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The days of expensive PET scans and invasive spinal taps for Alzheimer’s diagnosis are now behind us.
In a groundbreaking policy shift, CMS has finalized a $130 reimbursement rate for the newly FDA-approved blood tests that detect Alzheimer’s biomarkers.
Why this matters to every healthcare provider:
• These blood tests cost 80-90% less than traditional diagnostics
• They deliver results with 97.9% negative predictive value
• They’re FDA-approved for adults 55+ showing cognitive symptoms
• Primary care physicians can now rule out Alzheimer’s without specialist referrals
But the real impact goes beyond diagnostics.
This decision directly connects to the new wave of disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatments. Earlier diagnosis means earlier treatment, potentially slowing cognitive decline by 30-60% in eligible patients.
For FQHCs and community health centers, this opens a pathway to offer high-quality diagnostic services that were previously available only at specialized centers.
For hospital executives, this represents a new revenue opportunity while dramatically improving the patient journey. The days of 18-month waits for memory clinic appointments may soon be over.
For imaging centers, this requires strategic planning. While PET scans remain the gold standard for amyloid confirmation, blood tests will reshape patient flow and referral patterns.
The bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act introduced this month aims to further streamline coverage, ensuring these tests reach Medicare beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
As healthcare leaders, we now have a powerful new tool in addressing one of our most challenging conditions. The question isn’t whether to implement these tests, but how quickly and effectively you can integrate them into your care pathways.
What’s your organization’s plan for implementing these breakthrough diagnostics?
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Author:
Jonathan Govette is a seasoned healthcare and technology executive with more than two decades of experience building, scaling, and advising digital health companies. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Oatmeal Health, an AI-driven Lung Cancer Screening and Diagnostics company focused on expanding access to early detection for underrepresented populations, particularly patients served by Federally Qualified Health Centers and value-based health plans.
With a background in engineering, product development, and strategic partnerships, Jonathan has founded and led multiple health technology ventures across clinical care delivery, regulated medical software, and AI-enabled diagnostics. His work sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and health equity, with a consistent focus on translating complex clinical problems into scalable, real-world solutions.
Jonathan has spent much of his professional life dedicated to improving outcomes for marginalized and underserved communities. He has designed and implemented frameworks that align clinical quality, reimbursement, and technology to sustainably advance health equity at scale. This mission is deeply personal and informs his leadership philosophy and long-term vision for healthcare transformation.
In addition to his operating experience, Jonathan is an author and long-time writer in the healthcare domain, with over 20 years of published work covering digital health, medical innovation, and healthcare systems. He is a frequent mentor to early-stage founders and regularly advises startups on product strategy, partnerships, and go-to-market execution in regulated healthcare environments.
Before entering industry full-time, Jonathan nearly pursued a career in medicine with an early path toward cardiothoracic surgery, an experience that continues to shape his clinical perspective and respect for frontline care delivery.
CEO | Oatmeal Health | AI Lung Cancer Startup | Engineer | Writer | Almost Became a Doctor (Cardiac Thoracic Surgeon) | 3x Health Tech Founder | Startup Mentor | Follow to share what I’ve learned along the way.
