Paying for Care
for Those With Alzheimer's
General Financing
National Alzheimer's Association on Paying for Care
Paying for Prescription Drugs
General Financing
Financing care for family members suffering from Alzheimer's is similar to financing care for anyone else.
National Alzheimer's Association on Paying for Care
The National Alzheimer's Association provides information related to paying for care that is specific to Alzheimer's and Dementia sufferers. In order to view much of the information, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This reader is free and only takes a minute to download. This reader will also let you print the information.
Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan
Medicare and Medicaid Costs for People with Alzheimer's Disease (24 pages)
Medicare and Medicaid Section of the Alzheimer's Association Website
Medicare: An Outline of Benefits
Medicare: Fee-for-Service FAQs
Medicare Home Health Benefit for Caregiver Training in 16 States
Medicare: Hospice Benefit
Medicare Drug Plan Considerations
Money Matters (28 pages)
Planning Ahead for Long-Term Dementia Care Expenses
Special Considerations When Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan
Tax Credits and Deductions
Taxes and Alzheimer's Disease (26 pages)
About Medicare and Alzheimer's
Although Medicare will cover for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Medicare will not cover:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter nutritional supplements
- Adult Day Care
- Respite
care
(except as described under the Part A hospice benefit) - Personal aid assistance
(except as provided under the home health care benefit) - Custodial care in a nursing home
- Incontinence supplies
- Experimental treatment
Sometimes Medicare will refuse to pay for certain medical treatment, even though it is a covered service. Some examples are as follows:
-
Home health care:
Medicare might deny a claim for home health care because Medicare has determined that the beneficiary is not confined to the home. -
Physical, occupational, or speech therapy:
Medicare might deny a claim for therapy because Medicare does not believe that the beneficiary can benefit from the therapy. -
Mental
health services:
As with rehabilitation therapy, Medicare might deny a claim for mental health therapy because Medicare does not believe that the beneficiary can benefit from the mental health services.
If these services…
- were ordered by your doctor, and
- were provided by an appropriate provider, but Medicare refused to pay for them …you should appeal Medicare’s decision.
For information about how to appeal a Medicare denial of a claim, contact your local Senior's Health Insurance Information Program or call your local aging agency. The Alzheimer's Association also offers information on what to do if a service is refused.
Paying for Prescription Drugs
Paying for medications for someone with Alzheimer's disease is often like paying for medications for any other senior. Below, we link to our website section on paying for prescription drugs in general. We also offer links to the Alzheimer's Association and their information on things to consider related to paying for medications through Medicare.
Drug Company Assistance Programs
Help With Paying for Prescription Drugs
Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan
Medicare Drug Plan Considerations
Special Considerations When Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan
Tips on Paying for Prescription Drugs
