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Alzheimer's Foundation of America applauds
inclusion of Cognitive Screening for
Medicare Beneficiaries in Senate Finance
Committee Health Reform Proposal
NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)
today applauded Senate Finance Committee
Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Tom
Carper (D-DE), who spearheaded the
provision, for including cognitive
impairment screening for Medicare
beneficiaries in Baucus' healthcare reform
proposal, "America's Healthy Future Act of
2009."
AFA had pressed for cognitive screening in light of the
escalating incidence of Alzheimer's disease
among aging Americans and mounting evidence
that early diagnosis of memory problems is
critical to appropriate treatment,
behavioral interventions and support
services.
Early detection of memory problems is one of AFA's major
national initiatives, highlighted by its
annual National Memory Screening Day held
each November.
"We applaud and thank Senator Carper and Chairman Baucus
for their leadership in recognizing the
value of cognitive screening and its
potential impact on quality of life for
older Americans," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's
president and CEO.
"The inclusion of cognitive screenings in Medicare wellness
visits will help initiate long overdue and
vital discussions about brain health between
consumers and healthcare professionals."
Richard E. Powers, M.D., chairman of AFA's Medical Advisory
Board, said it is noteworthy that the
provision for the cognitive screenings, as
well as the overall comprehensive health
assessment, is framed in the context of
disease prevention.
"Being proactive about risk factors and about memory
concerns is the only way to attack this
public health crisis," he said. "This is a
major step forward toward elevating this
issue to the stature deserved by all
Americans."
Baucus' healthcare proposal, released yesterday as a
"Chairman's Mark," or recommendation by a
committee chair, is scheduled for markup by
the Senate Finance Committee on September
22.
The provision for cognitive screening is included in a
section on promoting disease prevention and
wellness that would give Medicare
beneficiaries access to a comprehensive
health risk assessment to identify chronic
diseases, modifiable risk factors, and
emergency or urgent health needs.
As part of the annual wellness visit, the proposal states
that "optional elements, if appropriate,
could include a cognitive impairment
screening and administration of or referral
for appropriate Medicare-covered
immunizations and screening tests, among
others."
All enrolled beneficiaries would be eligible for the
wellness visit once every year beginning in
2011, and no co-payment or deductible would
apply. Within six months of completing the
assessment, Medicare would pay for a visit
to a primary care provider to create a
personalized prevention plan.
In a report, "Memory Matters," released last December, AFA
underscored the value of memory screenings,
noting that current research supports
screening as a "safe, cost-efficient
intervention that can reassure the healthy
individual, promote successful aging and,
when indicated, direct individuals to
appropriate clinical resources."
At the time, Hall said the report serves as a "wake up
call" to the public and medical
professionals, as well as to policymakers.
The proposed inclusion of cognitive screening in the
Medicare wellness visit is unfolding as AFA
gears up for its National Memory Screening
Day on November 17, an annual event that
offers free, confidential memory screenings
in local communities.
Qualified healthcare professionals are expected to
administer the non-invasive screenings to
tens of thousands of Americans as well as
distribute educational materials to
countless others at more than 2,000 sites in
local communities nationwide.
AFA encourages individuals who are concerned about memory
loss, are experiencing warning signs or have
a family history of dementia, or want to see
how their memory is now and for future
comparisons to take advantage of the
screenings, which are conducted face-to-face
and consist of a series of questions and
tasks.
The results do not represent a diagnosis, but individuals
with below-normal scores or who still have
concerns are strongly encouraged to follow
up for a full medical examination. For more
information, visit
www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.
In previous years, surveys of participants in National
Memory Screening Day showed that the
majority of individuals with memory concerns
had not discussed the issue with their
physicians despite recent visits.
According to the National Institute on Aging, as many as
4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's
disease, which causes loss of memory and
other intellectual functions.
With age the greatest known risk factor, the incidence of
the disease doubles every five years between
65 and 95.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a nonprofit
organization based in New York City that
focuses on providing optimal care to
individuals with Alzheimer's disease and
related illnesses, and their families, and
unites 1,200 member organizations nationwide
that provide hands-on programs.
AFA's services include a toll-free hot line with counseling
by licensed social workers, a free caregiver
magazine, a National Memory Screening Day
initiative and the AFA Quilt to Remember.
For information, call 866-AFA-8484 or visit
www.alzfdn.org.
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