High blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels, especially in your feet. That damage can reduce sensation, slow healing, and raise the risk of calluses, blisters, ulcers, infections, and in severe cases amputation. The good news is that daily foot care and steady diabetes management lower these risks, and most serious problems are preventable when caught early.
If you are managing neuropathy, you might not feel a cut, hot spot, or rubbing from a shoe. That is why a simple daily look at your feet and regular podiatry visits make such a difference. Consistent blood sugar control, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and tobacco cessation also protect your feet by improving circulation.
A podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle problems. For people with diabetes, podiatrists:
Check skin, nails, circulation, and sensation
Screen for neuropathy using simple in-office tools
Treat calluses, corns, thick toenails, and minor wounds
Identify deformities that increase pressure points
Prescribe offloading devices, inserts, and protective shoes
Coordinate with your primary care clinician, endocrinologist, diabetes educator, and wound care team
How often to go:
At least once a year if you have no current foot problems
Every 3 to 6 months if you have neuropathy, poor circulation, foot deformities, prior ulcer, or prior amputation
Immediately if you notice a new blister, open area, redness, drainage, warmth, swelling, foul odor, or black tissue
Many wound care centers include podiatrists on the team. If you already have a wound or high-risk changes, ask your clinician about referral to a wound clinic.
Daily foot care checklist
Use this short routine every day. It takes a few minutes and prevents most problems.
Look
Check the tops, soles, heels, and between toes
Use a mirror or ask someone to help if bending is hard
Watch for cuts, cracks, blisters, redness, hot spots, swelling, or drainage
Wash and dry
Wash with lukewarm water and mild soap
Pat dry, especially between toes
Moisturize
Apply a thin layer of lotion to tops and bottoms
Keep lotion away from between toes to prevent excess moisture
Nails
Trim straight across, then file edges
If nails are thick, curved, or hard to reach, have a podiatrist trim them
Protect
Always wear socks and shoes, even indoors
Shake out shoes before putting them on
Break in new shoes gradually
Position and activity
Change positions often to encourage circulation
Elevate feet when sitting if swelling occurs
Choose activities that are easy on feet, like walking on even surfaces or stationary cycling, as advised by your clinician
Footwear, diabetic shoes, and inserts
Well-fitting shoes reduce pressure and friction so you avoid hot spots and sores. Features to look for:
Roomy toe box that does not cramp your toes
Seamless or soft linings to reduce rubbing
Firm heel counter for stability
Cushioned, supportive insoles that can be removed and replaced
Low heels and slip-resistant soles
What are “extra-depth” or “therapeutic” shoes? These shoes have additional internal space to fit your foot, socks, plus protective inserts without crowding. The goal is to spread pressure more evenly and minimize rubbing that can lead to calluses, blisters, or ulcers.
Medicare coverage in brief
Many people with diabetes qualify for 1 pair of therapeutic shoes per calendar year
Coverage typically includes extra pairs of heat-molded or custom inserts
A certifying clinician and an eligible supplier are required, and documentation must show medical need
If you are unsure about your benefits, our advocates can review your plan and confirm which options are in network for you.
Warning signs and when to call right away
Contact your podiatrist or wound care center promptly if you notice:
New blister, cut, crack, sore, or open wound
Redness, warmth, swelling, or increasing pain
Drainage, odor, or black or blue discoloration
Fever or feeling unwell with any foot change
Sudden change in foot shape, arch collapse, or a “rocker-bottom” appearance
New numbness, tingling, or burning that is getting worse
Early evaluation prevents small issues from becoming serious infections. If you cannot get a same-day podiatry appointment and you see spreading redness, drainage, fever, or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent care.
How Understood Care advocates support your foot health
This section incorporates guidance from our video to show exactly how we help you take the next steps.
Finding an in-network podiatrist
We search your insurance directory for podiatrists and wound care centers near you
We make the calls and confirm accepting new patients, locations, and wait times
We share a short list of options and help you pick the best fit
Scheduling and reminders
We can call for you or with you to book the visit
We help you gather what the office needs, like referral notes or recent lab results
We set up reminders so you do not miss preventive care
Transportation
If your plan includes a ride benefit, we arrange it
If not, we help locate local transportation resources in your area
Insurance and benefits review
We verify whether podiatry visits are covered as part of your diabetes care
We check if you qualify for Medicare-covered therapeutic shoes and inserts and confirm in-network suppliers
We follow up with the provider if there is a question about coverage so you are not stuck in the middle
Care coordination
If blood sugars are running high, we help you connect with a dietitian or diabetes educator
If a wound is not improving, we facilitate a referral to a wound care center
We keep your care team on the same page
You should not have to navigate directories, hold times, or paperwork alone. Our team does the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing and prevention.
Preparing for your podiatry visit
Bring the following to your first or next appointment:
A list of your medicines, including over-the-counter and supplements
Your glucose logs or device reports if available
Your current shoes, socks, and any inserts
Questions you want answered, for example:
What is my foot risk level and how often should I follow up
Do I need therapeutic shoes, custom inserts, or offloading
Which daily care steps matter most for my feet
Should I see a wound care specialist, vascular specialist, or physical therapist
Practical tips if you have neuropathy
Set a daily reminder to check your feet at the same time each day
Keep a hand mirror near your chair to see your soles
Keep socks by your bed so you do not walk barefoot at night
Choose socks that are moisture-wicking with few seams
Store a small first aid kit at home for minor skin care, and call your podiatrist for guidance before self-treating any open area
We confirm podiatry is covered under your plan as part of diabetes care
We find in-network podiatrists and wound care centers, give you a clear list, and schedule the appointment for you if you like
We arrange transportation if your plan offers it or help locate local options
We check your benefits for diabetic shoes and inserts, then connect you with an in-network supplier
We coordinate with your care team, including dietitians and diabetes educators, so your blood sugar plan, footwear, and wound care all work together
We follow through so small trouble spots do not become open wounds
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a podiatrist if I already see my primary care clinician
Yes. Podiatrists focus on foot and ankle health every day and can spot pressure points, nail problems, and early skin changes before they become serious. For many people with diabetes, especially with neuropathy, a podiatry visit is preventive care that saves time, pain, and cost later.
How often will Medicare cover diabetic shoes and inserts
Most eligible beneficiaries can receive one pair of therapeutic shoes per calendar year plus additional pairs of inserts when medically necessary. Documentation and supplier requirements apply. Our advocates can help verify your benefits and connect you with in-network suppliers.
What kind of shoes should I buy if I do not qualify for therapeutic shoes
Look for a roomy toe box, soft or seamless lining, removable cushioned insole, and a supportive, stable heel. Avoid high heels and narrow or pointed toe boxes. Break in new shoes slowly and check your feet after each wear.
When should I go to a wound care center
If you have an open sore, signs of infection, a foot that is suddenly warm, red, and swollen, or a wound that is not getting better after a few days, you may need advanced care. Wound centers can provide offloading, debridement, antibiotics when needed, and other treatments.
I have numbness and do not feel pain. How can I tell if something is wrong
Look for visual changes like redness, swelling, shiny or tight skin, drainage on socks, cracks, or a new callus or blister. Check the temperature by comparing one foot to the other with the back of your hand. Any difference or new change is a reason to call.
What is Charcot foot
Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy is a condition where neuropathy leads to bone and joint changes in the foot. Early signs include warmth, redness, and swelling. It needs urgent evaluation and offloading to prevent deformity.
Can Understood Care help me schedule and get to appointments
Yes. We can search your insurance network, contact offices, schedule for you or with you, verify benefits, and arrange transportation if it is available through your plan. We also help coordinate referrals to wound care centers, dietitians, and other specialists.
