The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new voluntary nationwide model – the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model – to support people living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers in a comprehensive, coordinated way. The GUIDE Request for Applications (RFA) is available here. Applications due January 30, 2024.
In this short video, Dr. David Reuben, Archstone Foundation Chair and Professor, UCLA, and Director, UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program, talks about the enormous potential of this program and why providers and community based organizations should consider it.
In this demonstration:
- Selected Medicare part B providers will be authorized to provide comprehensive care management to people living with dementia and paid a per-person, per-month fee starting at $150-$390, depending upon severity and social circumstances (RFA pg 34).
- There is no 20% co-pay requirement for your patients and no reduction in payments or conflicts if they also participate in other Medicare programs such as Accountable Care Organizations.
- Part B providers are encouraged to contract with other entities such as community-based organizations or other medical providers for parts of the services required by patients.
- Respite services will be paid up to an annual cap of $2,500 per-beneficiary, per-year (RFA pg 43).
- If you are a safety net provider (RFA pg 47), you may be eligible for a $75,000 “infrastructure payment” from CMS to set up and staff your program, if you are new to comprehensive dementia care.
Archstone Foundation is committed to supporting professionals in California who are interested in taking up this program. With our partners at Dementia Care Aware and Alzheimer's Association, we are exploring opportunities to help, including hosting a webinar (to be announced) and providing resources and information. To stay informed, please complete this brief form to provide us with your contact information.
Learn more about GUIDE from CMS:
- GUIDE Request for Applications (cms.gov)
- CMS website - GUIDE Model
- GUIDE Model Fact Sheet
- GUIDE Model FAQs
- Register for CMS “Office Hours” on January 11, 2024 at 11am PT to review the GUIDE Model and ask questions about the RFA and application process.
Helpful resources from National Dementia Care Collaborative:
On 11/28/23, The Education Development Center (EDC) hosted the National Dementia Care Collaborative (NDCC) Autumn Summit, The CMS GUIDE Model: Choices for Implementing Evidence-Based Dementia Care.
Visit their webpage to view the recording and materials to learn:
- How available evidence-based, comprehensive dementia care models can be implemented to help meet GUIDE Model requirements
- About the GUIDE Model application process with insights from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)
- Which evidence-based models align with different settings and needs
- About evidence-based models directly from developers and other national leaders
Additional background:
- Dementia Care Aware - GUIDE Model
- Dementia Care Aware - Applying for the GUIDE model in California Webinar
- Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
- Alzheimer's Association - GUIDE Press Release
- Dementia Care Pathways Infographic
Updated 12/20/23
