In May of 1993, Medicare's Therapeutic Shoes for Persons
with Diabetes Benefit took effect. The Medicare Therapeutic
Shoe Bill (TSB) provides reimbursement for depth shoes and
multi density inserts to qualifying patients with diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, there are
over 20 million Americans with diabetes and this number continues
to grow. Twenty-five percent of persons with diabetes
develop foot problems and each year more than 86,000
amputations are preformed as a direct result of diabetes.
Recognizing this problem, Congress approved the Medicare Therapeutic
Shoe Bill, helping thousands of persons with diabetes obtain
protective footwear and inserts at little or no cost to them.
ELIGIBILITY
Persons with the diagnosis of diabetes (ICD-9 Code 250.00-250.09)
- whether insulin dependent or not - are eligible for shoes
and inserts. Diabetes controlled by diet does not qualify
for this benefit.
WHAT IS COVERED
Each calendar year (January 1st to December
31), a person can receive one pair of depth shoes and
three pairs of multi density inserts. For example, if
a person receives their first pair of shoes in March of 2007,
they would be eligible again in January, 2008 to receive another
pair and every year thereafter. Depth shoes can be off-the-shelf
or custom molded.
INSURANCES ACCEPTED
All Diabetic footwear, inserts and Gauntlets are
covered by OSI's acceptable insurances:
•Medicare Part B
•Evercare
•Senior Whole
Health
•Medicare Part
B and BC/BS cover 80%.
•Most people
have a secondary insurance to cover the 20% co-payment.
•Evercare and
Senior Whole Health cover 100%. Senior Whole Health will pay for shoes for non-diabetics!
•Orthotic Solutions, Inc. is responsible for
obtaining Physician orders and all necessary paperwork AND does all
of the billing to insurance
companies.
Note: If a resident is at a Skilled Nursing Facility on Medicare
PART A, the facility is responsible for the cost of the shoes.
However, if a resident is going to be discharged, we can fit
them at the facility within 48 hours of discharge or we can
fit them at home and bill their Medicare Part B.
SERVICE PROGRAM
•Free
In-Home or Nursing Facility assessments.
•Each
person is individually assessed, measured and fitted.
•Upon
delivery, 3 pairs of multi-density inserts are heat molded and
labeled with the date they should be replaced.
•Shoes
may be available to be fitted the same day of the initial assessment.
However, if shoes need to be ordered,
delivery is 5-10 business days.
Foot Gauntlet
Ideal
for pain relief from Diabetes, Arthritis and Raynaud's
Disease, or anyone with chronically "cold feet".
Clinically proven to increase surface skin and subcutaneous
temperature between 2-3° F, the optimal level
to make tendons and muscles more pliable and elastic
to provide optimal muscle function
The lining is a series of soft spirals that stimulate
the skin to help create heat required for healing.
The small fibers lift moisture away from the skin
while the knitting process holds air inside the pile
to allow the skin to ventilate
The lining creates a micro climate that allows the
skin to ventilate and remain well oxygenated for hours
of continuously comfortable wear
Has the additional benefit of a Velcro closure for
ease of application and adjustable compression
Increases elasticity of muscles, tendons and ligaments
to reduce the risk of injury when under stress and
strain
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL:
I have for the first time in over 12 years been able to
sleep at night without getting up to get ice or other
treatment for my diabetic neuropathy. I was on my way
to Mayo Clinic to see a neurologist about my feet pain
and stopped into your store on August 21st. As I left
your store, I changed from my shoes and that night at
the motel in Jacksonville, I wore the Gauntlets. I slept
without the tremendous pain I have become used to and
the next day bragged about these gauntlets to the neurologist.
I gave him your brochure. Over the past two weeks, I have
felt so blessed to have met you and received these new
booties. I wear them every evening and all night, and
if I am home during the day, sometimes I slip into them.
I have washed them and they came out great. I can't say
enough good things about these gauntlets and have told
many people about them. I work as a Caregiver with geriatrics
and have told my patients about this tool.
