Alzheimer's Beneficiary and Caregiver Support Act

To require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the efficacy of providing Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services in delaying or reducing the use of institutionalized care for Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Alzheimer’s Beneficiary and Caregiver Support Act 2. Testing of Medicare and Medicaid coverage of Alzheimer’s disease caregiver support services Section 1115A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a (1) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The models selected under this subparagraph shall include the model described in subparagraph (D), which shall be implemented by not later than the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of such subparagraph. (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Alzheimer’s disease caregiver support services model The model described in this subparagraph is a model that meets the requirements of subsection (h) with respect to coverage of, and payment for, Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services (as defined in such subsection). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (h) Coverage of alzheimer’s disease caregiver support services (1) In general Subject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, for the 3-year period that begins on January 1, 2018, the Secretary shall test the efficacy of coverage of, and payment for, Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services (as defined in paragraph (2)) under the applicable title, in delaying or reducing the use of institutionalized care for applicable Medicare beneficiaries (as defined in paragraph (3)). (2) Definition of Alzheimer’s disease caregiver support services In this subsection, the term Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services (A) A defined set of counseling sessions over a fixed period of time (as determined appropriate by the Secretary), including a comprehensive baseline interview, two individual counseling sessions, and four family counseling sessions. (B) Following such defined set of counseling sessions, a subsequent period (as determined appropriate by the Secretary) of follow-up assessments, support group participation, and ad hoc counseling or consultations to support the family caregiver as needs arise and the health of the applicable Medicare beneficiary changes. (3) Additional definitions In this subsection: (A) Applicable medicare beneficiary The term applicable Medicare beneficiary (i) who is entitled to benefits under part A and enrolled under part B of title XVIII who is not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C of such title, an eligible organization under section 1876, or a PACE program under section 1894; and (ii) who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia. (B) Eligible professional The term eligible professional (i) is a clinical social worker (as defined in section 1861(hh)(1)) or a nurse practitioner (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A)); and (ii) has undergone extensive online training in the best practices for caregiver intervention for patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia. (C) Family caregiver The term family caregiver (4) Payment The Secretary shall establish payment amounts under this subsection for Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services. (5) Number of family caregivers furnished alzheimer’s disease caregiver support services The Secretary shall select a sufficient number of eligible professionals to participate in the model under this subsection to ensure that the primary family caregiver and at least one other, informal family caregiver of applicable Medicare beneficiaries receive Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services under this subsection. .

Summary: Alzheimer's Beneficiary and Caregiver Support Act This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the efficacy of coverage and payment for Alzheimer's Disease caregiver support services in delaying or reducing the use of institutionalized care for Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish payment amounts for such services.