Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to test the Medicare dementia care model

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) selected Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Group (LLUFMG) to participate in a new Medicare alternative payment model designed to support people with dementia and their caregivers. Under CMS' Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, LLUFMG is one of almost 400 participants building Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) across the country, working to increase care coordination and improve access to services and supports, including respite care, for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

"Loma Linda University Health is proud to be a part of the GUIDE Model. This initiative aligns with our commitment to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for people living with dementia and their caregivers," said Wessam Labib, MD, medical director of geriatric medicine at Loma Linda University Health’s Department of Family Medicine.

Launched on July 1, the GUIDE Model introduces innovative features such as the implementation of Dementia Care Programs (DCPs) that focus on critical supportive services. These services include comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans, round-the-clock access to interdisciplinary care team members or helplines, and respite care for caregivers. A key aspect of the program is the introduction of Care Navigators, a unique feature that will assist patients and caregivers in accessing clinical and non-clinical services, such as meals and transportation, through community-based organizations.

"Participating in the GUIDE Model is a significant step forward for our geriatric services," Labib said. "By providing our patients with more robust support systems, we aim to reduce the burden on caregivers and help more individuals with dementia stay in their homes and communities longer."

Loma Linda University Health is the heart of a Blue Zone, with a strong emphasis on addressing the unique needs of older adults. The GUIDE Model provides an opportunity to further these efforts by integrating additional resources and support structures that can improve patient outcomes and caregiver well-being.

This model delivers on a promise in the Biden-Harris Administration's Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers and aligns with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. For more information on CMS' GUIDE Model, please visit https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide.

To learn more, contact Ruben Murillo, GUIDE care navigator at Loma Linda University Health, 909-558-6600, rmurillo@llu.edu.

Meet the team left to right:

Wessam Labib, medical director, Kimberly LaBelle, geriatric manager Ruben Murillo, GUIDE care navigator, Chad Cole, program provider