| Visit Type | Telehealth Appropriate? | What Can Be Assessed | What Requires In-Person | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Patient Consultation | Yes — initial triage | History, symptoms, photo review, medication review | X-ray, physical exam, gait analysis | Plantar fasciitis, bunion review, nail concerns, wound check-in |
| Follow-Up (Post-Surgical) | Yes — photo/video review | Wound healing photos, swelling assessment, pain review | Suture removal, dressing change, weight-bearing assessment | 2-week post-op check, cast/boot adjustment follow-up |
| Chronic Condition Management | Yes | Symptom monitoring, medication refills, orthotic compliance | New X-ray, injection, debridement | Diabetic foot monitoring, neuropathy, chronic plantar fasciitis |
| Urgent / Acute Concern | Partial — triage only | Photo review, infection assessment, urgency determination | Drainage, debridement, X-ray, lab work | Infected ingrown nail triage, acute sprain assessment |
| DME / Prescription Renewal | Yes (if established patient) | Review of prior imaging / notes; prescribe orthotics, braces, medications | New fitting, new imaging indication | Diabetic shoe renewal, orthotic prescription, topical refill |
| Insurance | Telehealth Coverage (Michigan) | Platform Requirement | Patient Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare (traditional) | Covered — audio/video; expanded coverage maintained post-COVID | HIPAA-compliant video (audio-only also covered) | Standard 20% coinsurance after deductible | Must use approved platforms; rural vs urban distinctions apply |
| Medicaid (Michigan) | Covered — synchronous video and audio | HIPAA-compliant platform | Minimal or zero copay | Michigan expanded telehealth parity law applies |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | Covered — parity with in-person | Any HIPAA-compliant platform | Same as in-person copay | Telehealth parity law requires equal coverage |
| UnitedHealthcare | Covered | HIPAA-compliant video preferred | Standard specialist copay | Verify plan-specific benefits; some plans use Optum Virtual Care |
| Priority Health | Covered — parity law applies | Video preferred; audio accepted | Standard copay | Michigan parity law mandates coverage equal to in-person |
Quick answer: Telemedicine Telehealth Podiatry Michigan Balance Foot Ankle is a common foot/ankle topic that affects many patients. The 2026 evidence-based approach combines proper diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.
Foot pain isn't resolving?
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Medically Reviewed | Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan
Quick Answer:
Quick Answer: Balance Foot & Ankle offers telemedicine (telehealth) visits for appropriate podiatric consultations — including post-surgical follow-up, medication reviews, wound photo review, orthotic wear questions, and established patient concerns that do not require hands-on examination. Telemedicine is NOT appropriate for new patients with undiagnosed conditions, acute injuries requiring examination, wound debridement, injections, or any procedure. Michigan insurance plans including Medicare cover telehealth visits for qualifying services. Telemedicine appointments are booked through michiganfootdoctors.com — secure HIPAA-compliant video platform.
Telemedicine podiatry — secure video appointments for appropriate foot and ankle concerns — offers convenient access to Dr. Tom Biernacki at Balance Foot & Ankle PLLC for patients who cannot easily travel to the clinic or have questions that don’t require in-person examination. Telehealth visits are conducted via a HIPAA-compliant secure video platform and are covered by most Michigan insurance plans for qualifying services.
What Can Be Addressed via Telemedicine
Appropriate for telehealth: Post-surgical follow-up (reviewing healing progress via patient photos, addressing questions), medication review (reviewing prescription medications, discussing side effects), wound photo review (established wound care patients with good healing progress), orthotic wear questions (troubleshooting fit, wear schedule, shoe compatibility), established patient concerns for known conditions, and review of imaging reports when patient already has the images. NOT appropriate for telehealth: New patients with undiagnosed conditions (requires history, physical examination, and often X-rays), acute injuries (sprains, suspected fractures), wound debridement, injections (cortisone, PRP, alcohol sclerosing), and any situation where hands-on examination is required for accurate diagnosis.
Insurance Coverage for Telehealth
Michigan Medicare and most major commercial plans cover telehealth visits for appropriate podiatric services — the same visit types covered in-person are generally covered via telehealth. Medicare’s expanded telehealth coverage policies include podiatric telehealth visits with established patients for qualifying services. Coverage details vary by plan — please verify your specific plan’s telehealth benefits before scheduling. Patients without telehealth coverage may opt for a self-pay telehealth rate.
How to Book a Telemedicine Visit
Telemedicine appointments are booked directly through the patient portal at michiganfootdoctors.com. Select “Telemedicine” as the visit type when booking. You will receive a secure video link via email before your appointment. Have any relevant photos, recent imaging reports, or medication lists ready to share during the visit. Dr. Biernacki reviews your chart before the telehealth appointment to ensure continuity of care.
Dr. Tom's Product Recommendations
Ring Light for Telehealth Video Calls
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LED ring light for better lighting during telemedicine appointments — improved lighting helps Dr. Biernacki see wound photos, skin conditions, and foot deformities more clearly during virtual visits.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist asked me to get better lighting for my telehealth wound check and the ring light made my foot photos much clearer for remote review.”
Telehealth podiatry, wound photo quality, virtual appointment preparation
Good lighting is helpful but not required — natural window light works well for most telehealth visits
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Waterproof Phone Stand for Foot Photos
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Adjustable phone stand for hands-free foot photography during telemedicine appointments — allows patients to take clear plantar, dorsal, and wound photos for remote review.
Dr. Tom says: “My podiatrist asked me to photograph my wound weekly for telehealth review and this stand allowed me to get clear photos of my plantar foot without help.”
Telehealth wound photography, plantar foot photos, remote podiatry monitoring
For patient convenience only — not medically required equipment
Disclosure: We earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
✅ Pros / Benefits
- Convenient post-surgical follow-up without driving to the clinic
- Wound photo review keeps established wound care patients on track between in-person visits
- Michigan Medicare and commercial insurance coverage for qualifying telehealth services
- HIPAA-compliant secure video platform
❌ Cons / Risks
- Cannot replace in-person examination for new diagnoses, acute injuries, or procedural visits
- Image quality and connectivity can limit the clinical utility of wound assessment
- Not appropriate for established patients with new symptoms requiring hands-on evaluation
Dr. Tom Biernacki’s Recommendation
Telemedicine serves a specific and valuable role in podiatric care — the post-op patient 10 days after surgery who is worried about their incision site can send photos and do a video visit rather than driving 40 minutes. The chronic wound care patient progressing well can have a photo review visit between monthly in-person debridements. What telehealth cannot replace is the diagnostic process — palpating a joint, performing a drawer test, or assessing neurovascular status requires physical presence. We deploy telehealth strategically for the cases where it adds genuine value.
— Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Balance Foot & Ankle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a podiatrist via telehealth in Michigan?
Yes — Michigan allows telemedicine podiatry visits for appropriate services. Balance Foot & Ankle offers telehealth appointments for established patients for post-surgical follow-up, medication review, wound photo assessment, and established condition management. New patients with undiagnosed conditions and patients with acute injuries requiring examination should schedule in-person visits. Most Michigan insurance plans and Medicare cover appropriate telehealth services.
Does Medicare cover telemedicine podiatry?
Yes — Medicare covers telehealth podiatry visits for appropriate services with established patients. Coverage includes post-surgical follow-up, established condition management, and medication review. Medicare requires the patient to be at an approved originating site (which now includes home for many services post-COVID policy changes). Verify current Medicare telehealth coverage with your specific plan, as policies continue to evolve.
What should I prepare for a telehealth podiatry visit?
For a telemedicine podiatry appointment: ensure your device has camera and microphone capability, use good lighting (natural window light or a ring light), have any recent X-ray or MRI reports available, photograph your foot from plantar, dorsal, medial, and lateral views before the visit if the visit is for wound or skin assessment, have your current medication list ready, and be in a private location. Your secure video link will be sent by email — test the link before your appointment time.
What types of foot problems can be seen via telehealth?
Telehealth works well for: reviewing wound healing progress with established wound care patients (with good photos), post-surgical follow-up questions and incision review, orthotic fit questions, medication management for established patients, reviewing imaging reports that were ordered at a prior in-person visit, and established patient symptom updates for known conditions. In-person visits are required for: new patient consultations, undiagnosed foot and ankle pain, acute injuries, any procedure (injection, debridement, casting), and situations where the clinical picture cannot be assessed without examination.
Michigan Foot Pain? See Dr. Biernacki In Person
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📞 (810) 206-1402 Book Online →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a podiatrist?
If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).
What does treatment cost?
Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.
What is Foot pain?
Foot pain is a common foot/ankle condition that affects mobility and quality of life. Understanding the underlying cause is the first step in successful treatment. Our podiatrists at Balance Foot & Ankle perform a hands-on biomechanical exam, review your activity history, and use diagnostic imaging when appropriate to identify the root cause—not just treat the symptom. Many patients have been told to “rest and ice” without a deeper diagnostic workup; our approach is different.
Symptoms and warning signs
Common signs of foot pain include pain that worsens with activity, morning stiffness, swelling, tenderness when palpated, and difficulty bearing weight. If you experience sudden severe pain, inability to walk, visible deformity, numbness or color change, contact our office the same day or visit urgent care—these can signal a more serious injury such as a fracture, tendon rupture, or vascular compromise. Diabetics with any foot wound should seek same-day care.
Conservative treatment options
Most cases of foot pain respond to non-surgical care: structured rest, supportive footwear changes, custom orthotics, targeted stretching and strengthening protocols, anti-inflammatory medications when medically appropriate, and in-office procedures such as ultrasound-guided injections. We also offer advanced therapies including MLS laser therapy, EPAT/shockwave, regenerative injections, and image-guided procedures. Treatment is sequenced from least invasive to most invasive, and we explain the rationale at every step.
When is surgery considered?
Surgery is reserved for cases that fail 3-6 months of well-structured conservative care, when there is structural pathology (severe deformity, complete tear, advanced arthritis), or when imaging shows damage that will not heal without intervention. Our surgeons have performed 3,000+ foot and ankle procedures and prioritize minimally-invasive techniques whenever appropriate. We discuss recovery timelines, return-to-activity milestones, and realistic outcome expectations before any procedure is scheduled.
Recovery timeline and prevention
Recovery from foot pain varies based on severity and chosen treatment path. Conservative cases often improve within 4-8 weeks with consistent adherence to the protocol. Post-procedural recovery may range from a few days (in-office procedures) to several months (reconstructive surgery). Long-term prevention involves footwear assessment, activity modification, structured strengthening, and regular check-ins with your podiatrist if you have a history of recurrence. We provide written home-exercise plans and digital follow-up support.
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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)