The Certifying Physician provides the medical care for the beneficiary's diabetic condition. The certifying physician must be an M.D. or D.O., and may not be a podiatrist. The certifying physician (i.e., the physician who manages the systemic diabetic condition) may not furnish the footwear unless he/she practices in a defined rural area or a defined health professional shortage area.
The Prescribing Physician actually writes the order for the therapeutic shoe, modifications and inserts. The prescribing physician may be a podiatrist, M.D, or D.O. The particular type of footwear (shoes, inserts, modifications), which is necessary, must be prescribed by a podiatrist or other qualified physician, knowledgeable in the fitting of diabetic shoes and inserts. The prescribing physician (podiatrist or other qualified physician) can be the supplier (i.e., the one who furnishes the footwear).
The Supplier is the person or entity that actually fits and furnishes the shoe, modification, and/or insert to the beneficiary and then bills Medicare. The supplier may be a podiatrist, pedorthist, orthotist, prosthetist, or other qualified individual.