A quick search revealed the following requirements:
Medicare program carriers generally require the following before reimbursement will be made for shoes, inserts or modifications furnished to a program beneficiary.
A certification of medical necessity from the physician who manages the patient's diabetes, which certifies that the patient:
(a) has diabetes mellitus,
(b) has at least one of the qualifying conditions,
(c) is being treated under a comprehensive plan of care for his or her diabetes, and
(d) needs diabetic shoes.
Medicare carriers recommend that suppliers use the Medicare approved ?Statement of Certifying Physician for Therapeutic Shoes? form to fulfill this requirement.
A prescription for a particular type of footwear (e.g., shoes, inserts, modifications) from a podiatrist, or physician who is knowledgeable in the fitting of diabetic shoes and inserts. Suppliers are required to keep file copies of signed and dated physician prescriptions.
The footwear must be fitted and furnished by a podiatrist or other qualified individual, such as a pedorthist, orthotist, or prosthetist. The certifying physician may not furnish the footwear unless he or she practices in a defined rural area or health professional shortage area. Only then, the prescribing physician may be the supplier.
Another option is to consider that you bring the patient in specifically to review their diabetes, evaluate need for shoes and inserts - write the scrip, generate the chart note, etc. - This at least generates you a fairly high level office visit.
