Can I claim this on Medicare?

If your GP has set up a chronic disease management plan, you can claim up to five allied health visits a year, and podiatry counts. Your GP arranges the referral.

My feet feel fine. Do I still need it?

Yes, and that is the point. Reduced sensation means the foot stops reporting problems. Feeling fine is not the same as being fine.

Diabetic foot checks, done properly, at home

If you have diabetes, your feet need checking whether or not anything hurts. Nerve damage removes the warning system, so problems are often found by looking rather than by feeling them.

If you already have a wound, start somewhere else

An open wound, an ulcer or a sore that is not healing needs more than a home visit. See your own doctor, or go to your local emergency department if it looks infected or you feel unwell. A wound like that is best managed by the high risk foot clinic — an outpatient service run out of the hospital, with dressings, imaging and antibiotics behind it — and your doctor can refer you there. Once it has healed, we are glad to take over your ongoing foot care at home. This is not us passing you on; it is the setting the problem actually needs.

What the check involves

Pulses and circulation, sensation tested with a monofilament, skin and nail condition, footwear, and any pressure areas that could become ulcers. You finish with a clear answer on your risk level and what to watch for.

Why the nails matter

In a foot with reduced sensation, a nick from home nail cutting can become an ulcer without ever hurting. Safe nail care is a large part of why regular podiatry is recommended for people with diabetes.

How often

Annually if your risk is low, every three to six months if there is nerve damage, poor circulation or a history of ulceration. We will tell you which applies and why.

Common questions

Can I claim this on Medicare?: If your GP has set up a chronic disease management plan, you can claim up to five allied health visits a year, and podiatry counts. Your GP arranges the referral.
My feet feel fine. Do I still need it?: Yes, and that is the point. Reduced sensation means the foot stops reporting problems. Feeling fine is not the same as being fine.