Yes, Medicare offers coverage for orthotics under the durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. Medicare considers durable medical equipment (DME) to be equipment used for medical reasons in the home, to have a life expectancy of more than 3 years, and not to be useful to anyone not sick or injured.
Medicare lists the following devices as orthotics under the heading of DME –
- Ankle, foot and knee bracing
- Prosthetic devices such as artificial limbs and eyes
- Orthopedic shoes when they’re a necessary part of a leg brace
- Hand, wrist and elbow bracing
- Back, neck and spinal bracing