Capito, Collins introduce bill to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s services

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have cosponsored legislation aimed at helping more patients newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease become aware they can access care planning and other services under Medicare.

The bipartisan Improving Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, S. 880, was introduced by Sens. Capito and Collins along with lead sponsor Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) on March 26.

The bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct outreach to health care practitioners about a variety of Alzheimer’s disease care services and benefits, including education initiatives, diagnostic evaluations, and materials that explain eligibility requirements. HHS would then report on the rates of utilization of the services and barriers to access.

Medicare has been covering Alzheimer’s care plans for newly diagnosed patients since 2017, a move that followed the introduction of legislation in 2015 by Sens. Capito, Collins, and Stabenow known as the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act.

However, in 2017, less than one percent of seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s received the care planning benefit created by the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, according to Sen. Capito’s office.

“While these comprehensive care plans are helping many men and women, they have the potential to help so many more,” Sen. Capito said. “That’s why we are once again joining together to introduce the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, which will help ensure physicians are aware they are able to assist their patients in this way and look at any barriers that might be preventing Medicare beneficiaries from accessing these services.”

More than 16 million people provide unpaid care for those living with Alzheimer’s, according to Sen. Capito’s office, which noted that Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.