Introduction
Living with diabetes requires careful management of many aspects of your health, including proper foot care. For residents of Poplar Bluff and surrounding communities, accessing specialized diabetic footwear has traditionally been challenging—until now.
Why Diabetic Footwear Matters
Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation in the feet, making them more susceptible to injuries, ulcers, and infections. Proper footwear designed specifically for diabetic patients plays a crucial role in preventing these complications.
Diabetic shoes are constructed with:
Extra depth and width to prevent pressure points
Seamless interiors to reduce friction
Cushioned soles for shock absorption
Supportive features for proper alignment
Custom insoles work alongside these shoes to distribute pressure evenly across the foot, further reducing the risk of ulcers and injuries.
The Access Challenge in Our Community
Until recently, patients in Poplar Bluff and nearby areas faced a significant obstacle to obtaining proper diabetic footwear: travel distance. Most patients needed to travel more than two hours to access these specialized services.
This travel burden created several problems:
- Additional costs for transportation
- Time away from work or family
- Physical discomfort during long trips
- Postponed or missed appointment
Ozark Total Healthcare in Poplar Bluff now offers these specialized services locally eliminating the need for extensive travel and making proper foot care more accessible.
Insurance Coverage for Diabetic Footwear
One common misconception is that diabetic shoes and custom insoles are prohibitively expensive. The truth is that these items are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare, when properly prescribed.
However, there is a specific ordering process that must be followed:
- The prescription must come from a physician who treats your diabetes
- A comprehensive foot examination must be documented
- The correct billing codes and documentation must be submitted
The Awareness Gap
Despite the importance of proper footwear and its availability through insurance, there remains a significant awareness gap. Many patients simply don’t know that:
- They qualify for diabetic shoes
- Insurance will cover most or all of the cost
- These specialized shoes can dramatically reduce their risk of foot complications
Equally concerning is that some healthcare providers are not fully informed about the prescription process or the importance of appropriate footwear for their diabetic patients.
How Ozark Medical Equipment Is Making a Difference
By offering diabetic footwear services in and around Poplar Bluff, Ozark Medical Equipment is addressing both the access problem and the awareness gap. Our team works directly with patients and their physicians to ensure the proper prescription process is followed and that insurance coverage is maximized.
Taking the Next Step
If you or a loved one has diabetes, talk to your physician about whether diabetic shoes and custom insoles would be beneficial. If your doctor agrees but isn’t familiar with the prescription process, have them contact Ozark Total Healthcare for guidance.
Don’t let distance or lack of awareness prevent you from accessing the specialized footwear that could help protect your feet from serious diabetes-related complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetic shoes are physician‑prescribed, extra‑depth shoes made with seamless interiors and wider toe boxes to reduce pressure points and protect against ulcers, blisters, and calluses—common risks for people with diabetes. They’re often paired with heat‑molded or fully custom insoles for an individualized fit.
Yes. Medicare and most private insurers require an order from your primary‑care provider (or specialist such as a podiatrist or endocrinologist). Ozark can help you request the order and will schedule a fitting once the script is in hand.
In most cases, Medicare Part B covers one pair of diabetic shoes and up to three sets of custom insoles per calendar year, provided you meet the coverage criteria (diagnosis of diabetes plus at least one qualifying foot condition) and the shoes are dispensed by an accredited supplier like Ozark. Check with your plan for any copays or deductible requirements.
After your prescription is verified, you’ll meet with a certified fitter at Ozark’s Westwood Blvd location. They’ll measure each foot, assess pressure points, and let you choose from approved styles. Custom insoles are molded to your foot shape and inserted on‑site; the entire visit usually takes 30–45 minutes.
Most insurers authorize one new pair of shoes every 12 months. Insoles compress faster—plan on replacing them every 3–6 months, or sooner if you notice loss of cushioning or new areas of rubbing.
Yes, as long as the shoe has enough depth and a removable factory insole. However, using them in non‑approved footwear could void insurance coverage, so discuss options with your fitter first.
Watch for redness that won’t fade, new calluses, swelling, numbness, or any open sore. Catching issues early prevents serious complications such as ulcers or infection.
Looking for dependable medical equipment and supplies?
Ozark’s Medical Equipment team provides expertly fitted diabetic shoes & custom insoles, plus oxygen therapy, CPAP machines, mobility aids, and more. We handle the prescriptions, insurance paperwork, and in‑home training, so you can focus on living safely and comfortably.
