If you are dealing with foot pain or an ankle issue, the last thing you need is confusion about whether insurance will cover a podiatrist visit. The good news is that most plans do, as long it’s for a medical reason and not cosmetic.
But like all things insurance-related, it depends. Here’s what you should know if you’re thinking about booking a podiatrist appointment in Connecticut.
What Types of Podiatry Visits Are Covered by Insurance?
Insurance will cover your podiatrist visit if the reason is medical. That means things such as:
- Heel pain or plantar fasciitis
- Ankle sprains or sports injuries
- Bunions or hammertoes
- Toenail infections/fungus
- Diabetic foot care
- Wounds or ulcers
- Arthritis that affects the feet or ankles
If your condition is affecting your ability to walk, exercise, or carry out daily activities, your plan may consider the treatment necessary, which allows it to be covered.
What’s Typically Not Covered?
Insurance doesn’t cover every foot-related appointment. In most cases, basic routine foot care isn’t included unless there’s a medical reason for it. Some examples of routine care that usually aren’t covered include:
- Basic toenail trimming
- Removing calluses or corns solely for comfort
- Well-care visits with no diagnosed condition
That said, if you have diabetes or poor circulation, even routine care may be covered. It’s always worth asking.
Do Medicare or Medicaid Cover Podiatry?
Medicare covers foot and ankle treatment if medically necessary. Examples include diabetic foot exams, infection treatment, and some surgeries. Routine care is usually not covered unless your doctor says you need it to treat a specific medical condition.
Medicaid (HUSKY in Connecticut) also covers podiatry, but only when there’s a medical reason. You might need a referral, depending on your plan.
Do I Need a Referral?
Most insurance plans, including HMOs, require a referral from your general practitioner before you can see a podiatrist. If you are unsure, give us a call, and we will be happy to look into your plan.
Insurance Plans Accepted at Vale Foot and Ankle
At Vale, we accept most major insurance providers for podiatry, including:
- Medicare
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (all plans)
- Medicaid / HUSKY
- Multiplan
- ConnectiCare
- UnitedHealthcare / Oxford
- WellCare
- CarePartners
- Most Medigap plans other than Cigna
- HMO plans all (with referral)
If you’re unsure whether we accept your insurance, give us a call and we’ll check for you. It’s also a good idea to contact your insurance provider so you know exactly what your plan covers before you book.
We Make Podiatry Insurance Easy
We get it, insurance can be confusing. That’s why we do everything we can to keep things simple and transparent. When you schedule a podiatry appointment with Vale Foot and Ankle, we confirm your benefits, check if a referral is needed, and explain any costs up front. No surprises, no guesswork.
Schedule Your Visit
Your feet shouldn’t hurt, and you shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get care. If you are ready to get help for a foot or ankle issue, contact us at Vale Foot and Ankle. We can help you sort out whether your specific insurance covers a podiatrist visit so you can get back to what you love.
