Author Health® Officially Launches in CMS's New Innovative Dementia Care Model

BOSTON, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Author Health^®, a specialized provider of mental health and dementia care for Medicare recipients, announced that it has officially launched in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) new program for innovative dementia care, the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. The GUIDE Model aims to improve quality of life for people living with dementia, keep them in their homes and communities longer, and provide critical support for caregivers, including caregiver skills training, caregiver-focused education, and access to respite services. Author Health, which already offers a comprehensive dementia care program, is now actively working with its provider partners to help patients and caregivers access GUIDE Model benefits.

Approximately 6.7 million Americans have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia,¹ and an estimated 11 million Americans function as unpaid caregivers for these adults.² Direct medical costs for dementia are an estimated $80 billion a year³, and the indirect costs and emotional toll on those in support roles are significant. Through the GUIDE Model, CMS is testing a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to delivering and funding care to address the unique health and social needs of individuals with dementia.

"Given the aging population in the United States, increasing prevalence of dementia, and associated costs, CMS leadership and innovation is critically important for developing and testing sustainable care delivery models," said Katherine Hobbs, CEO at Author Health. "The GUIDE Model offers even greater benefits and essential services that extend the reach of our team-based, integrated and personalized treatment for patients and their caregivers living with dementia. We are honored to participate and appreciate the alignment to deliver high quality and cost-effective care." 

Like other CMS value-based programs, the GUIDE Model replaces traditional fee-for-service reimbursement with an alternative payment model that promotes high-quality, coordinated, and interdisciplinary care. Participating providers receive a per-beneficiary, per-month stipend when they follow the model's comprehensive, standardized care delivery approach, which is notable in that it puts dementia caregivers front and center alongside the patients. In addition to the personalized care plan for the individual with dementia, the model also includes financial assistance for respite services, around-the-clock phone support, and educational resources for caregivers.

The 390 participants selected by CMS represent a broad range of stakeholders, including health systems, primary care practices, home health providers, long-term care facilities, accountable care organizations (ACOs), and more. At the same time that these organizations are striving to meet the program's goals for patients and caregivers, they are also helping accelerate CMS's transition to value-based care.

One of the reasons that treating dementia is so challenging is that people with this condition present in very complex and heterogenous ways–and often with a variety of psychiatric symptoms, including depression and apathy, agitation and aggression, anxiety and irritability, wandering, and sometimes paranoia and hallucinations. While the prevalence of specific symptoms varies, approximately 75% of patients with dementia experience psychiatric symptoms of some kind, and over 60% are categorized as clinically significant.⁴ As a mental health provider, Author Health has a full team of experienced dementia care specialists who work together to address the cognitive challenges as well as the behavioral complications that often co-occur with dementia.

"People living with dementia rarely get the opportunity to share their whole story and almost none have the opportunity to work with a dedicated care team that is tailored to meet their unique and complex needs," added Dr. Manjola Van Alphen, Chief Medical Officer at Author Health. "The situation isn't much better for the family members and friends who take care of them. They often feel like no one is in charge, and sadly, in many cases that's true. With its comprehensive approach to care coordination and its emphasis on both patient and caregiver support, the GUIDE program aligns seamlessly with the core principles of our current dementia program, offering a standardized, high-quality model of care that is truly transformative."

About Author Health
Author Health is a specialized mental health provider dedicated to serving Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Special Needs Plan recipients living with mental health disorders and dementia.

Through a virtual-first care model that is integrated with primary care, Author Health seamlessly integrates clinical expertise, care management, and community support to deliver comprehensive mental health services that improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Founded in 2022 by leading behavioral health experts and backed by premier healthcare investors, Author Health's tech-enabled platform makes quality mental healthcare accessible to historically underserved populations.

Author Health currently operates in Florida and Texas, partnering with health plans and provider groups (PCPs and hospital systems) to transform mental healthcare delivery. For more information, please visit www.authorhealth.com.

The statements contained in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CMS. The authors assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this document.

Media Contact:
Poorwa Bhaskar
Chief of Staff
1-800-423-4400
[email protected]

¹ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (n.d.). Guiding an improved dementia experience (GUIDE) model overview factsheet. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide
² The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024, September 2). Caregivers of a person with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. https://www.cdc.gov/caregiving/about/index.html
³ Lastuka, A., Breshock, M. R., McHugh, T. A., Sogge, W. T., Swart, V., & Dieleman, J. L. (2024). U.S. dementia care spending by state: 2010–2019. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 20(4), 2742–2751. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13746
⁴ Lyketsos, C. G., Lopez, O., Jones, B., Fitzpatrick, A. L., Breitner, J., DeKosky, S., & the Cardiovascular Health Study. (2002). Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and mild cognitive impairment. JAMA, 288(12), 1475–1483. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.12.1475

SOURCE Author Health