This legislation seeks to enhance access to crucial foot and ankle care for beneficiaries of federal health programs. It primarily achieves this by amending Title XIX of the Social Security Act to recognize doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians , thereby ensuring their services are covered under Medicaid. This change is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with an allowance for states requiring legislative action to implement the new requirements. Additionally, the bill addresses Medicare documentation requirements for therapeutic shoes provided to individuals with diabetes. It modifies Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify the criteria for covering extra-depth shoes with inserts or custom-molded shoes with inserts . Under the revised provisions, a physician must document specific conditions such as peripheral neuropathy or a history of foot ulceration, attest to the individual's diabetes diagnosis and comprehensive care plan, and confirm the necessity of the shoes. These modifications to Medicare coverage for diabetic footwear will apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028.