Medicare Coverage for Alzheimer's & Dementia (2026)

What Medicare covers for Alzheimer's

• Cognitive assessment + care plan visit: Annual visit covered at $0 to detect cognitive impairment and develop a personalized care plan.
• Leqembi (lecanemab): Covered under Part B for early Alzheimer's diagnosis with confirmed amyloid pathology.
• GUIDE Model: Voluntary care-coordination benefit at participating practices — 24/7 helpline, caregiver education, respite care.
• PET scans: Amyloid PET scans now covered for diagnosis (was previously limited to clinical trials).
• Hospice: Available when life expectancy is 6 months or less; covered at $0.
• Skilled nursing: Up to 100 days per benefit period after a 3-day hospital stay.

Best plan structure for Alzheimer's patients

Original Medicare + Medigap is often best. Why: care typically involves multiple specialists (neurologist, geriatrician, psychiatrist), and predictable costs matter when families are managing care. Medigap caps out-of-pocket spending and removes prior-authorization friction.

I-SNPs (Institutional SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for nursing-home residents — $0 premium, on-site clinical staff, and care coordination. Available in select markets.