Custom orthotics are like glasses for your feet. Whether you suffer from plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or flat feet, custom orthotics can be a godsend. Typically, custom orthotics are made and bought at the Podiatrist’s office. However, physical therapists and pedorthoists do custom orthotics as well. The greatest variant in custom orthotics is the cost. They can very from as low as $200 to as much as $600-$700 for a pair.
Now to clarify, we are not talking about Dr. Scholls or Power Step orthotics, which can be purchased at WalMart or any pharmacy. Typically, these cost about $20-$30. It is always a good idea to try these orthotics first before trying on a pair of custom orthotics.
It is true in some cases insurances will cover custom orthotics for certain conditions. However, that is becoming rarer these days. You should check with your insurance company to see if they cover orthotics before seeing the Podiatrist, or have the Podiatrist check first. Before you are casted or scanned for orthotics, you need to ask the Podiatrist how much they cost or you risk being stuck with a huge bill.
Now to clarify, not all custom orthotics are created equal. The way your podiatrist creates your orthotics goes a long way to whether you are getting a quality orthotic or not. What happens when making orthotics, is the Podiatrist creates a cast or imprint of your foot which he sends to the orthotic lab to generae your orthotics. The key in the process is how the Podiatrist takes an imprint or impression of your foot, and there are three main ways Podiatrist perform this function.
The first way is with a foam box. This is the least effective treatment method, but the fastest and easiest method to get an impression. Some Podiatrists charge as much as $250-$300 for this. That is a rip off. You can actually do this method yourself for only $95
A fair price for the biofoam would be about $130-$180 anywhere in that range. The Podiatrist will most likely make a better impression than you and will send it to perhaps a better and more expensive lab.
The second method is via a gait scan, where you walk on a computer generated pad which will generate an orthotic based on the computer readings. This is similar to Dr. Scholl’s gait scans in WalMart. However, this will generate a superior orthotic than the Dr. Scholl’s method. The technology in this area is primitive but improving. A fair price for this orthotic will be about $200-$300.
The third method and by far the superior method for casting for orthotics is actually physically making a cast of your foot with plaster. This method is time intensive, but delivers a superior results. If a Podiatrist performs this method you can be sure that this Podiatrist knows what he is doing and takes pride in his work. A fair price for these orthotics is in the $300-$450 range. You should never ever pay more then $450 for an orthotic. No such pair exists on earth that is worth that much. That is easily a 350% mark up being done by whomever has taken the cast of your foot. I hope this article has educated you on costs that should be paid for custom orthotics.