AuthoraCare Offers New Dementia Service
AuthoraCare Collective was recently selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to
participate in the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model.
Rollout of this eight-year pilot program began on July 1.
“Our selection by CMS recognizes our track record for providing comprehensive dementia care. We will be
able to enhance the care we provide through the GUIDE Model,” said Julie O’Neal, Director of Learning and
Education. “The GUIDE Model strives to advance health equity, providing care for our underserved
populations.”
Dementia takes a toll on patients, loved ones, and caregivers. About 6.7 million Americans are currently
living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and that figure is projected to grow to 14
million by 2060, according to CMS.
“The goal of the GUIDE Model is to keep dementia patients living at home as long as possible by providing
caregivers with the tools and resources they need to care for their loved ones,” O’Neal said.
Those eligible for the GUIDE Model include community-dwelling Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries,
including those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, who are living with dementia.
Eligibility, according to CMS, includes:
- Beneficiary has a diagnosis of dementia, as confirmed by a provider.
- Have Medicare as their primary payer.
- Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
- Not enrolled in Medicare Advantage, including Special Needs Plans.
- Not enrolled in a Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
- Not enrolled in Medicare hospice benefit.
- Not residing in a long-term care nursing home.
AuthoraCare has three Care Navigators to assess patients’ eligibility and provide support to enrolled patients
and their caregivers.
“The GUIDE Model provides a whole set of resources not previously available, including care coordination,
expanded education and support for caregivers,” said Candace Bowman, Senior Director of Integrated
Health Services. “I’m so glad that CMS recognized the need for this support.”