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 Diabetes
is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. During
the past decade, there has been an increase of 33% with the
diabetic population currently topping 16 million people. There
are many complications associated with diabetes including
kidney, heart, vision, circulatory and foot problems. The
good news is that many of these potential problems can be
minimized as a result of life style changes, medications and
other preventive care.
Amputations, or partial amputations, of the feet and legs
are also growing at an alarming rate. In fact, it is the leading
cause of non-traumatic amputation in the United States. Recently
a task force was created by officials from Medicare, the American
Podiatric Medical Association and the American Diabetes Association
in order to explore ways to reduce the number of amputations
in the diabetic populations. The number of these lower extremity
amputations grew by 28% in just the past several years. However,
it has been determined that over half of these amputations
could have been prevented by timely conservative foot care.
We are authorized Medicare Suppliers to evaluate, prescribe
and dispense high quality shoes and 3 pairs of removable protective
shoe inserts per calendar year. Many diabetic patients qualify
for this benefit and Medicare will pay 80% of the cost for
the shoes and insoles and your supplemental insurance should
pay the other 20%.
Jeremy Long, our shoe and orthotic specialist, is available for any of your diabetic shoe and insert needs.
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