Medicare Coverage Authorized for
Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
A tremendously
significant change in federal policy now permits Medicare coverage for
the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. No longer can
reimbursement for the costs of mental health services, hospice care or
home health care be routinely denied simply because a person has
Alzheimer’s.
Until now,
payments of medical claims were denied because it was assumed that the
nearly four million Americans having Alzheimer’s disease were incapable
of any medical improvement. Alzheimer’s patients were even denied
Medicare coverage for therapy to treat other conditions such as a stroke
or a broken hip. Although the disease is irreversible and incurable,
new studies show that Alzheimer’s patients can benefit from
psychotherapy, physical and occupational therapy and other services.
The new policy eliminates a major barrier to providing mental health
services to elderly people.
Late last year
this unpublicized policy change was sent from the government to Medicare
carriers who review and pay Medicare claims. The change is only now
being put into practice, but will have a huge effect on the lives of
people affected by Alzheimer’s.
Although the
cost of the policy change to Medicare is not known, it can be partially
offset by the fact that with more therapy and outpatient services, many
patients can delay nursing home care. By giving more patients the
opportunity to remain at home longer, costs that would otherwise be
borne by the government, patients or their families will be reduced. |
