Your Feet Are Showing Warning Signs of Diabetes. Medi-Cal Covers Preventive Foot Care That Could Save Your Leg

Podiatry & Diabetic Foot Care

The Diabetic Foot Crisis Nobody Wants to Talk About

You have diabetes. Your feet are starting to tingle or go numb. You don't feel things like you used to. You have a cut on your foot that won't heal. You're scared.

If diabetic foot problems aren't caught early, they lead to infections, amputations, and loss of mobility. In California, diabetes is responsible for 10 amputations per day—most of them preventable with early intervention.

You need preventive foot care before problems become emergencies.

A doctor examines a patient’s feet for diabetic foot care, emphasizing the importance of early intervention to prevent complications.

Fact #1: One lower-limb amputation due to diabetes costs the healthcare system $30,000-$60,000 and devastates quality of life. Preventive podiatry services cost $500-$2,000 annually but prevent 80-90% of diabetic foot complications and amputations.

Here's what most Medi-Cal members with diabetes don't know: Your insurance covers comprehensive Podiatry Services—preventive foot care that identifies and treats problems before they become infections and amputations.

What Preventive Foot Care Includes

Comprehensive Foot Examinations:

• Visual inspection of feet and skin

• Assessment of sensation (ability to feel temperature, pressure, pain)

• Vascular assessment (adequate blood flow)

• Assessment of foot structure and deformities

• Screening for ulcers or early infection

Treatment Services:

• Treatment of calluses and corns (can become ulcers)

• Toenail care and management (ingrown nails, fungal nails)

• Foot ulcer treatment and wound care

• Infection prevention and treatment

• Structural assessment and correction

Preventive Support:

• Diabetic shoe prescriptions (specialized shoes that prevent pressure ulcers)

• Orthotics (custom insoles for proper support)

• Foot care education and hygiene guidance

• Footwear recommendations

• At-risk foot monitoring and follow-up

Referral & Coordination:

• Coordination with your primary care doctor and endocrinologist

• Referral to vascular surgery if circulation is compromised

• Emergency referral if infection or ulcer develops

Why Preventive Care Saves Limbs

Diabetes damages nerves and blood vessels in the feet. This means:

• Loss of sensation – You don't feel pain, temperature, or pressure

• Poor circulation – Wounds don't heal

• Increased infection risk – Small cuts become serious infections

• Amputation risk – Untreated infections lead to gangrene and amputation

Early intervention prevents every step of this cascade.

Fact #2: Research shows that people with diabetes who receive regular comprehensive foot care have amputation rates below 5%, while those without preventive foot care have amputation rates exceeding 20%—a 4-fold difference.

Who Qualifies for Diabetic Foot Care?

If you:

• Have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)

• Have Medi-Cal through Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin

• Have neuropathy (nerve damage or numbness) or vascular disease

• Have history of foot ulcers or previous amputation

• Or simply want preventive foot care as a diabetic

You qualify for podiatry services.

You don't need to have developed problems yet. Preventive care is the point—catch problems before they happen.

How Preventive Care Works

Typical Care Plan:

• Initial comprehensive foot examination

• 2-4 follow-up visits annually (depending on risk level)

• Continuous monitoring

• Early identification and treatment of problems

• Patient education about foot care at home

For high-risk feet or active ulcers, frequency increases and includes intensive wound management.

How Help Is Hope Connects You to Foot Care

Our care team helps Medi-Cal members with diabetes access preventive podiatry services through in-network providers.

If you have diabetes:

1. Complete our intake form and tell us about your diabetes and foot health

2. Our team connects you with podiatrists in our network

3. You receive comprehensive preventive foot care

4. We monitor for early problems and prevent complications

Learn more about how our Enhanced Care and Community Support services include diabetes management and preventive care coordination.

Your Feet Carry You Through Life

You deserve:

• Professional preventive foot care

• Early detection of problems

• Treatment before amputations become necessary

• Mobility and independence throughout your life

Book a session with our care team and let's schedule your comprehensive foot examination. Your Medi-Cal plan covers it. It costs you nothing.

Preventive foot care isn't cosmetic. It's amputation prevention. It's protecting your mobility and your quality of life.

Hope is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. Let us help you keep your feet healthy.