Alzheimer Medicare coverage - covered the cost of care at home?

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that the elderly are affected. It is a progressive disease characterized by impairment of memory and cognitive abilities. Although some drugs can help alleviate or delay the progression of symptoms, there is no cure.

According to a 2008 report issued by the Alzheimer's approximately 5.2 million Americans suffer from this disease. It 's the most common form of dementia that affects more than 1 in 8 people over the age of65.

Medicare, a federal law on health insurance that covers people of 65 years, provides limited coverage for Alzheimer's patients.

Before 2002, all Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with Alzheimer automatically refund was on the ground that the disease was incurable, and refused medical treatment ineffective.

Due to the change of government policy in 2002, Medicare does not deny requests for mental health services, home care or nursing home for those whoPatients.

However, Medicare coverage for the treatment of Alzheimer's patients is still limited. Medicare does not pay for assisted living, senior housing, adult day care or long-term care nursing home.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay a small fraction of the cost of care in a nursing home facility, but only if several conditions are met. First the patient for at least three days were admitted to hospital for a medical condition. Secondly, the patientapproved for skilled nursing facility within 30 days after discharge from hospital. Third, the patient should be skilled in the art care facility for the same condition for which he or she was admitted to hospital admitted. If all these conditions are met, Medicare only pay in full for the first 20 days in the skilled care facility. 21-100 days will be an additional payment of up to $ 128 a day, after day 100, Medicare regular paymentswhole.

Coverage of home care is limited. Medicare Part A may pay up to 100 visits, but only if the patient is covered by Medicare Part B (medical insurance). To qualify, the patient must be at least three days in a hospital or nursing home have a structure within 14 days after the onset of health services for home care will be fired. The patient should be confined at home under doctor's orders.

Hospice is covered when the patientis terminally ill and should have to live less than 6 months. Medicare covers the first two periods of 90 days, followed by an unlimited number of 60 days.