Alzheimer’s Early Detection Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
Introduced
Summary
Requires coverage of Alzheimer’s biomarker testing in private group and individual health plans and Medicaid to help detect, diagnose, and guide treatment for Alzheimer’s disease early and equitably.
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- Families and people at risk would get coverage for biomarker tests used for early detection, risk stratification, diagnosis, treatment eligibility, or ongoing monitoring. Plans could not impose separate cost sharing and could not apply more restrictive treatment limits than other medical benefits.
- Medicaid enrollees would be entitled to the same biomarker testing benefits and access rules as private plan enrollees, with Medicaid rules matching the private coverage standards.
- Health plans and insurers would have to decide prior authorization requests within 72 hours or within 24 hours in urgent cases, or the request is treated as approved. Plans may not require step therapy before providing testing and must promote equitable access, including minimally invasive options for rural and underserved populations.
- The National Institutes of Health would contract with the National Academies to study and report on the value of biomarker testing within 1 year and annually for two more years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Defines qualifying biomarker tests
If enacted, the bill would define what counts as an Alzheimer’s biomarker test. Tests of blood, tissue, or other samples would qualify when used for early detection, risk stratification, diagnosis, treatment decisions, or ongoing monitoring. A test would only qualify if it meets FDA labeling, helps decide or manage an FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drug, is covered by a Medicare national coverage decision, or follows independent clinical practice guidelines or consensus statements. The definition would take effect for plan years beginning one year after enactment.
Medicaid must cover biomarker tests
If enacted, Medicaid would have to cover Alzheimer’s biomarker testing as a mandatory medical service. States would need to provide tests in the same way private plans must, including no separate cost-sharing or special treatment limits, no step therapy before testing, and fast prior-authorization rules with deemed approval on delay. The Medicaid requirement would apply to calendar quarters starting one year after enactment.
Private plans must cover tests
If enacted, group and individual private health plans would have to cover Alzheimer’s biomarker testing. Coverage would start for plan years beginning one year after enactment. Plans must not impose separate cost-sharing or special treatment limits for these tests, and they may not require step therapy before testing. If prior authorization is used, plans must decide within 72 hours (24 hours if delay risks life or health), and a missed deadline counts as approval. Plans would also need to promote equitable access, including for rural and underserved areas, and support minimally invasive testing when appropriate.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
AZ • R
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 8/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov