Efforts led by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to expand access to Alzheimer’s disease assessment and treatment-planning resources took a step forward last week.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed covering care planning sessions under Medicare, which would effectively implement the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, S. 857, led by Capito and Collins.
“By allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive a care planning session, this proposed rule would provide essential support for newly-diagnosed individuals and their families who are facing Alzheimer’s,” Collins said. “I am pleased that CMS has recognized the importance of this benefit, which was one of the provisions in our HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. As the co-chair of the Senate Alzheimer’s Task Force, I will continue to work to ensure that Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers have the support they need.”
Capito, Collins and U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Edward Markey (D-MA) coauthored the HOPE Act, with 54 additional senators cosponsoring the measure.
“The news that care planning sessions for Alzheimer’s patients and their families will be covered under Medicare is a victory for those across West Virginia and the nation who are battling this devastating disease,” Capito said. “Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be very overwhelming, and this provision will provide patients and their caretakers with the information they need to make informed decisions about treatment options.”
The HOPE Act was designed to encourage doctors to provide a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment plans and available community services.