OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News The cost to government agencies, notably the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), for the care of patients who have Alzheimer's disease is substantial at present, and it is rising rapidly. By 2010, Medicare spending on Alzheimer's disease is projected to grow to $49.3 billion (a 54% increase over the costs in 2000) and Medicaid spending to $33 billion (an 80% increase over costs in 2000). Recent estimates indicate that the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is increasing at a high rate, and with . . .