Honoring Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
Every June, the Alzheimer's Association invites us to recognize Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. It’s a chance each year to learn and take meaningful steps toward better brain health. For Medicare beneficiaries and the loved ones who care for them, it's also a great time to understand how Medicare can support cognitive health at every stage.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, accounting for an estimated 60–80% of cases, and typically develops slowly over many years.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 7 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to grow as the overall population ages. And Alzheimer's isn't the only concern. Other forms of dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and reversible conditions like depression, anxiety, or medication side effects can affect memory and thinking.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis can open the door to treatments, support resources, and planning options that may help individuals and their families navigate the condition.
How Medicare Supports Cognitive Health
Medicare includes several benefits designed to help beneficiaries stay on top of their brain health. Here are a few worth knowing about:
The Yearly "Wellness" Visit
If you've had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, you get a yearly Wellness Visit once every 12 months. This isn't a physical exam; it's a personalized visit to help you and your provider build a plan to prevent disease or disability based on your current health.
During this visit, your doctor will perform a
cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Signs of cognitive impairment can include trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, managing finances, or making everyday decisions.
Under Medicare, you pay nothing for the yearly wellness visit if your doctor or other health care provider accepts Medicare assignment.
Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services
If your provider notices signs of possible cognitive impairment, Medicare covers a separate, more in-depth visit. During this appointment, your doctor or other health care provider may:
- Perform a physical and neurological exam
- Review your medical history, and look over your medications
- Identify your support system and what caregivers may be able to help with
- Create a care plan to address and manage symptoms
- Refer you to a specialist, if needed
- Share information about community resources, such as rehabilitation services, adult day health programs, and support groups
A spouse, friend, or caregiver is welcome to attend this visit to help share information and ask questions. The Part B deductible and coinsurance apply for this visit.
Additional Dementia Support
Some people living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers may be able to get additional support through the
Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model without paying coinsurance. This powerful program provides coordinated services that include care navigation, training and education for caregivers, connections to community resources for dementia, 24/7 access to a support line, and respite services up to $2,500 annually. Not every provider participates, so ask your health care provider whether this program is available to you.
For more information on covered treatments for Alzheimer's disease, visit Medicare.gov.
Brain-Healthy Habits Count, Too
Medical care is just one piece of the puzzle. Many health organizations also point to everyday habits that may support cognitive wellness, such as:
- Staying physically active
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- Getting consistent and quality sleep
- Staying socially connected with friends, family, and community
- Challenging your brain with reading, puzzles, learning, or new hobbies
- Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and hearing loss
These habits don't replace medical care, but they can complement and support the preventive benefits Medicare offers.
For Caregivers: You're Not Alone
Caring for someone with memory loss is very demanding. If you're a caregiver, remember that Medicare-covered cognitive care visits are designed with you in mind, too. You can attend appointments, ask questions, and help your loved one develop a clear care plan together. Organizations like the
Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) and the
Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov) also offer free resources, support groups, and 24/7 helplines. Don’t neglect your own health, especially your mental health, as you go through this journey.
Take a Moment This June
Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month is a reminder to ask questions, schedule that wellness visit, and have honest conversations with the people you love. Brain health is part of overall health, and Medicare offers meaningful tools to help you protect it.
If you have questions about which services your specific Medicare coverage includes, reach out to us for a review.
