Insurance shouldn’t be confusing — but let’s be honest, it often is.
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we believe knowledge helps you make the best decisions for your care. Here’s a simple breakdown of how insurance really works when it comes to your foot and ankle treatment.
🎟️ 1. Co-Pay = Your Ticket In
Your co-pay is a fixed fee (for example, $30) you pay at the time of your visit.
Think of it as your entry ticket for today’s appointment.
👉 Most of the time, your co-pay does not count toward your deductible.
It simply covers a small portion of the visit cost that you’re responsible for upfront.
🕳️ 2. Deductible = The Black Hole
Your deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance starts to help with costs.
Until you meet your deductible, you’re responsible for 100% of covered charges — even if they’re listed as “covered” by your plan.
Example:
If your deductible is $5,000, you pay the first $5,000 of covered care yourself.
Once that’s filled, insurance starts to share the cost.
💡 Tip: Deductibles often reset every January — check your plan so you’re not surprised.
🤝 3. Co-Insurance = Splitting the Bill
After your deductible is met, your insurance company begins to share the cost of care.
This is called co-insurance — the percentage split between you and your insurance provider.
Example:
An 80/20 plan means your insurance pays 80%, and you pay 20%.
This continues until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, after which your insurance typically pays 100%.
📋 4. Covered vs. Non-Covered Services
✅ Covered Services (Benefits)
These apply to your deductible and co-insurance.
❌ Non-Covered Services
These are not paid for by insurance — even if they’re medically beneficial.
Common examples in podiatry include:
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Custom foot orthotics
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Shockwave therapy
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Laser therapy
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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
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Amniotic or stem cell therapy
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Certain advanced or new technology treatments
If it’s non-covered, you’re responsible for the full cost — but our team will always explain costs upfront so there are no surprises.
🦶 Why This Matters in Podiatry
Even if a service is listed as “covered,” you may still owe payment until your deductible is met.
And many of the advanced treatments that can get you back on your feet faster aren’t covered at all.
That’s why we always take time to review your benefits before treatment begins — so you can choose what’s right for your health, your goals, and your budget.
✅ Key Takeaways
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Co-pay = your entry ticket 🎟️
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Deductible = what you pay first 🕳️
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Co-insurance = splitting the bill 🤝
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Some services aren’t covered by insurance ❌
We’re Here to Help
Remember: your insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company.
Our job is to help you understand it — so you can make informed decisions about your care.
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we work 100% for our patients — not for insurance companies.
Have insurance questions?
Call your nearest Marvel Foot & Ankle Center or contact us online to speak with our team.
We’ll help you understand your benefits and make sure there are no surprises on your path to pain-free movement.