Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill officially recognizes podiatrists (foot doctors) as physicians under Medicaid, giving diabetes patients easier access to specialized foot and ankle care without navigating extra bureaucratic hurdles.
• The bill simplifies Medicare documentation for diabetic shoes by letting any physician (including podiatrists) document a patient's foot health conditions and certify their need for therapeutic footwear, rather than requiring separate certifications from different providers.
• The Medicaid changes would apply to services starting in 2026, but states that need to pass their own laws get extra time — until the end of the next regular legislative session after enactment.
• The updated Medicare rules for therapeutic diabetic shoes — including extra-depth shoes with inserts and custom molded shoes — would take effect on January 1, 2028.
• The bill is bipartisan, introduced by Sens. Young and Warnock, and aims to prevent serious complications like foot ulcers, infections, and amputations that are common among people with diabetes.