You’re in your doctor’s office. They tell you they’ve found the answer to why you feel nauseous so often, why you’re in the bathroom so often, why you’re always thirsty.

You have diabetes.

It’s not what you expected and it leaves you feeling shattered. That’s understandable. Any serious diagnosis will do that, especially one for a disease that will affect how you live the rest of your life.

Does Medicare Cover Shoes for Diabetics?

Proper footcare is essential for people with diabetes. In many cases, proper foot care means wearing special shoes for diabetics.

These shoes are often covered by Medicare, which will cover the cost of one pair of diabetic shoes per customer each year.

However, this option expires at the end of the calendar year, so now is the time to act. But before we discuss Medicare’s criteria for diabetic footwear coverage, let’s address why these shoes are necessary in the first place.

Proper foot care is important for everyone, but it's especially important for people with diabetes, as anyone who has ever shopped for shoes for diabetics can tell you.

About a quarter of all diabetes-related hospital visits stem from foot issues, and people with diabetes are at high risk for foot ulcers, or – in more extreme cases – having a toe or foot amputated.

But while that sounds scary, it doesn't mean things are hopeless for people with diabetes.  There are some things you can do – and some things you should avoid – to keep your feet healthy.

While proper foot care is crucial for people with diabetes, not every person with the illness needs special shoes.

If you do need diabetic shoes, you might be able to have it paid for under Medicare. Here’s what you need to know about Medicare and shoes for diabetics.