Despite FDA approval of new Alzheimer’s drugs that slow disease progression, outdated Medicare coverage rules are preventing most eligible Nevadans from receiving these treatments, with fewer than 15,000 patients nationwide accessing them as of 2026
New Alzheimer’s treatments that can slow the progression of the disease have been approved by the FDA, but most eligible patients in Nevada and across the country remain unable to access them due to restrictive Medicare coverage rules. The issue is drawing attention from local healthcare providers and advocates, as Las Vegas and Southern Nevada face a growing population of older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
According to recent polling, nearly 80% of voters—including a majority of independents—support expanded access to Alzheimer’s detection and treatment. Yet, 89% believe that Medicare and private insurance restrictions are blocking patients from receiving the drugs their doctors recommend. The concern is especially relevant in Nevada, where the senior population is rising and early intervention is critical for maintaining independence and quality of life.
FDA-Approved Drugs Offer New Hope
The FDA approved two new Alzheimer’s drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, in 2023 and 2024. Unlike previous therapies that only managed symptoms, these medications target and clear toxic proteins in the brain, slowing disease progression by about 30%. For patients, this can mean more time living independently before needing full-time memory care—a significant difference for families and caregivers in the Las Vegas Valley and beyond.
Despite an estimated one million Americans qualifying for these treatments, fewer than 15,000 have received them nationwide. The gap is largely due to a Medicare coverage rule established in April 2022, which has not kept pace with advances in Alzheimer’s diagnostics and treatment protocols.
Coverage Rules Lag Behind Medical Advances
The current Medicare policy requires physicians to enroll in a federal registry and submit patient data multiple times over two years to prescribe these drugs. Most community doctors, including those in Nevada, have not completed this process, limiting access to a handful of large academic medical centers—none of which are easily accessible for many Las Vegas residents.
Additionally, the rule was written when only invasive spinal taps or PET scans were accepted to confirm a diagnosis. Since then, blood-based biomarker tests have been developed and approved by the FDA, offering a less invasive and more affordable way to diagnose Alzheimer’s. In 2024, diagnostic criteria were updated to recognize these blood tests, and by July 2025, the Alzheimer’s Association published clinical guidelines supporting their use. However, Medicare’s coverage policy has not been updated to reflect these changes, meaning that even patients diagnosed with the latest methods cannot access treatment through Medicare.
Potential for Rapid Policy Change
Healthcare leaders note that no new legislation is required to update the coverage rule. The Department of Health and Human Services could direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revise the policy within 90 days, aligning coverage with current science and clinical practice. The scientific foundation—including FDA-approved blood tests and updated guidelines—is already in place.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act has been introduced in Congress to allow Medicare coverage for blood-based tests that can detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear. The bill has strong support but is not required for the immediate policy fix that would allow more Nevadans to access treatment.
Impact on Nevada’s Aging Population
With Las Vegas and Clark County experiencing rapid growth in their senior populations, the lack of access to new Alzheimer’s treatments is a pressing concern for local families and healthcare providers. The current Medicare rule, written before recent scientific advances, is now seen as a barrier to care. Advocates are urging federal agencies to act quickly so that eligible patients in Nevada and across the U.S. can benefit from the latest therapies.
Until the coverage policy is updated, most Nevadans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—even with the most advanced blood tests—will remain unable to receive FDA-approved treatments through Medicare. The medical community has done its part; now, attention turns to policymakers to close the gap.
