WASHINGTON, D.C., August 16, 2017 - Today, the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) are applauding the Department of Defense's announcement that TRICARE, a health care plan for uniformed service members and their families, will now cover care planning for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. This decision comes after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began covering, through Medicare, care planning for people with cognitive impairments in January.
The effort to ensure TRICARE covered this critical service was led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The Senators were the lead sponsors of the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, legislation endorsed and advocated for strongly by the Alzheimer's Association and AIM. Following a diagnosis, care planning is crucial to improving outcomes and maintaining quality of life for the diagnosed and their caregivers, as well as controlling costs and planning appropriately for the future.
"For too long there has been a critical gap in care and support, with individuals unable to receive necessary diagnosis and care planning support from care providers," said Alzheimer's Association and AIM President and CEO Harry Johns. "We applaud Senator Stabenow and her Senate colleagues for their leadership, ensuring service members, veterans and their families have access to the care planning services."
Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. What's more, over 85 percent of people with Alzheimer's and other dementias have one or more other chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. Care planning is critical for coordinating care and managing chronic conditions.
The inclusion of care planning coverage through TRICARE will encourage doctors to diagnose and share diagnoses with those living with Alzheimer's and their families, and to provide helpful information about treatment options and medical and community services. Today, anyone on TRICARE or Medicare has access to care planning services outlined in the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act. The Alzheimer's Association, AIM and its network of grassroots advocates and staff held thousands of congressional meetings to secure support for the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act.
Alzheimer's Association ®
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit alz.org.
