Medicare requirements for new FDA-approved Alzheimer's drug raise alarms for seniors

  • 📰 dcexaminer
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 29 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 15%
  • Publisher: 94%

United States Headlines News

United States Latest News,United States Headlines

Alzheimer's advocacy organizations have praised the FDA's approval of the new treatment for the debilitating disease, but they have equally condemned the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for attaching significant burdens to access the care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced on Thursday that, for Medicare to cover these expensive treatments, Medicare patients must be diagnosed with amyloid plaques on the brain and be treated by a physician who would be required to upload patient information into a federal database to monitor the real-world efficacy of the treatments.

Coverage for Leqembi falls under Medicare Part B, as the treatment is administered in a facility, with a 20% patient co-pay depending upon the patient's supplemental insurance, making the out-of-pocket costs for the treatment over $5,000 annually. The Alzheimer's Association announced that, although it applauds the FDA's approval of Leqembi and CMS's steps to cover the drug, Medicare needs to do more to ease access to life-altering care for those with this terminal illness. Of chief concern is the mandatory participation in the federal registry.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 6. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

FDA approves Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, paving way for broader Medicare coverageLeqembi slowed cognitive decline in a clinical trial, but the treatment is expensive and carries serious risks of brain swelling and bleeding.
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

FDA approves Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi, clearing the way for Medicare coverageDespite Medicare coverage, drug may remain out of reach for many patients, policy experts say
Source: MarketWatch - 🏆 3. / 97 Read more »

Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi granted full FDA approval and that means Medicare will pay for itU.S. officials have granted full approval to a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug for patients with early stages of the disease.
Source: FOX29philly - 🏆 570. / 51 Read more »

FDA approves Alzheimer’s treatment Leqembi, allowing for Medicare coverageThe FDA gave it conditional approval in January based on early results suggesting the drug could modestly slow cognitive decline. FDA officials said Thursday that the drug’s benefits have now been confirmed.
Source: PennLive - 🏆 463. / 53 Read more »

Op-ed: Medicare agency limiting access to Alzheimer’s treatmentCommentary: A new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab, will likely receive traditional FDA approval on Thursday. Unfortunately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is closing the door to ready access to this new treatment.
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »

FDA approves use of Leqembi to treat Alzheimer's patientsFDA approves use of Leqembi Alzheimer\u0027s patients
Source: cbschicago - 🏆 546. / 51 Read more »