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 assessments.
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 probably severe unwanted effects for some sufferers together with mind swelling and bleeding.
Medicare advised STAT that it might cowl mind scans and genetic testing that can assist display screen for and monitor potential unwanted 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 stated.