Illinois Lawmakers Push to Expand Alzheimer’s Treatment Coverage
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois legislature has passed a bill that would expand access to Alzheimer’s treatment by requiring health insurance plans to cover medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications. This development comes after a law passed last year mandated the state employees insurance program to cover such treatments.
The new bill, known as Senate Bill 126, received unanimous support in both the House and Senate. It aims to ensure that all health insurance plans regulated by the state, including private plans, self-insuring counties, municipalities, and school districts, cover diagnostic testing and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Rep. Mary Gill (D-Chicago) explained that the requirement would apply to various health insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations and limited health service organizations. Gill noted that the proposal was reached in agreement with the insurance industry and other stakeholders.
The law passed last year required coverage for diagnostic testing starting July 1 to help doctors determine the best treatment or medication for patients. The new bill builds upon this by expanding the coverage requirement to more health insurance plans.
The bill’s unanimous passage in both chambers indicates broad support for expanding access to Alzheimer’s treatment in Illinois. The measure now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for final approval.
