Some members of Congress are taking an interest in the need to provide care planning services for patients who have Alzheimers’ dementia. This proposal could be of tremendous benefit to patients and their family caregivers. S. 857 was introduced March 25, 2015 and referred to the Senate Finance Committee because it deals with a Medicare benefit. The title is “A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under the Medicare program of an initial comprehensive care plan for Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and for other purposes.”
The bill is considered a high priority of the Alzheimers’ Assocation and may be of interest to you if you are newly diagnosed with this disease or if you are a family caregiver.
The Alzheimers Reading Room — which I find to be quite an interesting website – describes the bill as follows:
- “The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act will ensure newly diagnosed Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers receive comprehensive care planning services and will require their diagnosis to be documented in their medical record.
- “Although Medicare already provides coverage of Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic services, it currently does not provide coverage for comprehensive care planning following a diagnosis.
- “The Act, if passed, will also help inform health care providers about what steps should be taken following a diagnosis, which will enhance assistance for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.”
If you are a family caregiver and this bill is of interest to you, you may want to contact your Congressional and Senate Representatives.
We represent Alzheimers patients and their caregivers in a wide array of legal matters concerning disability, capacity, Medicaid, trusts and long term care … call for appointment 732-382-6070