If you have developed loss of sensation due to diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy), now Medicare will cover foot exams every six months.

Proper foot care is vitally important to people with diabetes. Nerve damage reduces sensation in your feet. That means you could have an injury or problem on your foot that needs medical attention without even knowing it. Small injuries can become infected and lead to serious complications. Foot ulcers and non-healing infections are the primary cause of amputation in people with diabetes.

With proper foot care, however, problems can be caught early and treated effectively. Everyone with diabetes should have a foot exam at least once a year, and people with neuropathy should have a complete foot exam twice a year. That is what Medicare and Medicaid now cover.

Related information: Special issues - Foot Care | My Diabetes Checklist