How Medicare Covers Alzheimer’s Disease Care
Short answer
Medicare can cover medically necessary Alzheimer’s evaluation and treatment, but Original Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care when custodial assistance is the only need.
Coverage
Part B can cover physician evaluation, eligible cognitive assessment and care planning, diagnostic services and medically necessary treatment. Other benefits may include covered drugs, therapy, hospital care and qualifying home health.
Not Automatic
Memory loss or an Alzheimer’s diagnosis does not create a general Medicare benefit for indefinite supervision, assisted living residence or custodial personal care.
Costs And Ma
Costs depend on the service. Medicare Advantage may offer supplemental benefits, but those are plan-specific and should never be described as universal Medicare benefits.
Practical Example
A cognitive assessment and care-planning visit may be covered under Part B, while room and board in a memory-care residence is not automatically covered by Medicare.
Questions to verify
- Is this medical treatment or custodial support?
- Does the service meet home-health or therapy requirements?
- Does my plan offer any current supplemental support?