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Non-Covered Foot and Ankle Products - Footwear and Foot Orthoses
We carry custom foot orthotic and over-the-counter arch support/insole options for you at The Depot Store!
- Custom foot orthoses: We create prescription foot orthotics from plaster molds of your feet thorugh our custom orthotic service at the Depot Store. Read more below.
- Over-the-Counter (Non-Custom) Foot Orthoses: We carry several types of over-the-counter arch supports and insoles in The Depot Store: Superfeet OTC Orthoses, DPM cushioned insole / arch support, and ProLab PreFab Insoles. You can learn more about these items in The Depot Store Product Catalog.
- No referral is required for The Depot Store.
Custom Foot Orthoses:
We offer a custom foot orthotic service through the Depot Store. The service is overseen by the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, but custom foot orthoses are not covered by the health plan. No referral is required.
- Foot orthoses are not a covered benefit of the Kaiser Health Plan.
- Nevertheless, it may be determined that a custom orthotic might be beneficial for you, and a prescription written for you by one of the providers in the Kaiser Santa Rosa Foot and Ankle Surgery Department.
- Foot orthoses are intended to improve foot function, and by improving foot function assist the resolution of symptoms related to foot dysfunction.
- The benefit that foot orthoses provide is dependent on other factors including, but not limited to: duration of use each day, type and quality of footwear used with the orthoses, and calf flexibility.
- While foot orthoses are utilized to assist the resolution of symptoms related to foot dysfunction, there is no guarantee that they will accomplish this goal.
- Because foot orthoses change foot function, they may create new symptoms (although temporary) in some cases.
- Foot orthoses will not likely permanently change foot structure (for example – treating flat feet with orthoses will not likely result in a permanently restored arch).
- Follow-up assessment and management of your condition and of your orthoses, if needed, will be provided by the provider that wrote the prescription for the foot orthoses, rather than the provider that casts for and dispenses your orthoses.
- The price of our custom foot orthoses is significantly discounted, compared to $350-500 charged by private practioners and labs.
- There will be no refund of the cost of the orthoses.
Over-the-Counter (Non-Custom) Foot Orthoses:
We carry several types of over-the-counter arch supports and insoles in The Depot Store: Superfeet OTC Orthoses, DPM cushioned insole / arch support, and ProLab PreFab Insoles. You can learn more about these items in The Depot Store Product Catalog.
Ankle-Foot-Orthoses (AFOs):
AFOs are usually covered by the Health Plan, when prescribed by a doctor. AFOs are not made in the Foot and Ankle Surgery Department. Instead, an outside orthotics lab is contracted for these braces. Examples include drop foot AFOs, hinged AFOs, Ritchie braces, and Arizona Ankle braces (Gaunlet brace).
Footwear for Patients with Diabetes:
- A frequent footwear recommendation that we advise for patients with diabetes mellitus is the SAS brand Freetime model with DPM cushioned arch supports / insoles added. The SAS shoes can be purchased at a good shoe store. The DPM cushioned arch supports / insoles can be purchased at the The Depot Store located in the Kaiser Santa Rosa Stein Medical Building.
- Custom shoes with custom insoles and extra-depth shoes with custom insoles are not covered by the health plan, except for patients with diabetes mellitus that are at high risk for the development of foot ulcers. If you have diabetes, you can be screened by your primary care doctor to see if you might qualify for this benefit. If you do qualify, the service will be provided on our prescription to a non-Kaiser provider not employed by the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and Kaiser will pay for 80% of the cost of the footwear. If you do not qualify, you must pay full fee for service to an outside provider, should you wish this service.
Shoe Recommendations from the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine:
Websites of Recommended Santa Rosa Footwear Retailers:
Online Sources for Purchasing Footwear, Pads, or Supports/Braces:
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