| Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that affects | | | | fraction of the cost of care in a skilled nursing facility, |
| older adults. It is a progressive disease characterized | | | | but only if several requirements are met. First, the |
| by declining memory and cognitive ability. Although | | | | patient must have been hospitalized for at least three |
| some medications may help to alleviate or delay the | | | | days for a medical condition. Second, the patient must |
| progression of symptoms, there is no cure. | | | | be admitted to the skilled nursing facility within 30 days |
| According to a 2008 report released by the | | | | of being discharged from the hospital. Third, the patient |
| Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 5.2 million | | | | must be admitted to the skilled nursing facility for the |
| Americans currently suffer from the disease. It is the | | | | same condition for which he or she was admitted to |
| most common form of dementia, afflicting 1 in 8 | | | | the hospital. If all of these requirements are met, |
| persons over the age of 65. | | | | Medicare will pay in full for only the first 20 days in the |
| Medicare, a federal health insurance that covers | | | | skilled care facility. Days 21 through 100 will require a |
| people age 65 and over, provides limited coverage for | | | | co-payment of up to $128 per day, and after day 100, |
| Alzheimer's patients. | | | | Medicare payments will cease altogether. |
| Prior to 2002, all Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with | | | | Coverage of home health care is similarly restricted. |
| Alzheimer's had been automatically denied | | | | Medicare Part A may pay for up to 100 visits, but only |
| reimbursement on the grounds that the disease was | | | | if the patient is also covered by Medicare Part B |
| incurable, and medical treatment was ineffective. | | | | (Supplemental Health Insurance). To qualify, the patient |
| Thanks to a governmental policy change in 2002, | | | | must have spent at least three days in a hospital or |
| Medicare no longer denies claims for mental health | | | | skilled nursing facility, and be discharged within 14 days |
| services, home health care, or hospice care for these | | | | of the start of home health care services. The patient |
| patients. | | | | must be confined to home under a physician's orders. |
| However, Medicare coverage for the care of | | | | Hospice care is covered if the patient is terminally ill |
| Alzheimer's patients is still restricted. Medicare does not | | | | and expected to have less than 6 months to live. |
| cover assisted living, senior housing, adult day care, or | | | | Medicare initially covers two periods of 90 days, |
| long-term nursing home care. | | | | followed by an unlimited number of 60 day periods. |
| Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay a limited | | | | |