Medicare cuts projected spending on new Alzheimer’s drugs as uptake remains low

Medicare is spending far less on the recently approved Alzheimer’s treatments Leqembi and Kisunla than officials had anticipated. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the agency does not expect significant outlays for these drugs in 2026 or 2027, a sharp reversal from earlier projections that forecast billions in annual costs.

Neurologists and Medicare experts attribute the muted adoption to the drugs’ complex intravenous administration, which requires extensive imaging, and the limited pool of eligible patients. Uncertainty about the clinical benefits further dampens enthusiasm among prescribers.

The lower spending outlook highlights the challenges new Alzheimer’s therapies face in gaining traction within the Medicare system, despite their recent regulatory approvals.

Industry observers note that the limited uptake could affect future investment and development strategies for similar high‑cost, high‑complexity treatments.