News Report | October 18, 2021
California Medicaid To Cover An Annual Cognitive Health Assessment For Older Beneficiaries
On October 4, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that requires the state Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) to cover an annual cognitive health assessment for beneficiaries aged 65 and older. The goal is earlier identification of beneficiaries with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. As of June 2021, there were nearly 14 million Medi-Cal beneficiaries, and about 10% (1.4 million) were age 65 or older. The legislation did not state a date by which DHCS must start covering this new benefit, or the reimbursement rate for professionals conducting the assessments.
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