Does medical insurance pay for orthotics?

Traditionally, insurance companies have not paid for orthotic devices,. even when I would send a letter describing the medical necessity and listing my only alternative treatment as surgical intervention. The insurance companies would respond that they would pay for the surgery but not conservative treatment with orthotics. This was hard for me to believe. Perhaps this is consistent with the fact that, for a long time and still today, most insurance companies did not pay for eyeglasses, even though the medical necessity of good vision is clearly understood.

Today, some of the insurance companies recognize the logic in treating conservatively with orthotics instead of surgically at a cost usually twenty times more. Unfortunately, even the 35 percent of the insurance companies that do pay for custom orthotics prescribed by a physician make it difficult to code and receive reimbursement. Even when they do pay, usually after they apply deductibles and Co-pays, the cost to the patient is usually greater than what we charge over the internet.

In a physician’s office, the actual charge for custom orthotics (CPT code # L3030 RT and L3030 LT) is between 350 and 600 dollars. On the internet, you can get two pair of custom theta-orthotics that are far superior to anything you can get from your doctor, for less than half the price.

Theta-Orthotics PO Box 1574 Riverton Ut. 84065