Menendez, Stabenow, Collins, Markey, Capito Introduce Bipartisan Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV.) today introduced the bipartisan Improving HOPE (Health, Outcomes, Planning, and Education) for Alzheimer’s Act to increase awareness among health care providers and utilization among patients and caregivers, of individual care planning resources -- a critical new Medicare benefit. In 2017, the first year Medicare began covering care planning, less than one percent of seniors living with Alzheimer’s received the benefit.

“My mother fought a brave battle with Alzheimer’s, and I know how devastating it can be -- not only for our loved ones diagnosed with the deadly disease, but for families struggling to understand how to provide the best care possible,” said Sen. Menendez. “We fought to provide patients and their caregivers important care planning services – like help in understanding a diagnosis, the treatments available, and ways to manage the many challenges that will lie ahead – because we know it can make a positive impact in their lives.”

“Yet, far too many seniors living with Alzheimer’s – and their doctors -- have no idea this benefit is available,” he added. “We’re introducing this bill to change that and to ensure patients get the resources they need.”

As the result of successful bipartisan efforts by lawmakers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced in November 2016 that Medicare would begin paying for individual care plans for newly diagnosed patients beginning in 2017, effectively implementing the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. The benefit encourages doctors to give a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available.

The Improving HOPE Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct outreach to make more health care providers aware of this important benefit and to report back on rates of utilization and barriers to access.