As of April 7, 2025, whether 3D foot scanners are included in the scope of medical insurance reimbursement needs to be comprehensively judged in combination with specific technology types and local policies. There is currently no clear policy for unified inclusion across the country:
I. Technology classification and current status of medical insurance coverage
1. Relevance to three-dimensional imaging technology
3D foot scanning technology may be classified as “three-dimensional imaging examination” or “auxiliary diagnosis and treatment project”. According to existing policies:
Inpatient scenario: If the examination is a diagnosis and treatment project during hospitalization and meets the requirements of the medical insurance catalog, it can be partially reimbursed (such as three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging examination can be included in medical insurance during hospitalization).
2. Outpatient scenario: The cost of three-dimensional imaging examinations in outpatient clinics is usually self-paid.
Similar technologies such as “three-dimensional reconstruction of the foot” are currently generally self-paid projects and are usually not covered by medical insurance.
3. Classification of medical devices
As a medical device, the reimbursement of 3D foot scanners must meet the requirements of the medical insurance consumables catalog. At present:
Individual medical insurance accounts can pay for some equipment and consumables (such as the newly added 32 common consumables), but do not explicitly include 3D foot scanning related equipment or services.
Personalized 3D printing preoperative models, surgical guides and other similar technologies have not yet established medical insurance charging codes or included in the payment scope in some regions (such as Guizhou).
2. Local policy differences and application requirements
1. Regional medical insurance catalog differences
There are regional differences in medical insurance reimbursement policies. For example, some provinces and cities have included assisted reproductive projects in medical insurance, but have not mentioned foot scanning technology.
It is necessary to check whether specific projects are included in the local catalog through the local medical insurance bureau (for example, Beijing only includes foot reflexology projects with clear therapeutic effects in medical insurance).
2. Application conditions and restrictions
If 3D foot scanning is identified as a “therapeutic project” and meets the medical insurance diagnosis and treatment catalog, it may be reimbursed through designated medical institutions.
It is necessary to meet the following requirements: operation in medical insurance designated institutions, compliance with medical insurance indications (such as diabetic foot risk assessment), and issuance of formal diagnosis and treatment receipts, etc.
III. Future trends and suggestions
Dynamic attention to policy updates
The medical insurance catalog is dynamically adjusted, and some innovative technologies may be gradually included in the pilot (such as assisted reproductive technology, which has been piloted in many places in recent years).
It is recommended to consult the local medical insurance department or medical institution regularly to obtain the latest reimbursement policies.
Self-funded and commercial insurance supplements
If reimbursement is currently unavailable, part of the cost can be covered by commercial medical insurance, or a packaged service from a designated medical insurance institution can be selected (such as a rehabilitation treatment package that includes scanning).
