Medicare will be the primary payer of Aduhelm since most Alzheimer's patients are older than 65. Photo: Biogen
Medicare has initiated the process to determine whether the federal program for older adults and the disabled will deny, limit or allow full coverage of Aduhelm, the new Alzheimer's drug approved by the FDA despite no proof it effectively treats the brain disease.
The bottom line: The federal government will make a final coverage decision by no later than next April, and the public can submit comments now and after a proposed decision in January.