North Carolina State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2014, language was included in North Carolina’s budget bill, Senate Bill 744, calling for the development of a state Alzheimer’s plan. In March 2015, the North Carolina Institute of Medicine convened a Task Force to develop an Alzheimer’s disease strategic plan at the direction of the state’s department of health. The Task Force included health care providers, advocates and other stakeholders who worked together to determine the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the state. Dementia-Capable North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Addressing Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias was published in March 2016.
North Carolina 2025 Policy Priorities
Insurance Coverage for Biomarker Testing
With the historic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in the early stages, early detection and diagnosis are even more critical to ensure individuals receive the most benefit at the earliest point possible. Biomarkers offer one of the most promising paths to improve dementia detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Yet these critical tests remain out of reach for many as insurance coverage fails to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. Without this legislation, dementia diagnoses may take up to two years, increasing the long-term costs to the individual, family, and the state.
Increase Respite Funding to Project C.A.R.E.
More than 378,000 caregivers in North Carolina provided 723 million hours of unpaid care in 2024, often enabling their loved ones living with dementia to live in the community instead of moving into more costly residential long-term care. Current state funding is inadequate to meet the existing needs of dementia caregivers, and this shortfall will only grow as the dementia population continues to increase in North Carolina. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to increase funding to $2 million for the state’s only dementia-specific respite program, Project C.A.R.E. This funding increase will allow the program to expand by adding additional host sites and respite care grants for caregivers.
Medicaid Reimbursement for Care Planning and Cognitive Assessments
Early intervention can provide individuals living with dementia more time to plan for the future, adopt lifestyle changes, participate in clinical trials, and live more fully with a higher quality of life for as long as possible. Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina have access to a billing code that covers cognitive assessments and care planning. However, those on Medicaid do not have access to this critical service. With current promising treatments only effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, getting an early diagnosis is more important than ever. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to establish a pathway for reimbursement on Medicaid with CPT Billing Code 99483, which would reimburse providers for care planning and cognitive assessments for patients not enrolled in Medicare.
Creation of a Dementia Dashboard
Regular collection of dementia-specific data is critical to analyzing trends over time. Through data collection and analysis, public health officials and state lawmakers can better understand the extent and impact of Alzheimer’s and other dementia on their state. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on North Carolina policymakers to create a Dementia Data Dashboard within NC Detect, North Carolina’s statewide syndromic surveillance system.
North Carolina State Advocacy Day
Join us on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 to turn the state capitol purple for Alzheimer’s! North Carolina Alzheimer's Advocacy Day is designed to move legislators to action on Alzheimer's and dementia policy that will improve the lives of North Carolina families impacted by the growing burden of Alzheimer's — your unique voice is more important than ever this year!
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in North Carolina
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
210,500
people living with Alzheimer’s in North Carolina
373,000
North Carolinians are providing unpaid care
$1.3 Billion
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
147%
increase in Alzheimer’s deaths 2000-2021
17%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
238.6%
increase of geriatricians in North Carolina needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in North Carolina
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how North Carolina policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.