"Medicare covers Leqembi: A breakthrough Alzheimer's drug approved by FDA"

Medicare will cover the Alzheimer's medication Leqembi, the first drug proven to slow the progression of the disease, but patients may still face hurdles in accessing it. The drug is priced at about $26,500 for a year's worth of treatment, and Medicare enrollees will have to pay a 20% co-payment, potentially amounting to around $5,000 annually. The Inflation Reduction Act, which caps out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare recipients, won't apply to Leqembi. Eligibility for the drug requires a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease dementia, documented evidence of beta-amyloid plaque, and participation in a qualifying registry with appropriate clinical team and follow-up care. The drug is administered intravenously in a doctor's office and may have side effects such as brain bleeding or swelling.