The new wave of "pedicure insurance!"

A lot of nail technicians inquire about major insurance companies covering pedicures. I'm here to say that there is a new wave of what we can kind of call "pedicure insurance."

Insurance companies don't cover 'pedicures'

Not only has my experience in this field been a complete fail when dealing with insurance companies, but almost every physician I encounter says the same thing. Just last week, I had a meeting with a podiatrist who shared that she completely got rid of insurance. Now, she only accepts cash payments. Why? Because insurance companies were cutting her reimbursement rates by nearly 80%. This made it impossible for her to stay in business.

Currently Funding Status

Introducing a Pedicure Insurance Solution

Feet Are Your Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit I started, is stepping in to solve this problem for nail professionals and can possibly be the new wave of pedicure insurance. Rather than relying on failing insurance systems, our organization will provide service grants for trained medical pedicurists within the NuFeet Network. This means that clients who genuinely need medical pedicure services, but cannot afford them, will have access to financial assistance. They can receive help without the headache of dealing with insurance red tape.

This grant program will not only ensure that clients receive the foot care they need but also that medical pedicurists are compensated fairly for their expertise. There will be no more waiting months for insurance reimbursements that never come. No more slashing prices just to comply with what insurance is willing to pay.

I am sure that someone reading this article will still try to find a way to deal with insurance companies. They are welcome to create a successful process. However, after years of attempting to make it work for such a needed service, it has become clear that the nonprofit model makes more sense.

The Changing Landscape of HSA/FSA Acceptance

While medical pedicurists and anyone providing health-focused pedicures have been fortunate to accept HSA/FSA payments, changes are happening. Some merchant services now allow service providers to accept these payments with minimal barriers. Others, however, require additional information, such as National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, to process transactions.

This presents a major roadblock. Nail professionals are not classified as physicians and do not qualify for NPI numbers unless using the Podiatrist they work under. This shift creates unnecessary challenges, making it even clearer why relying on insurance or third-party approvals is not a sustainable solution.

Taking Charge of Our Industry

If we, as an industry, want to elevate medical pedicures and ensure fair compensation for our skills, we need to take matters into our own hands. That’s exactly what Feet Are Your Foundation is doing. This organization aims to provide education and support to help nail technicians thrive without the constraints of traditional insurance models.

In addition to our grant program, we plan to hold workshops and seminars. These sessions will educate nail technicians on best practices in medical pedicures, the importance of hygiene, and how to create a successful business model outside of insurance dependence.

Stay tuned for my next article, where I’ll break down how our newly formed organization, alongside some of the industry’s most respected leaders, is actively working to regulate medical pedicures and set new standards. Change is coming, and we’re leading the way!

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