Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026

The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 aims to improve medical outcomes for patients with diabetes by increasing access to specialized foot care. Under current law, Medicaid does not always recognize podiatrists as "covered physicians," which can limit a patient's ability to see a foot specialist. This bill proposes to officially recognize doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians under the Medicaid program, ensuring that beneficiaries can access professional foot and ankle care more easily across the country.

Additionally, the legislation seeks to modernize the Medicare benefit for therapeutic shoes, which are often essential for preventing serious complications like ulcers or amputations. It proposes to reduce administrative "red tape" by replacing the current paper-heavy documentation process with a simplified framework. This would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to help fulfill the requirements for medical necessity, making it faster and easier for patients to receive the specialized footwear they need to manage their condition.