I also got orthoidic while in university. Most plans cover for both orthodic inserts (which I find make my low-cost payless cross trainers just as good as high-end shoes...) as well as a pair of orthodic shoes. The good news is that Birkinstock Co. makes custom orthodics, and I swear by mine... I've been having them repaired for years, and I'm excited about getting new ones this year now that I've got a plan again!! They are custom cut, and are great for walking in the summer- between the sandals and the inserts I'm covered. btw- I've got a high instep (high but fallen arches) so I find the thin plastic kind of inserts fit better in shoes- I already have huge feet so that along with the high instep would making finding shoes nigh impossible if I had those thick foamy inserts that others have. I think it's great that I can buy crappy but stylish payless shoes with no quality support, slide in my custom inserts and voila- the feel of a high-end shoe!

There's nothing old-lady about it... it's about taking care of your body and feeling/staying young, vibrant and energetic. Pain makes us old, not our shoes.