Washington, DC, June 1, 2023 - Earlier today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a public statement discussing what they call a "plan to ensure availability of new Alzheimer's drugs." However, it’s crucial to understand that this is not a fresh approach, or a victory for the Alzheimer’s advocacy community who have been fighting to end CMS discrimination. In reality, the statement echoes the final coverage determination the CMS made some 14 months ago – with no change in position, and no better access for people with Alzheimer’s to new diagnostic tools or treatments.

CMS is propagating an image of "broader coverage," with its statement, but this depiction distorts the truth. The reality is that new and beneficial Alzheimer's medications are potentially years away from the grasp of Medicare beneficiaries due to bureaucratic barriers being raised by the agency. Creating patient registries in order to support Medicare reimbursement, as CMS has described as part of the pathway for access, is a lengthy process often taking upwards of 18 months. Furthermore, CMS's guidelines could potentially create considerable obstacles for the majority of patients, disproportionately affecting those from racial minorities and individuals residing in rural areas, from accessing these new treatments that could slow the progression of this devastating disease.

The stark reality behind today’s rhetoric is that CMS is rationing these life-changing medicines and continuing to discriminate against people with Alzheimer’s. The consequence of this action is that each passing day sees approximately 2,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the early stages of Alzheimer's losing their opportunity to benefit from these novel, FDA-approved treatments.

Today's press release seems nothing more than a subtle strategy to diffuse growing political pressure from policymakers and patient advocates nationwide.  Unless CMS abandons the imposition of mandatory registry and clinical study conditions for Alzheimer's drugs, Medicare will keep severely limiting treatment options for those affected by Alzheimer's. 

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