In July 2011, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed the Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease to develop Indiana’s plan to address Alzheimer's disease. The Task Force included representatives from state agencies, nonprofit organizations, care provider agencies as well as state legislators, researchers, issue experts, caregivers, and health care providers. Following public input sessions, the Task Force published the Indiana Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias 2013-2017. In 2021, following advocacy by the Alzheimer's Association, state lawmakers enacted HB 1177 (Public Law 36 of 2021) requiring an updated state Alzheimer’s plan that includes a comprehensive needs assessment and ensures a focus on key priorities including early detection and diagnosis; strengthening the dementia care workforce; increasing access to home and community-based services; and improving quality of care. The plan was released in December of 2021.

Authorize a Medicaid Billing Code for Dementia Services 

Individuals living with dementia have unique care needs, and states must ensure these individuals are effectively served by the Medicaid program. In Indiana, Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for important dementia care planning services, however, those on Medicaid are not. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on the Indiana Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to authorize a Medicaid billing code for certain physicians and practitioners to bill Medicaid for dementia care planning services.