Mandatory Cognitive Screening Added to Medicare Wellness Visits.
This legislation mandates the inclusion of cognitive impairment detection, such as early signs of Alzheimer's disease, in the Medicare annual wellness visit and initial preventive physical examination. The goal is to ensure early diagnosis, allowing beneficiaries and caregivers faster access to necessary treatments, care planning services, and support programs. These changes take effect on January 1, 2026.
Key points
Cognitive impairment detection becomes a mandatory component of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) and the initial preventive physical examination.
Early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer's disease will facilitate patient access to treatment, clinical trials, and care planning services.
Screenings must use approved tools, and the results must be documented in the patient's medical record.
Introduced
Citizen Poll