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Important reminder:  Qualifying people with diabetes only have a few weeks left to order shoes for Medicare/insurance coverage within the 2018 calendar year. Click here or call 1-866-923-2423 to fill out an application for coverage today.

What does “calendar year” mean in Medicare or insurance terminology?

When someone orders diabetic shoes covered by Medicare or insurance, they may see the term “CY” or “Calendar Year” listed beside the coverage (see below image). But, what does that really mean?

In insurance and Medicare terminology, “calendar year” applies to the period between January and December of any given year. That means a covered individual can order one pair of shoes and three sets of inserts at any time in 2018, then again anytime in 2019, and again in 2020…any month within each year, as long as a doctor deems them medically necessary.

This is slightly different than having shoes covered once every 12 months because it is less restrictive – a claimant does not necessarily have to wait 12 months to get their next pair, so long as they are in the next calendar year. For example, a person could order a pair of diabetic shoes in November 2018, then get another pair in March 2019, and get their next pair in January 2020. This provides some freedom for people order shoes when they need them, rather than having to make them last for 12 months each time. This is a good thing, because diabetics should wear their therapeutic  shoes and inserts every day and may want new ones sooner than expected!

Don’t leave a diabetic shoe order to the last minute – order before the end of November!

Many people choose to order their diabetic shoes from nocostshoes.com at the end of the year. This can be strategic – those who get shoes in October or November have to wait less time to order their next pair of Medicare-covered shoes, since their coverage restarts again in January. Other times, it’s less about strategy and more the result of forgetting or putting off ordering until the end of the year.

Whatever the reason, waiting until October or November to place an order is a common choice, but ordering any later than that may place the order in the next calendar year. Why? Because there are several steps required to obtain Medicare coverage, all of which need to be completed within the calendar year (in this case, 2018) in order to finalize the claim.

For those who place an order for shoes after mid-December will have their order shipped and billed in January. As a result, their final Medicare claim will fall under the following calendar year.

Tips for remembering to order diabetic shoes

Remembering to order diabetic shoes during each calendar year isn’t just a smart choice financially – it is also critical for health and well-being. But, how can qualifying diabetic Americans remember to order a pair each year? Here are some of the things our customers do to keep this coverage top-of-mind:

• Book regular appointments with a family doctor and ask them to make a note of the need for shoes each year. To access diabetic shoes covered by Medicare and/or insurance, people with diabetes need paperwork filled out by their doctors. That’s why many people who need diabetic shoes ask their family doctor to make a note on their charts about the need for this equipment each year. People who need these shoes should already have regular appointments booked in advance, so it’s easy to ask the office to note that this appointment should involve discussion of diabetic shoes. Also, when noting the appointment in one’s own calendar, be sure to add a note about diabetic shoes.
• Order shoes right after a doctor’s appointment. Of course, a reminder from the doctor doesn’t mean much if it isn’t followed by action. Those who make a routine of ordering shoes right after a regular checkup each year may find it easier to remember this important order.
• Ask a podiatrist if it’s time for new shoes. Those who are better able to remember deadlines can also be strategic about their order by asking their podiatrist during a Medicare-covered appointment to whether their inserts/shoes are due for a replacement. If they say no, it may be wise to wait until later in the year (September – early November) to order shoes. If they say yes, of course, order them ASAP!
• Tell a few loved ones about the deadline. It might be tough to remember the application deadline on one’s own, but telling a spouse, caregiver, and children about it as well will increase the likelihood someone will remember.
• Write it down. Of course, the best advice is often the simplest – make a note in a calendar and stick to it! For those who do better with routine, picking a month each year to make an order is the best option.