S. 4070, called the "Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026," makes two main changes to federal health insurance programs. First, it expands Medicaid coverage to include physician services provided by podiatrists (doctors of podiatric medicine), ensuring that Medicaid beneficiaries can access foot and ankle care from these specialists starting January 1, 2026. Second, it simplifies Medicare's documentation requirements for diabetic shoes by allowing physicians (including podiatrists) to attest to a patient's diabetes diagnosis and need for therapeutic footwear, rather than requiring extensive detailed documentation, effective January 1, 2028. The bill primarily affects Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes or foot conditions, as well as podiatric physicians and shoe providers who serve these populations. States may have until their next legislative session to update their Medicaid plans to comply with the new requirements.
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