A lot of nail technicians are inquiring about major insurance companies covering pedicures, and I am here to say...just stop it! And here’s why.
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 and now only accepts cash payments. Why? Because insurance companies were cutting her reimbursement rates by nearly 80%, making it impossible for her to stay in business.
Now, let’s talk about nail technicians. Many are fortunate even to be riding the wave of HSA/FSA acceptance for medical pedicures. However, this is not a regulated service yet, which brings me to my next point. Myself, Janet McCormick, and other influential industry leaders—including physicians—have already begun working to establish official regulations. I’ll cover more on that in my next article.
But let’s talk solutions. Feet Are Your Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit I started, is stepping in to solve this problem for nail professionals. 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, 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. 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 more than welcome to create a successful process, but 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 or anyone providing health focused pedicures have been fortunate to accept HSA/FSA payments, changes are already happening. Some merchant services are allowing service providers to accept these payments with minimal barriers, while others are now requiring additional information, such as National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, to process transactions. This presents a major roadblock because nail professionals are not classified as physicians and do not qualify for NPI numbers unless using the Podiatrist they work under. This shift creates yet another unnecessary challenge, making it even clearer why relying on insurance or third-party approvals is not a sustainable solution.
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. And that’s exactly what Feet Are Your Foundation is doing.
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!
Comentários