ASAP Act seeks Medicare coverage for Alzheimer’s diagnostic tests

Lawmakers face pressure to advance the ASAP Act following the August recess. The bipartisan legislation aims to establish a coverage pathway for new Alzheimer’s detection tests within Medicare.

Advocates argue that the bill is necessary to keep pace with scientific advancements, such as blood-based biomarker tests that allow for earlier, less invasive diagnosis. Early detection is cited as critical for the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions and new disease-modifying therapies that can slow cognitive decline.

Currently, Medicare lacks a dedicated process for evaluating and covering these new diagnostic tools, meaning FDA clearance does not guarantee patient access. Polling indicates high public support for the measure, with 92% of voters favoring the ASAP Act and 90% supporting expanded Medicare coverage for FDA-cleared Alzheimer’s blood tests and approved treatments.