MS and Toenails Clipped

[Northeast Agent]

My parents both have a MS, and go to the podiatrist maybe six times yearly to have their thickening toenails clipped. He is a type 2 diabetic, so there are foot concerns.

Mom told me this morning that her neighbor, who also has a MS pays $70 to get hers clipped (different doctor). He said it's "defrauding Medicare" to bill for this.

A lot of MA companies pay for it six times a year - what's up with MS? I guess my parents doctor bills/codes it somehow to pay?

 

[somarco]

Medicare generally does not cover routine foot care. There are a few exceptions such as for diabetics.
https://www.cms.gov/outreach-and-ed...k-mln/mlnmattersarticles/downloads/se1113.pdf

FWIW, here is another link to an ARP Q&A page.
Does Medicare cover routine foot care?

 

[Northeast Agent]

somarco said:

Medicare generally does not cover routine foot care. There are a few exceptions such as for diabetics.

Thanks. This makes sense for my Dad's diabetes and maybe the podiatrist justifies hers under, "If the act of toenail clipping would be hazardous to your health unless done by a professional, such as a podiatrist." She has arthritis.

 

[fed up]

We cared for 3 elderly parents during a period beginning in 2010. Never had an issue with a visit to a podiatrist with billing medicare and if they had to pay the 20% it was not a financial problem but it certainly was not $70. Medicare fraud is billing for visits which never occurred.