How Much Does Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Cost With Insurance?
Quick Answer
Most patients with insurance pay between $50 and $300 total out-of-pocket for complete plantar fasciitis treatment. This typically covers your initial diagnostic visit ($20-$50 copay), custom orthotics ($50-$200 copay), and any follow-up appointments.
The actual cost depends on your specific insurance plan, deductible status, and which treatments your podiatrist recommends.
At DMV Foot & Ankle in Washington, DC, we accept most major insurance plans and work with patients to maximize their benefits. Our team verifies your coverage before your appointment so you know exactly what to expect.
What Does Insurance Typically Cover for Plantar Fasciitis?
Most health insurance plans—including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna—cover medically necessary plantar fasciitis treatment. Here's what you can generally expect:
Covered Services (Standard with Most Plans)
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Diagnostic Visits and Examinations Your initial evaluation with a podiatrist is almost always covered as a specialist visit. You'll pay your standard specialist copay, typically $20-$50 depending on your plan.
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X-Rays and Imaging Diagnostic imaging to rule out stress fractures, heel spurs, or other conditions is covered under most plans. These are usually billed separately from your office visit, with costs applied to your deductible or covered at your plan's imaging rate.
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Custom Orthotics (Prescription Foot Supports) Medicare and most private insurers cover custom orthotics when prescribed by a podiatrist for a diagnosed condition like plantar fasciitis. Typical patient responsibility ranges from $50-$200 depending on your plan's durable medical equipment (DME) benefits.
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Physical Therapy If your treatment plan includes physical therapy, most plans cover a set number of sessions per year. Copays typically range from $20-$50 per session.
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Corticosteroid Injections When conservative treatments haven't provided relief, steroid injections are covered as an in-office procedure. These are typically billed as part of your office visit with minimal additional cost.
Treatment Cost Breakdown by Service
What If My Insurance Doesn't Cover Certain Treatments?
Some advanced treatments for chronic or severe plantar fasciitis may have limited coverage:
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Laser Therapy (Class IV Laser) While highly effective for reducing inflammation and accelerating healing, laser therapy coverage varies significantly by plan. Some insurers cover it for chronic conditions, while others consider it investigational. At DMV Foot & Ankle, laser therapy sessions typically cost $1000 per limb or $1500 if including both limbs, this is included in all session.
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Regenerative Medicine Treatments Peptide therapy, stem cell products, and fat pad allografts—which Dr. Mattia specializes in—are typically not covered by insurance. However, many patients find the investment worthwhile for avoiding surgery. We offer payment plans for these advanced treatments.
How to Maximize Your Insurance Benefits
Before Your Appointment
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Call your insurance company and ask specifically about podiatry benefits, custom orthotic coverage, and any referral requirements.
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Understand your deductible status. If you haven't met your annual deductible, you'll pay more out-of-pocket initially.
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Ask about in-network providers. Seeing an in-network podiatrist significantly reduces your costs.
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Request a benefits summary for durable medical equipment (DME), which covers orthotics.
At DMV Foot & Ankle
Our insurance verification team handles the heavy lifting:
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We assist in verifying your benefits
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We provide cost estimates upfront so there are no surprises
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We submit prior authorizations when required
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We appeal denied claims on your behalf when appropriate
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We offer payment plans for treatments not covered by insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover plantar fasciitis treatment?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary podiatric services for plantar fasciitis, including diagnostic visits, X-rays, custom orthotics, physical therapy, and injections. You'll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after meeting your Part B deductible.
Do I need a referral to see a podiatrist?
It depends on your plan. Most PPO plans don't require referrals for specialists. HMO plans typically require a referral from your primary care physician. We recommend calling your insurance to confirm before scheduling.
Are custom orthotics worth the cost?
Clinical studies show custom orthotics have an 85% success rate for plantar fasciitis treatment. Compared to over-the-counter insoles ($20-$50 that may need frequent replacement), prescription orthotics ($50-$200 copay with insurance) last 2-5 years and provide precisely calibrated support for your specific foot structure.
What if I have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)?
With an HDHP, you'll pay full price for services until meeting your deductible. However, you can use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds for all plantar fasciitis treatments, including those not typically covered by insurance.
How much does plantar fasciitis treatment cost without insurance?
Without insurance, expect to pay $150-$300 for an initial consultation, $300-$600 for custom orthotics, and $100-$200 per physical therapy session. However, most practices (including ours) offer self-pay discounts and payment plans.
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Why Choose DMV Foot & Ankle for Your Treatment?
Dr. Alex S. Mattia is dual board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM)—credentials held by a small percentage of podiatrists. His training at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital combined with certification in Regenerative Podiatric Medicine means you receive access to both traditional and cutting-edge treatment options.
Our Conservative-First Approach We exhaust all non-surgical options before considering surgery. In fact, 85-90% of our plantar fasciitis patients achieve complete pain resolution without surgical intervention.
Insurance-Friendly Practice We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance plans. Our team verifies your benefits and provides cost estimates before treatment begins.
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to get relief from plantar fasciitis? Contact DMV Foot & Ankle to schedule your evaluation. We'll verify your insurance benefits and provide a cost estimate before your appointment.
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DMV Foot & Ankle 106 Irving St NW Ste 402 Washington, DC 20010
Phone: 202-726-1800
Email: care@dmvfoot.com
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday: 7:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Please consult with Dr. Mattia to determine if laser therapy is appropriate for your specific condition.
About the Author: Dr. Alex Mattia, DPM, is a dual board-certified podiatrist specializing in advanced foot and ankle care at DMV Foot & Ankle in Washington, DC. He completed his surgical residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center, and holds certifications from both the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.