Spread Dementia Awareness Across Texas 

During the past two biennium, the Texas legislature increased its commitment to Alzheimer’s care and support by appropriating $2.75 million per year to the Alzheimer’s Disease Program (ADP) within the Texas Department of Health Services (DSHS).  The ADP works to provide substantial support for Texans affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to support an investment of $20 million over the biennium for Alzheimer’s care and support at the Texas Department of Health Services with an emphasis on increasing the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia and enhancing dementia care collaboration among health systems in Texas.

Medicaid Reimbursement for Care Planning and Cognitive Assessments

Only 33% of Texans living with Alzheimer’s are aware they have the disease. 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 Texas have access to a billing code that covers cognitive assessments and care planning. However, individuals under 65 relying 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.