Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Newberry, and Chippewa County residents in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula can access specialist podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle with Dr. Tom Biernacki through our telehealth-first model. Initial telehealth consultation initiates care for many conditions without requiring the long drive downstate. When in-person evaluation or surgery is needed, visits are maximized in efficiency. Lake Superior State University students welcome. Most major insurance and Medicare accepted.
Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Newberry, Munising, and communities throughout Chippewa County and the eastern Upper Peninsula have access to specialist podiatric care through Balance Foot & Ankle‘s telehealth-first model. Dr. Tom Biernacki serves eastern UP residents — including Lake Superior State University students, tribal community members, and the area’s significant outdoor recreation and tourism workforce — with comprehensive podiatric expertise delivered remotely and in-person when necessary.
Telehealth Care for Eastern UP Patients
The Sault and eastern UP present significant healthcare access challenges — Sault Ste. Marie is over 300 miles from metropolitan Detroit. Our telehealth model provides initial assessment, conservative treatment management, imaging review, medication management, and wound monitoring remotely. Many conditions — plantar fasciitis, nail conditions, post-operative follow-up, diabetic foot monitoring — can be entirely or largely managed via telehealth. When in-person evaluation or surgical care is required, we coordinate with patients for efficient downstate visits that address all needs comprehensively.
Tribal and Rural Community Diabetic Foot Care
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Chippewa County’s rural communities have elevated rates of type 2 diabetes and related foot complications. Dr. Biernacki’s telehealth diabetic foot program provides the specialist preventive care that reduces amputation risk — annual exams, Medicare shoe program, wound monitoring, and urgent escalation when needed. Diabetes-related foot complications are disproportionately prevalent in tribal communities where healthcare access barriers are highest; telehealth directly addresses this disparity.
LSSU Students and Outdoor Recreation
Lake Superior State University’s students and athletes — as well as the region’s outdoor recreation community (Pictured Rocks hikers, snowmobilers, ice fishermen, hunters) — generate real foot and ankle care needs. Dr. Biernacki evaluates and treats sports injuries, overuse conditions, frostbite, and other foot problems via telehealth consultation. Parents of LSSU students can initiate telehealth evaluation for their student without requiring a downstate trip. Call our office or book online to schedule a telehealth consultation.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Baffin Impact Extreme Cold Snow Boot
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Extreme cold rated insulated boot essential for Sault Ste. Marie and eastern UP’s harsh climate. Critical frostbite prevention for snowmobilers, outdoor workers, and winter sports enthusiasts in sub-zero conditions.
Dr. Tom says: “”Sault Ste. Marie snowmobiler — Baffin boots keep my feet warm on the UP trail system. Upgraded after my podiatrist treated my cold-injured feet.””
Eastern UP outdoor workers and winter sports enthusiasts at frostbite risk
Patients requiring custom therapeutic footwear for deformity accommodation
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Diabetic Non-Binding Socks Seamless — 6-Pack Protection
⭐ Highly Rated | Foundation Wellness Partner | 30% Commission
Daily protective diabetic socks for eastern UP’s diabetic tribal and rural community. Non-binding, seamless construction essential for neuropathic patients between telehealth appointments.
Dr. Tom says: “”Eastern UP diabetic patient — these socks are my daily protection while my podiatrist monitors my feet remotely. Essential for life in the Sault.””
Eastern UP diabetic patients managing daily foot health between telehealth appointments
Active wounds requiring medical wound care
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Telehealth-first model provides specialist access to Michigan’s most geographically distant UP communities
- Diabetic foot telehealth program addresses health disparity in Sault tribal and rural communities
- LSSU student and athlete care available remotely without requiring downstate travel
❌ Cons / Risks
- 300+ mile drive for in-person evaluation from Sault Ste. Marie — significant travel burden
- Emergency and acute surgical cases require local UP resources
- Some conditions are not appropriately managed without physical examination
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
The Sault Ste. Marie area and eastern UP represent the farthest reach of our telehealth network. When a diabetic patient from Chippewa County connects with me via telehealth and I can identify a pre-ulcerative callus on a plantar photo, or reassure them that the nail change they’re worried about is nail fungus and not something serious — that’s specialist care reaching a community that might otherwise wait months for any podiatric access. Telehealth isn’t a substitute for in-person care, but it’s transformative for communities this far from metropolitan Michigan.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see Dr. Biernacki as a new patient from Sault Ste. Marie via telehealth?
Yes — we actively encourage eastern UP patients to begin with a telehealth consultation. Many conditions can be assessed and treatment initiated remotely. We are transparent about when physical examination or surgical evaluation requires in-person care.
Does the Sault Tribe health program work with Balance Foot & Ankle?
We welcome Sault Tribe members and coordinate with tribal health programs to the extent possible. Coverage through tribal health programs varies — call our office with your insurance information to verify coverage and coordination options.
How do I prepare for a telehealth foot appointment from the UP?
Have your insurance information ready. Photograph the bottom, top, and sides of your feet in good lighting before the visit. If you have X-ray imaging, contact the radiology facility about electronic image sharing. Write down your current medications, foot symptoms, and when they started. These preparations allow Dr. Biernacki to make the most of your remote consultation.
Is telehealth covered by Medicare for Sault Ste. Marie patients?
Yes — Medicare has significantly expanded telehealth coverage in recent years. Most podiatric telehealth consultations are covered for Medicare beneficiaries. Call our office to verify your specific coverage and copay information.
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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.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Diagnosis and Conservative Management (PubMed)
- Plantar Fasciitis (APMA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis (PubMed / AAFP)
- Heel Pain (APMA)