This legislative proposal seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, effective January 1, 2028. It amends the Social Security Act to specifically list these tests as covered services under Medicare Part B. The bill defines covered tests as those furnished for the detection of pre-symptomatic and early stages of these conditions, provided they are cleared, classified, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include genomic sequencing blood or blood product tests , as well as other equivalent tests such as single-analyte tests, cell-free nucleic acid analyses, multiplex panel tests, and various forms of genomic and proteomic analysis based on blood, tissue, urine, or other biospecimens, as determined by the Secretary. By ensuring Medicare payment for these advanced screening methods, the bill aims to facilitate earlier diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's and related dementias, potentially improving patient outcomes.
This legislative proposal seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, effective January 1, 2028. It amends the Social Security Act to specifically list these tests as covered services under Medicare Part B. The bill defines covered tests as those furnished for the detection of pre-symptomatic and early stages of these conditions, provided they are cleared, classified, or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include genomic sequencing blood or blood product tests , as well as other equivalent tests such as single-analyte tests, cell-free nucleic acid analyses, multiplex panel tests, and various forms of genomic and proteomic analysis based on blood, tissue, urine, or other biospecimens, as determined by the Secretary. By ensuring Medicare payment for these advanced screening methods, the bill aims to facilitate earlier diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's and related dementias, potentially improving patient outcomes.