Does Insurance Cover a Holistic Podiatrist?

Most insurance plans cover conventional podiatry services, such as X-rays, exams, and standard treatments. However, holistic podiatry—which includes regenerative therapies, nutritional IVs, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy—is often not covered by insurance. These services fall outside traditional insurance models because they go beyond symptom relief to actually repair and restore damaged tissue.

Key Points (Quick Take)

• Basic Podiatry = Often Covered: Insurance may cover diagnostic visits, imaging, and conventional treatments like orthotics or cortisone shots.
• Advanced Regenerative Therapies = Typically Not Covered: Services like prolotherapy, PRP, ozone injections, IV nutrition, and HBOT are considered “non-covered” by most insurance plans, despite growing scientific support.
• Holistic = Personalized: Insurance tends to reimburse one-size-fits-all treatments, not personalized, root-cause-based care plans.
• Out-of-Pocket, But Often Worth It: Patients often choose to self-pay for holistic care when conventional treatments haven’t resolved their pain or mobility issues—and they want to avoid surgery.

Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover It?

Holistic podiatry focuses on long-term healing and tissue regeneration. Many of the therapies offered are:

• Considered “alternative” or “complementary.”
• Not coded for reimbursement
• Not part of conventional treatment protocols—even when evidence supports their use

While this can be frustrating, it also gives you access to cutting-edge care without the red tape or rushed visits typical in insurance-driven systems.

What Are My Options?

Investing in Long-Term Relief

Many patients spend months (or years) in pain while bouncing between providers—trying orthotics, braces, injections, or surgery consultations. Holistic podiatry is different: it focuses on fixing the root problem using your body’s own healing systems.

If you’ve already tried insurance-covered treatments that didn’t work, investing in regenerative care could be a faster, safer path to long-term relief.

When To Seek Care Urgently

Call emergency services for sudden weakness or numbness, severe headache, vision loss, trouble speaking, chest pain, or other red-flag symptoms—these could indicate stroke or another emergency.

Sources (Authoritative Overviews)

Henning PR, Grear BJ. Platelet-rich plasma in the foot and ankle. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2018 Dec;11(4):616-623. doi: 10.1007/s12178-018-9522-z. PMID: 30259330; PMCID: PMC6220005.

Jiménez-Pérez AE, González-Arabio D, Díaz AS, Maderuelo JA, Ramos-Pascua LR. Clinical and imaging effects of corticosteroids and platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis: A comparative non randomized prospective study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2019 Jun;25(3):354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2018.01.005. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PMID: 30321976.

Rabago D, Patterson JJ, Mundt M, Kijowski R, Grettie J, Segal NA, Zgierska A. Dextrose prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Fam Med. 2013 May-Jun;11(3):229-37. doi: 10.1370/afm.1504. Erratum in: Ann Fam Med. 2013 Sep-Oct;11(5):480. PMID: 23690322; PMCID: PMC3659139.

Chung MW, Hsu CY, Chung WK, Lin YN. Effects of dextrose prolotherapy on tendinopathy, fasciopathy, and ligament injuries: fact or myth?: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Nov 13;99(46):e23201. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000023201. PMID: 33181700; PMCID: PMC7668443.

Yildiz KM, Guler H, Ogut H, Yildizgoren MT, Turhanoglu AD. A comparison between hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy and conventional physiotherapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Med Int (Lond). 2023 Aug 29;3(5):45. doi: 10.3892/mi.2023.105. PMID: 37745156; PMCID: PMC10514571.

Capotosto S, Nazemi AK, Komatsu DE, Penna J. Prolotherapy in the Treatment of Sports-Related Tendinopathies: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024 Nov 4;12(11):23259671241275087. doi: 10.1177/23259671241275087. PMID: 39502373; PMCID: PMC11536850.

How We Handle Insurance at Kim Foot & Ankle (Long Beach, CA)

At Kim Foot & Ankle, we offer both insurance-based and self-pay services.

• Covered Services: We’ll help you use your insurance for exams and any procedures that qualify under your plan.
• Regenerative & Holistic Services: Offered as elective, cash-based options and always discussed up front.

Dr. Don Kim, DPM, is committed to helping you understand your options and make the best decision for your health, not just your coverage.

Next Steps

• Book Your Consultation: With Dr. Don Kim, DPM — Kim Foot & Ankle, Long Beach, CA

Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Don Kim, DPM
Last Updated: October 23, 2025