Newly Approved Alzheimer’s Treatment Lecanemab Could Increase Annual Medicare Spending By Up To 0.5%

The newly approved medication Lecanemab and associated ancillary services for Alzheimer’s disease treatment could add an estimated $2 billion to $5 billion annually to Medicare spending, raising total spending by 0.2% to 0.5%. The medication has a proposed $26,500 annual acquisition cost per person. Currently 2023 Medicare spending is projected at $1,093 billion.

If 85,687 (lowest estimate) eligible individuals received Lecanemab, Medicare would spend $2.0 billion annually. If 216,536 (upper estimate) eligible individuals received Lecanemab, Medicare would spend $5.1 billion annually.

Estimated annual per person spending for the drug is $25 . . .