Treatment of
Subluxation of Foot
Subluxations of the foot are defined as partial dislocations or displacements
of joint surfaces, tendons ligaments, or muscles of the foot. Surgical or
nonsurgical treatments undertaken for the sole purpose of correcting a
subluxated structure in the foot as an isolated entity are not covered.
However, medical or surgical treatment of subluxation of the ankle joint
(talo-crural joint) is covered. In addition, reasonable and necessary medical
or surgical services, diagnosis, or treatment for medical conditions that have
resulted from or are associated with partial displacement of structures is
covered. For example, if a patient has osteoarthritis that has resulted in a
partial displacement of joints in the foot, and the primary treatment is for
the osteoarthritis, coverage is provided.
B. Exclusions from Coverage
The following foot care services are generally excluded from coverage under
both Part A and Part B.
1. Treatment of Flat Foot
The term “flat foot” is defined as a condition in which one or more arches of
the foot have flattened out. Services or devices directed toward the care or
correction of such conditions, including the prescription of supportive
devices, are not covered.
2. Routine Foot Care
Except as provided above, routine foot care is excluded from coverage. Services
that normally are considered routine and not covered by Medicare include the
following:
• The cutting or removal of corns and calluses;
• The trimming, cutting, clipping, or debriding of nails; and
• Other hygienic and preventive maintenance care, such as cleaning and soaking
the feet, the use of skin creams to maintain skin tone of either ambulatory or
bedfast patients, and any other service performed in the absence of localized
illness, injury, or symptoms involving the foot.
3. Supportive Devices for Feet
Orthopedic shoes and other supportive devices for the feet generally are not
covered. However, this exclusion does not apply to such a shoe if it is an
integral part of a leg brace, and its expense is included as part of the cost
of the brace. Also, this exclusion does not apply to therapeutic shoes
furnished to diabetics
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