This isn't a subject I generally take note of but, it bothers me. Getting my haircut today I witnessed a representative of an adjacent podiatry office ask the salon manager if they could now refer patients to them to have their toe nails cut. What? She said a recent change in medicare coverage had eliminated that claim benefit. In a related story, my wife once temped at one of our relative's podiatry office. One of the gross things she told me about was how people regularly come in just to have their toe nails clipped because they're generally old and don't have the flexibility anymore. Okay, that's kind of gross, but it made perfect sense and is a noble and menial little service podiatrists provide(d). So, after over-hearing that business exchange today it made me think of how sad it is that something as simple and humane as clipping toe nails is no longer covered. How difficult and expensive is that service anyway? It's probably one of the few services that actually creates a doctor/patient bond. I guess this points to the larger budget problems being confronted these days. But, come on! Is this where budget cuts start? Maybe those cliche' political arguments about placing debt burdens on the most vulnerable are actually valid (not that I don't believe that to be true). For a little equilibrium, at least put an end to those Bush tax breaks for the wealthy who wouldn't actually feel the impact in same the way elderly people with gnarly toe nails will. For the record, I don't know the extent of this footcare change. It might have just been a 'Blue Cross' policy change. I don't know if it's a national thing or a state thing. And, I couldn't find any headlines regarding it. But, what I heard directly from this representative who walked in was clear as a bell: it was no longer covered.
