Arthritis in Foot - Kaiser Won't Treat, Now What
I've got painful arthritis in one big toe and Kaiser no longer provides custom orthotics in house. I do feel like I need a pair (or two??), so welcome recommendations for podiatrists or similar professionals in the Bay Area (or is this a medical tourism opportunity??) I am also open to acupuncture or other treatments for pain relief in this localized area of the body and for that I'd look for a provider in the Hercules-Oakland corridor. Thanks!
Jun 28, 2025
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I am in a similar boat (Kaiser patient who needs custom orthotics), and I recently (January) had mine made by Jenny Yu at Bay Area Podiatry Group in San Leandro. (I think she recently opened a second office in Orinda). I paid out-of-pocket, and it was maybe $400 for the exam and one set of orthotics. Jenny really loves feet and taking care of them!
Hi,
I am actually getting kaiser to pay for custom orthotics right now through Kickstart Orthotics in Oakland. I think my rheumatologist was the one who authorized it. But before I knew Kaiser would pay, I went to Propel Foot and Ankle in Oakland, which I really liked. I paid out of pocket for that - it was maybe $500 and I was able to pay for it using my flex spending account. Good luck and I hope you find some relief!
I have had my orthotics custom made by Brian De Main at Howard Orhtopedics in Richmond. Years later they are still working well for me!
I never had the good fortune of Kaiser paying for my custom orthotics. Since 2008, I've been getting excellent orthotics from Maureen Lee DPM. Her office is in SF. I used to see her at Tang since she worked with UC Berkeley athletes in 2008. I don't remember when she stopped being at Berkeely, or maybe I started seeing her in SF after my student days were over.
Depending on your foot issues, I find you really want the orthotics made close enough to where you live. At least with my very unique foot issues that can change over time, I sometimes have to go back and she adjusts the orthotics for me.
https://www.hillphysicians.com/doctor/maureen-m-lee-dpm
I highly, highly recommend Dr. Jenny Sanders at Financial District Foot and Ankle Center. She's in SF, but hear me out... the office is very close to BART, and they always run 100% on time, so you can be sure of not wasting your efforts to get there. I am a Kaiser patient but have paid out of pocket to see Dr. Sanders a few times over the years; she is worth every penny. (And fwiw, for certain services, her out-of-pocket prices are only a hair more expensive than my Kaiser copays were. Go figure.) I saw her many years ago for orthotics to adjust my gait after developing knee issues. More recently, I saw her for plantar fasciitis and tarsal tunnel. I have multiple friends who have seen her for a variety of foot ailments; all are happy patients! Good luck sorting this out...