New Health Plan Benefit: Custom Orthotics for Foot Pain

(This article appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

Do you suffer from foot pain? Do you come home from work with sore and tired feet? Painful and sore feet are especially common symptoms for those who work and stand on their feet all day without proper support and relief.

As postal workers, you may feel the serious impact that standing while working can have on your feet. If you feel that custom orthotics might be the answer, then it is time to get excited about your 2026 APWU Health Plan benefits! New for 2026, members have a $200 benefit that can be used toward custom foot orthotics when they are prescribed by a podiatrist. Our members spoke and we listened, adding this benefit designed especially for Postal employees and retirees – for both High Option and Consumer Driven Option members.

What are orthotics?

Foot orthotics are helpful because they support and realign the foot, correct gait issues, and redistribute pressure, which relieves pain from conditions like plan-tar fasciitis, bunions, arthritis, and diabetic neuropathy. They work by absorbing shock, improving joint alignment, and providing extra cushioning, leading to better overall foot function, enhanced athletic performance, and reduced risk of injury, essentially helping your feet function more efficiently and comfortably.

What does an orthotic do?

Your podiatrist may recommend orthotic devices for several reasons, including to:

• Align and support your feet and ankles.
• Prevent and treat foot deformities.
• Improve the overall functioning of your foot and ankle.

For example, you can insert an arch support on the inside of your shoe to help support a flat foot. Supporting flat feet can help prevent foot tendonitis. Or you may use a heel cushion to help absorb the impact and relieve stress when you walk on your heel.

Custom orthotics

Custom orthotics are specially made devices that your podiatrist designs to cushion and support your feet. You can get some custom orthotics like full-shoe inserts. Others are available that support just your heels.

Your podiatrist will craft a pair of prescription orthotics that precisely match the contours of your feet. They will design them to work with the way your feet and ankles move. To construct your custom orthotics, your podiatrist will either make a plaster mold of your feet, have you step in a foam box that takes an impression of your foot, or use a computerized foot analysis to create a 3D image of them.

There are two main kinds of custom orthotics:

• Functional: Functional orthotics are made of a semi-rigid material like graphite, carbon fiber, or plastic. They help reduce pain and discomfort by controlling the way your foot moves. You may also use this type of orthotic to treat injuries like shin splints.
• Accommodative: Accommodative orthotics are made of soft, flexible materials. This lets them mold to the shape of your feet and provide support and cushioning. This type of orthotic is helpful for treating health conditions like diabetes-related foot ulcers.

Custom orthotics are more expensive than shoe inserts that you can buy in stores, But they last much longer and provide better cushioning and support for your feet.