The roughly $1.4 trillion year-end omnibus package recently signed into law by the president includes bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct outreach to healthcare practitioners around the services it provides for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
“It is imperative that those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families receive the resources they need, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available,” Sen. Collins said. “As the co-chair of the Senate Alzheimer’s Task Force, I will continue to support those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.”
Sen. Collins in March 2019 cosponsored the Improving Health, Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act, S. 880, with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The identical bill, H.R. 1873, was simultaneously introduced by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and Paul Tonka (D-NY) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Following efforts in 2015 by the lawmakers, CMS announced in November 2016 that Medicare would begin covering new care plans in 2017.
“Fortunately, following our advocacy, CMS implemented a new rule in 2018 that allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive a care planning session,” said Sen. Collins. “Our legislation will expand access to this service by increasing awareness of this policy change among physicians.”
The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to ensure more healthcare providers are aware of this benefit and to report back on rates of utilization and barriers to access, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.
The measure became law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133, which President Donald Trump signed into law on Dec. 27.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and more than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, according to Sen. Collins’ office.