STAT+: Medicare is spending far less than expected on new Alzheimer’s drugs

STAT PlusExclusive Medicare is spending far less than expected on new Alzheimer’s drugs Complicated use and uncertain benefits of Leqembi and Kisunla stunt uptake Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanMay 11, 2026 Bob Herman is the author of Health Care Inc., an award-winning weekly newsletter about the business of health and medicine. Bob Herman[email protected]Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. People on Medicare are not getting the recently approved Alzheimer’s medications nearly as much as federal officials anticipated. Uptake for the drugs, Leqembi and Kisunla, has been so muted that Medicare is not forecasting significant spending on them in 2026 or 2027, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told STAT. It’s a dramatic shift from two years ago, when Medicare projected it would spend billions of dollars annually on Leqembi alone.Advertisement The lower-than-expected spending lines up with the challenges that the Alzheimer’s drugs have faced since their approvals, neurologists and Medicare experts told STAT: The intravenous medications are not easy to administer and require a lot of imaging; the population of eligible patients is limited; and the drugs continue to have little meaningful benefits while carrying a risk of severe side effects like brain bleeding. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In Biogen, biotechnology, CMS, drug development, Drug prices, Eli Lilly, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob Herman covers health insurance, government programs, hospitals, physicians, and other providers — reporting on how money influences those businesses and shapes what we all pay for care. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Health May 11, 2026 STAT Plus: Five years after disaster, a rare disease community gets new chance at treatment Biotech May 8, 2026 The biotechs wear Prada Advertisement The Readout May 8, 2026 STAT Plus: The biotech news you need to read today The Readout May 7, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA revisits a rare cancer treatment it rejected a few months ago Biotech May 7, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA to reconsider treatment for rare cancer after its surprise rejection Subscriber Picks