Leqembi is the first Alzheimer's antibody treatment to receive full FDA approval. The antibody, administered twice monthly through intravenous infusion, targets a protein called amyloid that is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Medicare coverage is a crucial step to help older Americans with early Alzheimer's disease pay for the treatment. Costs may vary depending on whether the patient has supplemental Medicare coverage or other secondary insurance, according to the agency. Philipson and his colleagues at the University of Chicago estimated that delaying Medicare coverage of Alzheimer's antibody treatments by one year would result in $6.8 billion in increased spending.

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Persons: Joanna Pike, Leqembi, Pike, David Knopman, Knopman, Anna Eshoo of, Nanette Barragan, There's, Tomas Philipson, Bush, Philipson, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Xavier Becerra, Sanders, Eisai Organizations: Drug Administration, Medicare, FDA, Alzheimer's Association, Mayo Clinic, Services, Health, University of Chicago, Senate Health, Human Services, Clinical Locations: U.S, Minnesota, Anna Eshoo of California