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) is amended— (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.; and (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 means the following services furnished by an eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (3)) to a family caregiver (as defined in such paragraph) of an applicable Medicare beneficiary (as defined in such paragraph): (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 means an individual— (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 means an individual who— (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 means, with respect to an applicable Medicare beneficiary, a spouse, adult child, or other family member of the applicable Medicare beneficiary who is part of the care team of the applicable Medicare beneficiary and receives no monetary compensation for their service as part of the team. (4)

Payment

The Secretary shall establish payment amounts under this subsection for Alzheimer’s Disease caregiver support services.