Blood test

tucson anne · June 1

I am sure many of you have read about this, but for those who need a diagnosis, there is now an approved blood test for Alzheimer's that doesn't involve a spinal tap or PET scan. Alas, I do not think Medicare pays for it.

RetiredTeacher · June 1

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73177/blood-test

I checked and Kaiser doesn't cover it. Says it hasn't officially been approved. Are there still more testing trials before officially approved?

tucson anne · June 2

It's been approved by the FDA. Insurance doesn't have to cover it; there is the whole dilemma of testing to discover a disease that can't be treated, ultimately…That's why Medicare doesn't cover PET scans to diagnose Alzheimers…

janeedee · June 2

My DH had this blood test in Feb 2024 as part of his diagnosis. (It was FDA approved Jan 2024). It was covered by insurance. There were 2 different parts of the blood test 1) looking for tau and plaques 2) checking for a genetic component.

MaryMN · June 2

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/244567#Comment_244567

With the advent of the new therapies that require a diagnosis of MCI or early AD, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they would cover PET imaging for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in October, 2023. My husband's PET scan was fully covered between Medicare B and his supplement.

JJ401 · June 3

DH had the blood test in December 2024. It was covered by Medicare and his supplement. The neurologist required it before he could start Kisunla.
His results indicated one copy of the APOE3 gene.

saundersss47 · June 4

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73177/blood-test

my husband had a blood test and a spinal tap both were positive for Alzheimer’s. The spinal tap was so simple he didn’t even feel it. Both were covered between Medicare and our secondary insurance.

Blood test

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