Billing and Coding: Foot Care

Medicare generally excludes routine foot care (shaving, paring, cutting, removal of corns/calluses) unless specific exceptions are met, primarily presence of listed systemic conditions or qualifying mycotic nail complications. Claims relying on systemic-condition exceptions require proper diagnosis coding (Group 1/2/3 as applicable), supporting medical records, appropriate Q modifiers (Q7/Q8/Q9), and—for certain asterisked diagnoses—evidence the patient was seen by an M.D. or D.O. within the prior 6 months; covered exceptions are limited to once every 60 days.

"Foot care services are covered when the beneficiary has a listed systemic condition that justifies coverage per Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Pub."

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