Medicare News
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: |
| Friday, October 19, 2001 | CMS Office of Public Affairs 202-690-6145 |
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MEDICARE ANNOUNCES ITS INTENTION TO EXPAND FOOT CARE COVERAGE FOR SOME BENEFICIARIES WITH DIABETES
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today it will make it easier for beneficiaries suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy with loss of protective sensation (LOPS) to receive regular foot care.
Studies link diabetic peripheral neuropathy to increased risk for foot ulcers and amputations. This disease is a nerve condition that inhibits many diabetics' ability to feel the pain that might alert them to potentially dangerous injury. Regular foot care can help avoid injury and infection.
"A minor injury or infection that could be treated routinely for most patients can cause severe problems, even leading to amputation, for people with diabetes," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "By covering regular foot care for those of high risk of foot ulcers, Medicare will help many beneficiaries avoid potentially dangerous complications."
Beneficiaries may receive two foot exams per year, specifically for diabetic peripheral neuropathy with LOPS, provided they have not seen a foot care professional for some other reason.
Medicare law excludes coverage for routine foot care, except under specific circumstances, such as the treatment of a localized illness of the feet as in the case of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with LOPS.
The new decision memorandum is consistent with other Department of Health and Human Services initiatives to reduce the rate of amputations in people with diabetes, such as Healthy People 2010 and Peer Review Organization initiatives to increase diabetic foot awareness among primary care physicians.
CMS reviewed its existing policy on foot care related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy with LOPS at the request of the American Diabetes Association, and decided to approve the expanded coverage after a careful review of scientific data. CMS will announce when the coverage policy will become effective.
"Diabetes affects millions of older Americans, who will benefit greatly from this expanded coverage," said Jeffrey Kang, MD, MPH, director of CMS' Office of Clinical Standards and Quality and the agency's chief clinical officer. "This newest Medicare coverage decision illustrates our determination to improve the care given to Medicare beneficiaries by basing coverage decisions on the best available scientific evidence.
Details of the Decision Memorandum announced today can be found at Medicare Coverage Policy.
