Podiatry Question:

What typical procedures does a podiatrist perform to correct heel pain
and how much does the doctor get reimbursed by the insurance company
for these typical procedures?

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Clarification of Question by jimwalden-ga on 09 Jul 2004 17:09 PDT

I'm curious first on Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels for
different courses of treatment.

What I want to know in essence is if a person has heel pain and they
go to the doctor for 3 or 4 months (a couple of visits) how much is
the doctor able to get reimbursed from Medicare?

There is no one dollar number since different treatments will charge
different amounts.  But I'm hoping that you can find an approximation,
an average.

Something like "the average patient goes about six times in four
months and the doctor get $500." -- which I am making up completely.
 
This one's hard.  Nobody likes to give averages. I'd be keen to know
is it $250 or $500 or $1,000.  Even a ball park is helpful.

Thank you!

hey...i'm not a researcher....just adding a comment.  I broke my heel
last year in 2 and had 2 screws put in....the pain was horrible, even
after all was "healed".
After lots of Dr's and therapy they sent me to a pain management
clinic where they did a "nerve block"....not really sure what was in
the stuff...but basicly injected the heal with steroids (or some
concoction).  He said that the pain could go and never come back or
not...may need more.  Well...thankfully....the one did it....i
wouldn't call it pain anymore...sort of just awareness....i'm aware of
the heel and still feel the screws, but not pain.  This may not help
you or enlighten you at all...if thats the case..i apologize....and
just ignore.  8-)

I am not a researcher either: I have found aspercreme (over the
counter, only a tiny ammount) reduces mild heel pain. The payment to
the pediatest varies widely with your city and from one insurance
company to another. The diognosis will determine the treatment and the
fee. In some cases, some doctors lie to the insurance company to get a
bigger fee.   Neil