I was just asked to confirm the need for “orthopedic” shoes for a patient so
that Medicaid would pay for them. I’ve got a number of issues with this
request but it did bring up an interesting question. What is the “accepted”
definition of “orthopedic shoes”?
My understanding has been that orthopedic shoes are shoes specially designed
to accomodate an orthopedic deformity or insensate foot.
I believe that I’m being asked to redefine orthopedic shoes to mean “any
shoe used to accomodate an orthopedic problem”. This, of course opens up
the opportunity for many people to obtain shoes through Medicaid who do not
need special shoes. Can we use the term “orthopedic” to get Medicaid to pay
for shoes to accomodate FOs?
Interested in your responses.
Harold Anderson, CO
