There are two types of diabetic shoes: custom molded and depth shoes.

Custom molded shoes are shoes that are:

• constructed over a positive model of the wearer's foot
• made from leather or other material of equal quality
• have removable inserts that can be altered or placed as the wearer's condition warrants
• have some form of shoe closure, such as lace or Velcro

Depth shoes are shoes that:

• have a full length heel to toe liner that, when removed, provides a minimum of 3/16 inch of additional depth used to accommodate custom molded or customized inserts
• made from leather or other material of equal quality
• have some form of shoe closure, such as lace or Velcro
• are available in full and half sizes with a minimum of three widths

Custom molded shoes are only used for severe foot deformities when an off the shelf depth shoe will not accommodate the wear’s foot.  Medicare requires that specific documentation be met in order to cover a custom molded shoe.

There are a wide range of Depth shoes that meet Medicare criteria from athletic walking shoes to Mary Jane’s to work boots, depending on the patient’s specific needs.  Manufacturers of depth shoes will submit a sample shoe to make sure it meets Medicare criteria--if approved--it receives an “A5500” code and Medicare can be billed for the product.

Select Diabetic shoe recommendations from SLPG