Gates Says Alzheimer's Tests Struggle to Reach Patients
Bill Gates says delivering new blood tests and treatments to patients is the biggest challenge in Alzheimer's care.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Bill Gates said the biggest challenge in Alzheimer's care is getting new blood tests and treatments to patients. Specialists have reported slow uptake of the new options, even as the FDA has approved several.
Why it matters
Many patients and doctors may not know the tests and treatments are available, and coverage gaps limit access. Medicare coverage in the U.S. depends on where a patient lives, and it does not cover screening for cognitively healthy people.
Two Alzheimer's blood tests became available last year and the FDA approved two more in August, with two antibody therapies that clear amyloid also approved. Uptake figures were not reported, and the extent of slow adoption remains unquantified.
The players
Bill Gates
Bill Gates is a philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft who has funded Alzheimer's research since 2017.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency that approves medical tests and treatments, including the Alzheimer's blood tests and antibody therapies cited here.
The details
Blood tests detect signs of Alzheimer's through a simpler procedure than brain scans or spinal taps, and primary care doctors can order them while memory specialists typically prescribe treatment. Gates has funded Alzheimer's research since 2017, and some treatments require infusions every two weeks for an extended period.
Timeline
Last year: first two Alzheimer's blood tests became available.
July: FDA approved an injectable Alzheimer's treatment that patients can administer at home.
August: FDA approved two more Alzheimer's blood tests.
Health Landscape
The FDA's approval of amyloid-clearing antibody therapies marked a shift toward disease-modifying Alzheimer's care. The story extends that shift by showing that approval alone has not translated into widespread use of new tests and treatments.
Patients may need to ask their primary care doctor about Alzheimer's blood tests, since those doctors can order them. Anyone considering treatment should check whether Medicare coverage applies, because it depends on where they live.
The takeaway
Availability of new Alzheimer's tools does not guarantee access, so patients and families benefit from asking their doctors directly about testing and treatment options. Checking local Medicare coverage before pursuing care can prevent unexpected costs.
Further reading
Explore more on Alzheimer's research and treatment access.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Benzinga.
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Do you think the U.S. healthcare system is delivering new Alzheimer's treatments to people who need them?
