MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICES FOR ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE - CURRENT TRENDS IN REIMBURSEMENT AND PUBLIC-POLICY, AND THE FUTURE UNDER MANAGED CARE

Behavioral or psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are strongly related to the use of healthy care services and result in a significa nt emotional and financial burden for families. This paper is an overv iew of major trends in the organization and funding of mental health s ervices for people with Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing specific publ ic policy and reimbursement initiatives that have affected acute and l ong-term care. Recent trends reflecting increased federal scrutiny of Medicare-reimbursed services and the current and future challenges in providing mental health services to people with Alzheimer's disease wi thin managed care and capitated health plans are also addressed.