How to Get Your Diabetic Shoes

Getting diabetic shoes doesn’t have to be confusing. This guide walks you through the process step by step, gives you scripts to use with your doctor’s office, and provides resources so your doctor has everything they need — including the Medicare timeframes for paperwork.

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Step 1: Start With the Doctor Who Treats Your Diabetes

  • The doctor managing your diabetes (usually your primary care physician or endocrinologist) must sign the prescription and Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN/SWO).
  • If you see a podiatrist:
    • They can perform the foot exam and document your risk factors.
    • Your diabetes doctor must also receive those notes and sign in agreement.

✅ Download the CMN + SWO (Prescription + Certificate of Medical Necessity)

Step 2: What Does Having Your Doctor Order Something Mean?

When your doctor orders diabetic shoes, it isn’t like a simple prescription. Medicare and insurance require very specific documentation that proves medical necessity. This includes:

  • A signed Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) or equivalent form (our version combines CMN + SWO).
  • Visit notes that specifically mention:
    • Your diabetes diagnosis.
    • A recent foot exam (neuropathy, calluses, poor circulation, or foot deformities).
    • That the exam and documentation are part of your overall comprehensive diabetes care plan.

Here’s what you can say at your appointment:

Opening:
 “Hi, I need to get diabetic shoes, and I understand Medicare requires a Certificate of Medical Necessity and visit notes. Could you please check that my last exam included both my diabetes and a foot exam, or schedule one if needed?”

Key Ask:

  • “Can you complete the Certificate of Medical Necessity and include visit notes that document my diabetes and foot exam as part of my care?”
  • “I believe it needs to include: my diabetes diagnosis, my last in-person exam, and notes about any foot issues (neuropathy, calluses, poor circulation, or foot deformities).”
  • “Could we schedule or review a foot exam if it hasn’t been done recently?”

Follow-Up:

  • “What is the next step once the form is signed—should I bring it to the shoe provider, or will your office send it?”
  • “Is there a nurse or care coordinator who helps patients with this paperwork?”

Closing:
 “Thank you for helping me get this paperwork in place so I can protect my feet.”

✅ Tips for Patients

  • Bring this script printed or on your phone.
  • Ask for a copy of the paperwork before you leave.
  • If delayed, follow up weekly with:


    “I’m checking in on the paperwork for my diabetic shoes—has it been signed or sent yet?”

Step 3: One-Minute Phone Script (Quick Option)

📞 Quick Phone Script

  • “Hi, this is [Your Name]. I need to get my diabetic shoes, and I was told the doctor needs to complete paperwork for insurance. Could you please help me with the form?”
  • If they ask what form:
    “It’s the Certificate of Medical Necessity, along with visit notes showing my diabetes and a foot exam.”
  • If exam is missing:
    “Can we schedule a quick visit so the doctor can document my foot health for the paperwork?”
  • Closing:
    “Thank you so much—I really want to get this done so I can protect my feet.”

✅ Use Tips

  • Read it slowly, word-for-word.
  • Write down the staff member’s name.
  • If no response in a week, call back and repeat.

Step 4: Medicare Timeframes (What You and Your Doctor Need to Know)

  • In-Person Exam with Your Diabetes Doctor: Must be within 6 months of shoe delivery.
  • Foot Exam (by podiatrist or other provider): Must also be within the same 6-month window.
  • CMN/SWO (Prescription + Medical Necessity Form): Must be signed and dated within 3 months of shoe delivery.
  • Annual Renewal: New paperwork is required every year — Medicare does not allow “carry-over” documentation.

⚠️ If the paperwork is late or outside these windows, Medicare/insurance will deny coverage.

Step 5: Send Paperwork to Us

Once your diabetes doctor has signed and confirmed everything:

Step 6: Schedule Your Appointment

Once paperwork is complete:

  • We’ll schedule your fitting and evaluation.
  • At your visit, we’ll confirm shoe size, style options, and comfort.
  • Shoes typically arrive within 2 weeks (insurance billing may take longer).

Resources for Doctors

To make the process easier for your doctor:

  • ✅ CMN + SWO form: ready to download Referral Portal
  • ✅ Document Generator / Foot Exam Tool: creates Medicare-compliant chart notes and foot exams
  • ✅ Fax support: (859) 545-4989

➡️ Let your doctor’s office know these tools are available so they don’t have to “reinvent the wheel.”

Quick Checklist

  • Diabetes doctor signed CMN/SWO within 3 months of shoe delivery
  • In-person exam within 6 months of shoe delivery
  • Foot exam notes included (or diabetes doctor agreed with podiatrist findings)
  • Paperwork faxed to (859) 545-4989 or uploaded via portal
  • Appointment scheduled

Helpful Links

📞 Fax: (859) 545-4989