The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a decision that all but denies coverage of treatments targeting amyloid for Alzheimer’s disease, including aducanumab, the first FDA-approved therapy to address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s disease.
New barriers to treatment
The CMS decision effectively denies Medicare coverage of FDA-approved medications for Alzheimer’s disease unless the person is enrolled in an approved clinical trial. This decision severely restricts the number of people who could benefit from treatments today, and as a result, restricts coverage of an entire class of potential future treatments designed to help those facing Alzheimer’s.
Medicare has always covered FDA-approved treatments for those living with other conditions like cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS. For CMS to treat those with Alzheimer’s disease differently than those with other diseases is unprecedented and unacceptable.
Alzheimer’s disease is a national crisis. With this approach, only the privileged few with access to clinical trials have access to treatment — a move that exacerbates and creates further health inequities among those who are already disproportionately impacted by this fatal disease.
We're here for you
The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) is available around the clock, 365 days a year. Through this free service, specialists and master’s-level clinicians offer confidential support and information to people living with dementia, caregivers, families and the public.
Listen to the real consequences of this decision for people living with Alzheimer’s.