Quick answer: Rural Michigan Podiatry Telehealth Travel Options is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
The most important clinical decision with Rural Michigan Podiatry Telehealth Travel Options isn't which treatment to start with — it's which subtype or underlying cause you actually have. Our podiatrists regularly see patients who've been treated for months for the wrong diagnosis. The correct identification changes the entire treatment path. Call (810) 206-1402 — Dr. Tom evaluates this condition at both Howell and Bloomfield Township locations.
If you live in a rural Michigan community and need a podiatrist, you know the challenge: the nearest foot specialist may be 45 minutes away, and getting an appointment can feel impossible around work, school, and farm schedules. In our practice, we serve patients from Mason, Big Rapids, Ionia, Fowlerville, Brighton, and dozens of other communities who drive to our Howell clinic specifically because we respect their time.
The most important clinical decision with Rural Michigan Podiatry Telehealth Travel Options isn’t which treatment to start with — it’s identifying the correct subtype. That changes everything. Call (810) 206-1402.
Podiatry Telehealth in Michigan: What We Can Treat Remotely
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM
Board-certified podiatric surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Last reviewed: May 2026
Telehealth podiatry isn’t a replacement for hands-on care — but it’s a powerful triage and follow-up tool. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we offer telehealth visits for patients throughout Michigan for conditions where a physical exam is not the primary diagnostic tool. Common telehealth-appropriate visits include reviewing imaging (X-rays, MRIs) you’ve had locally, medication or orthotic follow-ups, post-operative check-ins after the first 2 weeks, second opinions on surgical recommendations, and nail care and skin condition management for lower-risk presentations.
Key takeaway: Telehealth is best for follow-ups, second opinions, and reviewing imaging — not for acute injuries, new swelling, or suspected fractures, which always require an in-person exam.
Driving to Howell: Michigan’s Accessible Podiatry Hub
Our Howell, Michigan clinic is intentionally located at the intersection of I-96 and US-23, making it the most convenient podiatry clinic for patients from a wide swath of rural lower Michigan. From Mason: 30 minutes. From Brighton: 15 minutes. From Fowlerville: 20 minutes. From Owosso: 40 minutes. From Ionia: 55 minutes. From Big Rapids: 90 minutes. For patients coming from a significant distance, we schedule appointments back-to-back when possible — imaging, consultation, and treatment planning in one visit — so you’re not making multiple long drives.
What to Expect at Your First Rural Podiatry Visit
We know rural patients often wait longer to seek care — either from distance barriers or the expectation that foot pain is something you just live with. We ask that you don’t wait. Early intervention for diabetic foot complications, fractures, and tendon injuries dramatically changes outcomes. At your first visit, we’ll do a thorough exam, review any imaging you’ve already had done locally, and develop a treatment plan that minimizes return visits whenever possible — including same-day X-rays, injections, and orthotics fitting at our Howell clinic.
⚠️ Don’t Wait — See a Podiatrist If You Have
- Diabetic foot ulcer or wound that hasn’t healed in 2 weeks
- Severe heel or arch pain that limits walking
- Suspected fracture after injury — numbness, bruising, or inability to bear weight
- Ingrown toenail with spreading redness or pus
- Nail or skin changes suggesting fungal infection affecting quality of life
How to Schedule a Telehealth or In-Person Appointment
Scheduling is the same whether you’re in Howell or Big Rapids. Call (810) 206-1402 and let our team know you’re a distance patient — we’ll flag your chart for efficiency scheduling and telehealth setup as appropriate. New patients can also book online. We accept most major Michigan insurance plans including Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available
Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Township. If you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.
Same-day appointments available. (810) 206-1402
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Shop Doctor Hoy’s →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan Medicaid cover podiatry telehealth?
Michigan Medicaid covers audio-visual telehealth visits for most podiatric services. Coverage expanded after 2020 and has largely been maintained. Call our office and we can verify your specific plan.
Can I get orthotics through telehealth?
Not entirely — custom orthotics require a physical casting or scanning visit. However, we can discuss your needs via telehealth and schedule a single efficient in-person visit for casting and fitting.
What if I need surgery and live far away?
We work with rural patients on surgical scheduling regularly. Surgery is performed at our outpatient surgical center, and post-op wound checks can often be done via telehealth or with a local wound care nurse — reducing your need to travel while still ensuring proper healing oversight.
The Bottom Line
Distance shouldn’t mean you have to live with foot pain. If you’re in Mason, Big Rapids, or anywhere in rural lower Michigan, Balance Foot & Ankle offers both telehealth and efficient in-person visits designed to minimize your travel burden while delivering specialist-level podiatric care. Call us at (810) 206-1402 — we’ll make it work for your schedule.
Ready to Get Relief?
Same-day appointments available in Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI
4.9★ | 1,123 Reviews | 3,000+ Surgeries
Or call: (810) 206-1402
Sources
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Telehealth coverage guidance. 2024.
- APMA. Telehealth and podiatric medicine. 2023.
- Rural Health Research Gateway. Access to specialty care in rural Michigan. 2023.
Seen at both offices — Howell and Bloomfield Township.
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.