinson County represent the real spirit of the UP — hard-working, resilient, independent. When patients from that area connect with me via telehealth, they often haven’t had access to specialist foot care in years. The telehealth model lets me actually help — assess their condition, initiate appropriate treatment, coordinate with local providers, and identify the patients who truly need to make the trip downstate. For most UP patients, we can accomplish a great deal remotely.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start care via telehealth from Iron Mountain?
Yes — telehealth consultation is our recommended first contact for all UP patients. We review history, symptoms, and any available imaging remotely and initiate treatment for conditions manageable without in-person examination.
How do I send X-rays for my telehealth consultation?
Most Michigan radiology facilities now have electronic image sharing capabilities. Your facility can often share a link or CD to your imaging. Our staff will help coordinate image transfer when you schedule your telehealth appointment.
Does Medicare cover telehealth podiatry visits?
Medicare Part B covers telehealth visits for many podiatric services — coverage has expanded significantly in recent years. Call our office to verify current telehealth coverage for your specific Medicare plan.
What UP hospitals or specialists does Balance Foot & Ankle coordinate with?
We coordinate with local UP primary care, wound care centers, and hospitals to complement our remote specialist services. When in-person care is required beyond our telehealth capabilities, we help patients navigate local and regional options.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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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.
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)
- Hallux Valgus (Bunions): Evaluation and Management (PubMed)
- Bunions (Mayo Clinic)