Your Views for May 3

Medicare and Alzheimer’s

Today, more than 3,000 Big Island residents are living with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is fatal, and is the only leading cause of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Given the many challenges associated with the disease, appropriate care planning is essential.

For too long, access to care planning — and even diagnosis — was limited.

Thankfully, as of January, Medicare now covers critical care planning for people with cognitive impairments, including those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Medicare now provides reimbursement for a clinical visit that results in a comprehensive care plan, allowing clinicians to develop a care plan and identify appropriate community support services that can contribute to a higher quality of life.

To assist primary care physicians, the Alzheimer’s Association launched the Cognitive Impairment Care Planning Toolkit.

Through the Toolkit, the Alzheimer’s Association is providing critical resources to ensure eligible care providers are aware not just of the new code, but also of the best way to conduct a proper evaluation and care planning session under the code.

Following a dementia 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. Physicians, health care providers and those living with the disease should visit www.alz.org/careplanning to learn more.

Physicians, health care providers, nursing agencies, the Aging and Disability Resource Center, the Hawaii State Big Island Office of Aging, public health nursing and the Alzheimer’s Association work closely together to support the forgetful people in our community.

Chris Ridley

Alzheimer’s Association program specialist