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The dementia program most families have never heard of.

Medicare's GUIDE Model covers care coordination, caregiver support, and up to $2,500 per year in respite services at no extra cost to patients. ANSA is the only private physician's office in Los Angeles selected to offer it.

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CMS certified practice No referral needed Telehealth across 5 states
Medicare GUIDE Model

Enrolled at ANSA Neurology

Benefits available to eligible Medicare patients now

Dedicated care navigator
A single point of contact for all coordination
Included
Caregiver education & training
Structured support for families managing care
Included
Respite care benefit
Temporary relief so primary caregivers can rest
Up to $2,500/yr
24/7 support line
Phone access to guidance when questions can't wait
Always on

No additional cost to Medicare patients. No referral required.

About the Program

A Medicare program that covers what most families didn't know existed.

The GUIDE Model, which stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, is an innovation program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched in July 2024. It was built to address a gap that families living with dementia know all too well: the diagnosis happens, and then what?

Before GUIDE, care coordination, caregiver support, and respite were largely left to families to figure out on their own, at significant expense and effort. GUIDE changes that by covering these services under Medicare at no additional cost.

Participating practices go through a rigorous application and approval process. ANSA is the only private physician's office in Los Angeles that completed that process and was accepted, alongside large hospital systems and universities.

Why GUIDE was created
The gap in dementia care
What families face without it

Standard Medicare covers the diagnosis and medication, not the coordination, navigation, and family support that follow

Caregivers often spend 40 or more hours per week managing care with little guidance and no financial relief

Without coordination, patients frequently end up in unnecessary emergency visits and avoidable hospitalizations

GUIDE fills each of these gaps with covered services, delivered through an enrolled practice like ANSA

Eligibility

Who can enroll in GUIDE?

Eligibility is straightforward. If you or a family member checks the items on the right, you are likely a candidate for enrollment at ANSA.

Both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries may qualify. Enrollment happens directly through ANSA, and no referral from a primary care physician is required.

You do not need a separate referral to enroll.
Call (818) 265-2245 or use the form below. Dr. Akopian will confirm eligibility at your first visit.
  • Enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
    Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage patients may qualify. Our team can help you check which plan you have.
  • Diagnosed with dementia of any type
    Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other types all qualify.
  • Living in the community
    GUIDE is designed for patients living at home or in a community setting, not those in a skilled nursing facility.
  • A caregiver or care partner involved
    GUIDE works best with a family member or trusted person involved. Education and support are provided for them too.
  • Care from an enrolled GUIDE practice
    You must receive your dementia care from a GUIDE enrolled practice. ANSA is enrolled and accepting new patients.
What Medicare Covers

Four benefits. All covered. No extra cost.

Under GUIDE, Medicare covers a suite of services that most families would otherwise pay for privately or simply go without.

Care Navigation

A dedicated navigator for your whole journey

GUIDE assigns a care navigator who coordinates appointments, helps with care transitions, connects you to resources, and stays as your consistent point of contact throughout. Fully covered under Medicare.

No copay, no deductible for navigation services

Caregiver Education & Training

Structured support for the people providing care

Family members and care partners receive formal education covering what to expect as the disease progresses, how to manage daily challenges, communication strategies, and planning ahead for future needs.

Education sessions at no additional cost

Respite Care

Financial relief when the caregiver needs a break

GUIDE covers up to $2,500 per year in respite services, meaning temporary care in the home, at an adult day program, or at a short term facility, so that the primary caregiver can rest. Almost no one knows this benefit exists.

Up to $2,500 per calendar year in respite

24/7 Support Line
Around the clock access when questions can't wait
GUIDE participants have telephone access to guidance and support outside of regular office hours. Questions about behaviors, medications, safety concerns, or what to do next no longer have to wait until Monday morning.
24/7
Always Available
For Families & Caregivers

GUIDE was built with caregivers in mind.

Dementia does not just affect the person with the diagnosis. It reshapes daily life for every member of the family. GUIDE wraps support around the entire household, not just the patient.

What Caregivers Receive

Real support, not just information

  • Direct access to your care navigator
    One person who knows your situation and helps coordinate next steps, answer questions, and connect you to the right resources.
  • Education on the disease and what to expect
    Structured sessions to help caregivers understand the progression, manage behaviors, and build confidence in daily care decisions.
  • Connection to community resources
    Your navigator can connect you to local support groups, adult day programs, meal services, and legal and financial planning resources.
  • Home safety and planning guidance
    Guidance on home modifications, fall prevention, driving conversations, and managing behavioral changes as the disease progresses.
Respite Care, Explained

Time to rest. Covered by Medicare.

  • What respite care is
    Temporary relief for a primary caregiver, provided by a home health aide, an adult day program, or a short term care facility.
  • How much Medicare covers
    Under GUIDE, up to $2,500 per calendar year in respite services is covered. That is a meaningful benefit for families who would otherwise pay out of pocket.
  • How it gets arranged
    ANSA's care navigator helps identify the right respite option and coordinates the process so you don't have to figure it out alone.
$2,500
annual respite benefit · covered by Medicare · through GUIDE
Why ANSA

Selected because of a genuine commitment to dementia care.

The GUIDE program does not accept every practice that applies. CMS vets each applicant for clinical readiness, dementia expertise, and organizational capacity to deliver the full suite of GUIDE services. ANSA completed that process and was accepted.

Most GUIDE practices are large hospital systems or group practices. ANSA is the only private physician's office in Los Angeles to have been selected. That means your family receives the same level of care coordination in a small, personal practice where Dr. Akopian knows you by name.

CMS GUIDE Enrolled Practice Board Certified Neurologist Keck USC Trained Telehealth across 5 states
Ask about GUIDE enrollment
How Enrollment Works

Four steps to getting your family enrolled and supported.

Enrolling in the GUIDE program at ANSA is simple. Most families are fully set up within one to two visits.

1

Schedule a consultation

Call (818) 265-2245 or use the form below. Let us know you are interested in GUIDE enrollment and we will schedule your first appointment.

2

Confirm eligibility

At your first visit, Dr. Akopian reviews the diagnosis, confirms your Medicare eligibility, and completes any additional cognitive evaluation needed.

3

Meet your care navigator

You are connected with ANSA's dedicated care navigator, who learns your situation, your family's needs, and begins building your care plan.

4

GUIDE services begin

Your navigator coordinates care, caregiver education starts, your 24/7 support line is active, and your respite benefit is available to use.

Get in Touch

Ask about GUIDE enrollment

Call or reach out below. Our team will respond within one business day to discuss eligibility and schedule your first GUIDE visit.

Call
(818) 265-2245
Visit
1451 E Chevy Chase Dr, Ste 201Glendale, CA 91206
Hours
Mon to Thu · 8:30am to 4:00pmFri · 8:30am to 12:00pm
Telehealth
California · Florida · Illinois · North Carolina · Oklahoma
GUIDE Enrollment Inquiry

Tell us about your situation

Share a few details and our team will reach out to discuss GUIDE eligibility. For medical emergencies, call 911.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request. We never share your information.