Savvy Senior: How Medicare covers Alzheimer's disease - CapitalGazette.com

Dear Savvy Senior, What all does Medicare cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease? My wife was recently diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s and I would like to find out what’s covered and what’s not. — Researching Spouse

Dear Spouse, Most medical costs to treat beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease are covered by Medicare, but unfortunately long-term custodial care costs that most patients eventually need are not. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, along with some tips that can help you plan ahead.

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Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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