Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2023) – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is applauding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its proposal to eliminate its current policy of limiting Medicare coverage of PET scans to just one in a person’s lifetime. PET scans play a key role in detecting Alzheimer’s and monitoring the disease’s progression. Detection of Alzheimer’s is a requirement for patients to receive Medicare coverage for the recently approved Leqembi.

“This is excellent news for Alzheimer’s patients. For too long, the policy of limiting PET scans for Alzheimer’s patients made it more difficult to detect the disease, much less monitor its progress. We are grateful to CMS for hearing the voices of the Alzheimer’s community and for taking quick action to ensure this policy is in line with its updated national coverage determination as it relates to the newest drug on the market,” said George Vradenburg, chair and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. 

The proposal to lift the PET scan restriction is subject to a 30-day public comment period, which people can submit on CMS’ website starting today.

About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is engaged in a relentless pursuit to end Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading killer in America. Our work centers on prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and access to treatments – all regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity. To achieve our mission, we give voice to patients and caregivers while partnering with government, scientists, the private sector, and allied organizations -- the people who put the “Us” in UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.