WASHINGTON — Every week after the Meals and Drug Administration granted full, conventional approval to a brand new Alzheimer’s remedy, insurers are finalizing their plans to cowl it in addition to related scans and diagnostic checks.
Medicare will cowl most sufferers eligible for Leqembi, a brand new remedy developed by Eisai and Biogen to assist sluggish the development of Alzheimer’s illness. The drug, which has modest advantages, has doubtlessly critical unwanted side effects for some sufferers together with mind swelling and bleeding.
Medicare informed STAT that it might cowl mind scans and genetic testing that can assist display screen for and monitor potential unwanted side effects. Medicare already covers one amyloid PET scan per lifetime, however the company is reconsidering that coverage and plans to launch a brand new proposed coverage “quickly,” an company spokesperson mentioned.