CMS has started a pilot program for dementia. The program has enrolled 100 providers and is currently enrolling patients. This pilot is called the GUIDE and the goal is to reduce costs for care of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients which is skyrocketing. CMS spent 345 Trillion in 2023 for this care and it continues to rise.

According to Modern Healthcare, “Providers in the pilot deliver a variety of home-based healthcare services, including primary care, care navigation by social workers and community health workers and a 24/7 support hotline. The program also offers education, training and respite services to unpaid caregivers.”

The real question is the funding enough to meet the needs of these members. Many providers worry the pay rate is not enough to cover the needs of dementia patients enrolled in the program. It is possible this pilot program will illuminate issues and drive innovation and bundling of services that save the system money, improve care and outcomes. Time will tell. To read more about this program check out CMS’s page on the GUIDE program HERE.