Today, AHIP issued a statement to the Senate Finance Committee for a hearing on Alzheimer’s Awareness and Barriers to Diagnosis and Treatment. AHIP and our members are committed to finding solutions to these barriers, and we support the Committee’s focus on addressing
Alzheimer’s awareness and their commitment to caring for the people living with this disease and their caregivers.
Below are a few key takeaways from the statement:
- We recommend expanding access and increasing funding for long-term care insurance to provide financial security and peace of mind for those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia
- Following new flexibility from CMS to expand supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage, health insurance providers are offering more services specifically tailored to those with Alzheimer’s Disease
- For Medicaid eligible members with Alzheimer’s Disease health insurance providers are investing in community-based services such as therapeutic care, personal care, meals, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
- We must address the current the decline in the availability of family caregivers coupled with the challenges of the paid workforce, which will place a significant burden on private financial resources, and stress publicly financed programs
As our population continues to age rapidly, we must urgently address funding for long-term services and supports and ensuring an adequate caregiver workforce.
Our full statement can be found here: https://www.ahip.org/wp-content/uploads/AHIP-Senate-Finance-Committee-Statement-for-the-Record-on-Alzheimers-Disease-November-2019-Final.pdf