VA Benefits for Podiatry — Foot Care for Michigan Veterans

Michigan veterans who receive healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have podiatry coverage as part of their VA benefits. Foot and ankle conditions are common among veterans — from service-related injuries to conditions exacerbated by military service. Here’s how to access podiatric care through your VA benefits.

What VA Benefits Cover for Podiatry

VA healthcare covers a comprehensive range of podiatric services for enrolled veterans:

• Evaluation and treatment of foot and ankle conditions
• Diabetic foot care — critical given the high rates of diabetes among veterans
• Wound care and ulcer management
• Podiatric surgery when medically necessary
• Custom orthotics with medical necessity documentation
• Diabetic therapeutic footwear

Veterans in Livingston and Oakland County

Livingston County and Oakland County have significant veteran populations. The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System serves many southeastern Michigan veterans, and the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN) has expanded options for veterans to receive care from community providers like Balance Foot & Ankle.

VA Community Care (Veteran Choice)

Through the VA Community Care program (formerly VA Choice), veterans may qualify to receive care from private-sector providers like Balance Foot & Ankle when:

• The VA cannot provide the care in a timely manner or within a reasonable distance
• The veteran has received approval for community care from their VA facility

If you have VA healthcare and are interested in receiving podiatric care at our office, contact your VA primary care team to discuss community care authorization.

Veterans with Other Insurance

Many veterans have health insurance in addition to VA benefits — through employers, Medicare, or Tricare. These patients can typically be seen at Balance Foot & Ankle through their primary insurance without going through the VA community care process.

📞 Michigan veteran with a foot problem? Call (810) 206-1402 to discuss your coverage options.

VA Benefits for Podiatry in Michigan: Foot Care for Veterans at Balance Foot & Ankle

Michigan veterans covered under VA health benefits have several pathways to access podiatric care outside the VA healthcare system, including through the VA Community Care Program (formerly Choice Program) and through the Veterans Community Care Program that allows eligible veterans to see community providers when VA care is not readily available. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts VA Community Care authorizations for eligible Michigan veterans seeking podiatric care at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills locations. Veterans with service-connected foot or ankle conditions — injuries sustained during military service, sequelae of military occupational demands — may have disability ratings through the VA that qualify them for covered community care with no out-of-pocket cost for covered services.

Michigan veterans who want to access community care podiatry through the VA should first contact their VA primary care team or the VA Community Care office to determine eligibility and request an authorization. VA Community Care eligibility depends on factors including the veteran’s distance from the nearest VA facility with podiatric services, wait time at the VA, and the veteran’s enrollment tier. Once authorized, veterans can schedule at Balance Foot & Ankle and we bill the VA directly — the veteran has no out-of-pocket cost for authorized services. Veterans who are not enrolled in VA healthcare but have service-related foot conditions should explore enrollment eligibility at VA.gov. Non-VA-covered veterans in Livingston and Oakland counties are welcome at Balance Foot & Ankle as private-pay or commercial insurance patients. Call (810) 206-1402 to discuss your situation and schedule.

Patients covered under this plan who are uncertain about network participation or authorization requirements for specific services are encouraged to call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 before scheduling. Our insurance team verifies benefits for every new patient — confirming in-network status, identifying specialist cost-sharing, and flagging any prior authorization requirements for planned procedures. This verification call is free and typically takes less than 5 minutes, eliminating the uncertainty that leads many patients to defer necessary foot care. Same-week appointments are available in Howell and Bloomfield Hills for most foot and ankle concerns.

Related Treatment Guides

• Diabetic Foot Care
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment

Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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.