NEW YORK, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- In the hope that it will drive early intervention for the increasing number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) today announced its support of the federal government’s proposal to provide Medicare reimbursement of positron emission tomography (PET) for some individuals with suspected Alzheimer’s disease.
AFA said the proposed coverage fits in with the organization’s call for a national public-private memory screening initiative that would expand access to free screenings and prevention wellness education to those concerned about memory problems.
“Our nation needs a complete strategy that involves both research for a cure, as well as a national system of care that involves cognitive wellness, early intervention and disability compression,” said Richard E. Powers, MD, secretary of AFA’s board of trustees and chief of the Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.
In its comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the AFA wrote: “With no silver bullet for dementia in the immediate future, we need to fully use all preventive measures and early interventions. PET studies will provide a valuable tool in predicting disease, and maximizing the therapeutic effects of available and evolving treatments.”
Further, it said, “Early diagnosis empowers families to battle this disease. This proposal represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to improve care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Last month, CMS proposed expanded Medicare coverage of PET that identifies changes in brain activity for the diagnosis of suspected Alzheimer’s disease, and other individuals with early dementia or unexpected memory loss who are enrolled in clinical trials. In its proposal, CMS said, “available evidence supports the conclusion that PET scans help to evaluate patients with progressive symptoms of dementia, but for whom a diagnosis remains unclear despite a thorough standard medical evaluation.” CMS invited public comment until July 15 and will make a final decision in the fall.
AFA’s stand on PET usage comes as the national organization strives to raise awareness of the importance of early detection, including implementing a national cognitive impairment screening and wellness initiative for older Americans.
As part of its efforts, AFA held a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill on July 12 to shed light on the growing incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and the urgency for expanded access to free memory screenings, with the goals of early diagnosis and wellness education.
AFA’s proposed initiative builds on AFA’s National Memory Screening Day, an event held each November that provides free memory screenings at hundreds of sites nationwide.
“Screenings are a simple, cost-efficient intervention that can help reduce the burden of dementia on Americans. They direct at-risk individuals to appropriate clinical treatments, reassure the healthy elder and promote successful aging,” said Eric J. Hall, AFA’s chief executive officer.
With a diagnosis in hand, individuals can benefit on many fronts. They can take advantage of available and emerging medical treatments that can work best to slow the progression of the disease when initiated early; can embrace community support services; can be involved in decisions that affect their future, such as advanced directives and long-term care; and may be able to remain at home longer, thereby significantly reducing the cost of institutional care. Families can also be directed to community support services, which may relieve some of the impact on their physical and mental well-being.
At the same time, Hall said, “Screenings can have a powerful impact in allaying fears. They provide reassurance and information about cognitive wellness to the majority of individuals whose screens do not raise concerns about memory impairment.”
Founded in 2002, AFA focuses on “care ... in addition to cure” for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and support for family members. It unites member organizations from coast-to-coast that provide hands-on services to meet a family’s educational, emotional, social and practical needs. AFA’s services include a toll-free hotline -- 866-AFA-8484, educational materials and training for healthcare professionals.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
CONTACT: Carol Steinberg of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America,+1-866-232-8484 or cell: +1-516-236-7101
