Sponsors (48)
The bill improves access to podiatric care for Medicaid enrollees and adds Medicare coverage for diabetic footwear—measures that can reduce serious foot complications—while increasing Medicaid/Medicare spending and imposing new administrative requirements that may cause delays and costs for providers, states, and taxpayers.
Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes will gain coverage for extra‑depth or custom‑molded shoes with inserts when clinically justified, improving foot protection and reducing risk of ulcers and amputations.
Medicaid beneficiaries will have explicit access to services from doctors of podiatric medicine classified as 'physicians,' improving access to podiatric care starting Jan 1, 2026.
Patients who receive appropriate extra‑depth or custom footwear may face lower long‑term medical costs due to fewer diabetic foot complications and hospitalizations.
Taxpayers, Medicare and Medicaid programs will face increased spending because the bill expands coverage (Medicaid recognition of podiatric physicians and added Medicare footwear benefits).
Some Medicare beneficiaries may face delays in obtaining shoes while clinicians and suppliers complete required documentation and attestation, potentially postponing needed care.
Physicians and suppliers must complete extra documentation and attestations, increasing administrative burden on clinicians and clinics.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Recognizes podiatrists as physicians for Medicaid and creates Medicare coverage rules for diabetic extra-depth or custom-molded shoes with inserts.
Official title: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by Medicaid beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care, to amend title XVIII of such Act to modify the requirements for diabetic shoes to be included under Medicare, and for other purposes.
Introduced March 12, 2026 by John Joyce · Last progress March 12, 2026
Expands Medicaid and Medicare coverage rules so people with diabetes can get foot-care services and specially fitted shoes. For Medicaid, it recognizes doctors of podiatric medicine as "physicians" for purposes of medical assistance starting January 1, 2026 (with a state-law transition period). For Medicare, it establishes coverage conditions for extra-depth or custom-molded shoes with inserts for beneficiaries with diabetes starting January 1, 2028, including required documentation and who may fit and furnish the shoes.