INDIANA – The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, urges the Indiana General Assembly to pass legislation in the 2024 session to ensure insurance policies cover biomarker tests for any disease.
Biomarkers (short for “biological markers”) are measurable biological changes that can show if a disease is present or a person is at risk for developing a disease.
About 110,000 Hoosiers are living with Alzheimer’s, but as many as half of them are not formally diagnosed. With the historic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in the early stages, early detection and diagnosis is even more critical to ensure individuals receive the greatest benefit at the earliest point possible.
Currently, some FDA-approved biomarker tools, such as brain imaging, can be used to aid in diagnosing people with dementia symptoms. Some of these tools already have a wealth of research and clinical data to support their use in a clinical setting, while other emerging biomarkers, including blood tests, are promising but still under investigation. Continued progress around blood-based amyloid biomarkers is likely to lead to new Alzheimer’s diagnostic tools coming to market within the next couple of years.
“Biomarkers offer one of the most promising paths to improve dementia detection, diagnosis, and treatment, yet these critical tests remain out of reach for many as insurance coverage is failing to keep pace with innovations,” said David Sklar, director of government affairs, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “Without access to biomarker testing, existing dementia care disparities may become even worse.”
Early diagnosis can also help lower the cost of care for people living with dementia. In a 2018 analysis, diagnosis led to projected cost savings of approximately $63,000 per person, including $30,000 in Medicare and $20,000 in Medicaid savings.
The Alzheimer’s Association is part of a national coalition of patient advocates committed to guaranteeing insurance coverage for comprehensive biomarker testing, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ALS Association, and Arthritis Foundation. As of November 2023, more than ten states have enacted legislation regarding coverage for biomarker testing.
Hoosier can support this effort during the Greater Indiana Chapter’s Advocacy Week of Action Feb. 12-16. To sign up for action alerts, visit alz.org/indiana/volunteer.
