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Alzheimer's Association urges Medicare coverage for blood tests, highlights local services in Charleston
Summary
Ashton Halton of the Alzheimer's Association told the City of Charleston advisory committee the group provides a 24/7 helpline, community education and trial-match tools and is pressing Congress for the ASAP Act to have Medicare cover blood biomarker screening for Alzheimer's; the committee discussed cost and access barriers.
Ashton Halton, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association's South Carolina chapter, told the City of Charleston Health and Wellness Advisory Committee on June 3 that the association offers free services and is advocating federally for broader access to early Alzheimer's detection.
Halton said the association provides a 24-hour helpline (1-800-272-3900), community education, and clinical trial matching. "We have over 112,000 people in South Carolina alone today who are living with the disease and over 229,000 caregivers," Halton said, describing both the local need and the association's services.
The presentation focused on early detection and recent advances in diagnostics. Halton told the committee the Alzheimer's Association supports the ASAP Act (the Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act), legislation that would allow Medicare to cover FDA-authorized blood biomarker tests that can detect Alzheimer's pathology earlier than many existing tests. "We have two FDA approved blood biomarker testing that essentially you could go into your doctor's office today and ask for," Halton said; she added that Medicare currently does not cover those tests and that legal and reimbursement barriers prevent wide access.
Committee members pressed on cost and private insurance coverage. One participant asked whether private insurers are already covering the blood test; Halton replied, "No. That is the other thing that will open the door. When Medicare covers it, then private insurance will also follow suit." She reported anecdotal out-of-pocket costs around $900 for people who have obtained the test to date.
Halton also highlighted lifestyle evidence and community programs. She summarized results from the U.S. POINTER study on lifestyle interventions (diet, exercise, cognitive activity and heart health) and described free local programs the association runs, including a Brain Health at Work assessment and education, a free one-hour "10 healthy habits for your brain" program, and a trial-match service at alz.org/trialmatch. She cited local research capacity, noting MUSC and the VA are conducting Alzheimer's Association-funded clinical research in Charleston.
Local outreach and fundraising were part of the presentation. Halton noted the Charleston Walk to End Alzheimer's on Oct. 25 at Hampton Park and said the association relies on fundraising events to support free services. Jamie Roer, identified as the event's local chair, encouraged committee participation.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: Halton said she would share contact information in the chat to coordinate local education and trial-recruitment efforts. The committee discussed cost and coverage implications but did not take a formal vote on policy.
Why this matters: If Medicare begins to cover validated blood biomarker tests, clinicians and patients could access earlier, simpler screening through routine visits, which advocates say would expand treatment and research participation. Halton framed the change as "our mammogram moment," comparing it to past diagnostic expansions that improved access.
Authority referenced: the ASAP Act (Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act) was presented as the federal policy vehicle the association is promoting.
The advisory committee did not take formal action on the federal advocacy items; Halton remains the committee's local contact for further coordination.
