Foot care, braces and artificial limbs: what Medicare covers

Foot care

Part B covers foot exams or treatment if you have:

• Diabetes-related nerve damage in your lower legs that can raise the risk of losing a limb, or
• A foot injury or disease that needs medically necessary treatment, like hammer toe, bunions or heel spurs.

You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, plus a copay in a hospital outpatient setting. If you have certain diabetes-related foot problems, Medicare also covers one pair of therapeutic shoes a year; see diabetes care.

Braces and artificial limbs

Medicare covers:

• Orthotics, like arm, leg, back and neck braces.
• Prosthetics, including artificial arms, legs and eyes.
• Prosthetic devices that replace all or part of an internal body organ, like ostomy and urological supplies, tube or IV nutrition, some breast prostheses after a mastectomy, and cochlear devices.

Your doctor or other provider must order the item, and you must get it from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

Watch out for "free" braces

Be wary of anyone who calls offering free braces in exchange for your Medicare Number. Braces should come from your own provider's order. See Medicare scams.