First Alzheimers Drug Approved: Medicare Will Approve
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
July 7, 2023 —
Leqembi, the first drug shown to slow down Alzheimer’s disease, has been given full approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new drug has been shown to be effective, slowing declines in memory and thinking by about 27% after 18 months. It will be widely covered by Medicare, and is expected to be used by millions of people with early signs of cognitive problems and high levels of amyloid.
Leqembi will cost about $26,500 per year. It has potentially serious side effects including potential swelling of the brain and bleeding. Experts seem to agree the drug is not going to stop the disease or reverse it, but it can slow down the progression of the disease. The drug is made by a Japanese company.
Given its high cost and the number of patients expected to take it, the drug represents a new pressure on Medicare’s already rising budget.
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Comments on "First Alzheimers Drug Approved: Medicare Will Approve"
Mike says:
From Medicare:
"Individuals with Original Medicare will pay the standard 20% coinsurance of the Medicare-approved amount for Leqembi once they meet their Part B deductible. Costs may be different for people with Medicare supplemental coverage (like a Medigap plan) or other secondary insurance, or those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Individuals should contact their plan for more specific cost information."
The full statement is here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/statement-broader-medicare-coverage-leqembi-available-following-fda-traditional-approval
Mike says:
In addition to drug costs treatment costs could be $82,500 per patient per year. 92 % of patients are expected to be from Medicare or Medicaid costing the system $2-$5 billion per year. https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/the-real-costs-of-the-new-alzheimers-drug-most-of-which-will-fall-to-taxpayers/
In March Medicare estimated a nearly $10 month increase in Part B premiums to $174.80 for 2024. That was before Leqembi was approved so who knows what the final increase will be. In 2022 Part B premiums jumped by 14.5%, partially due to the introduction Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm.