Podiatrist: problem with free Medicare shoes

[Mrs.Milo]

At Dr appt my DH was told Medicare provides a free pair of shoes every other year. Great, he ordered a pair, picked up N/C.
DH had an appt last week, where he was handed a statement saying he owed $46.38 for inserts that were included in the shoe package, (unaware as we had not opened.). Insurance was billed $624.00 for inserts, adjusted $371.24 off, insurance paid $201.38, we owe &46.38.

The inserts are cheap foam, but seems it’s just a money-making process for the office. We liked the doctor, but feel this is a scam. I am told we signed consent to be treated so have no recourse. Is this standard procedure? I will be paying the bill, but not happy. And I will be looking for a different podiatrist office.

 

[barkley]

At Dr appt my DH was told Medicare provides a free pair of shoes every other year. Great, he ordered a pair, picked up N/C.
DH had an appt last week, where he was handed a statement saying he owed $46.38 for inserts that were included in the shoe package, (unaware as we had not opened.). Insurance was billed $624.00 for inserts, adjusted $371.24 off, insurance paid $201.38, we owe &46.38.

The inserts are cheap foam, but seems it’s just a money-making process for the office. We liked the doctor, but feel this is a scam. I am told we signed consent to be treated so have no recourse. Is this standard procedure? I will be paying the bill, but not happy. And I will be looking for a different podiatrist office.

report the doctor/office to 1-800-MEDICARE. they will investigate to see if the office is indeed misinforming patients about their coverage/share of cost.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Did you actually look into this at all? It's hard to even think about scam without knowing if you did any looking into what they were saying rather than buying shoes without knowing what that entailed. There's different qualifications and different rules depending on if it's Part B or Part C (a PPO). There are rules regarding coverage that depend on which one as well as where you got the shoes or inserts from and if it's participating with the plan you have which either determine your eligibility or your eventual costs.

Additionally it's the responsibility to also know what you're signing which I know goes without saying but you're the one calling the doctor a scam and it's hard to tell that by just what you're saying. Would you not have known what was included in the shoes your husband was ordering? Or had ordered for him. An estimate of the charges?

An insert is normally part and parcel with a podiatrist, that isn't absolute but it's often that a special insert (often customized for the person but not always) for a particular foot issue a person is having is a main feature of going to one along with discussions or recommendations of specific shoes. Inserts often work with special shoes together. So it's a bit hard for you to say you consent to be treated without your knowledge, your husband went to a specialized doctor for a reason. I can go to my eye doctor and have the appointment but not order glasses or contacts from them but if I do order through them I agree to their costs and what my insurance will cover, which I'm always informed of before the ordering occurs by means of an itemized receipt.

Scam is thrown out there so casually when it's not nearly as common as people want it to be. I couldn't say it's a scam here just because you have a bill and you don't want to pay.

 

[easyas123]

Did you ask the Dr’s office about the discrepancy while picking up the shoes?

 

[lanejudy]

It seems your beef may be with the doctor’s office and lack of clear communication. I would never trust “free shoes” without asking what is involved, any copay, etc. presumably your DH has medical needs related to his feet and shoes (or inserts?) were recommended for a reason. Was this his first time at a podiatrist?

 

[tvguy]

You paid about 20% of the cost, that is normal with Medicare IF you don't have Part G (Medigap) coverage and do not have a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plan)

 

[LuvOrlando]

Whoa those are some expensive shoes if the inserts alone are $624. Have you asked what is special about the inserts or why they are needed?

It is annoying but I wouldn't change a good Dr over what could be a minor communication issue with office staff. I have lots of Dr's and separate Dr interactions from staff, the staff will change and sometimes people get sick and have a fill in or some other thing that can cause issues but the Dr is the thing that I show up for not the staff. If it was me i'd tell the Dr there was an issue and ask more questions next time. You wouldn't believe the hoops I jump through over Botox, it is endless

 

[focusondisney]

At Dr appt my DH was told Medicare provides a free pair of shoes every other year. Great, he ordered a pair, picked up N/C.
DH had an appt last week, where he was handed a statement saying he owed $46.38 for inserts that were included in the shoe package, (unaware as we had not opened.). Insurance was billed $624.00 for inserts, adjusted $371.24 off, insurance paid $201.38, we owe &46.38.

The inserts are cheap foam, but seems it’s just a money-making process for the office. We liked the doctor, but feel this is a scam. I am told we signed consent to be treated so have no recourse. Is this standard procedure? I will be paying the bill, but not happy. And I will be looking for a different podiatrist office.

My husband also got Medicare paid shoes & inserts from the podiatrist this year. He did not have a copay, but we are on a Medicare advantage plan. @tvguy’s comment about the 20% cost makes sense if your husband has only traditional Medicare. And yes, the inserts are a foam type material & not hard plastic. But they were custom made & are a durable, lasting quality, not cheap material. He got 3 pairs of inserts, he put 1 inside his slippers that he wears all the time at home. He’s had that pair in for over 6 months & they’re still supportive & in perfect condition. The only problem he had was the shoes he liked were sold out, twice. The pair he finally picked wasn’t something he really wanted, so he rarely wears them. But he definitely wears the inserts & he’s had much less pain because of them.