GUIDE
GUIDE — your questions, answered
The Medicare GUIDE model launched in 2024. It's still new — and the rules are still being explained badly. Here are the most common confusions.
Updated 2026-02-20
Top FAQs
- GUIDE is for the PATIENT with dementia, not the caregiver — but the navigator coordinates with whoever is providing care.
- You cannot be on Medicare Advantage AND GUIDE simultaneously; you must be on traditional Medicare.
- GUIDE doesn't replace the neurologist — the navigator coordinates with them.
- Hospice and GUIDE don't overlap — choosing hospice ends GUIDE eligibility.
- PACE and GUIDE don't overlap either.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I switch from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare for GUIDE?
- During the Annual Election Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) or via Special Enrollment if you qualify.
- Does GUIDE replace my supplemental (Medigap) coverage?
- No. Medigap continues to cover the gaps in traditional Medicare.
Every dementia journey is different.
Memory Lane Care helps you understand what applies to your loved one, what to expect next, and which resources fit your family's situation.
Related across the journey
Memory Lane connects every part of dementia care. Here's how this topic threads into the rest.
Paying for Care
Resources
Behavior Guidance
Treatments
Keep reading
GUIDE
Am I eligible for Medicare GUIDE?
GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a Medicare program launched in 2024 that gives families a care navigator, 24/7 helpline, caregiver training, and up to $2,500/year in respite — all at no copay.
GUIDE
Finding a GUIDE provider in your state
GUIDE is delivered through participating health systems. The list is growing — but it isn't everywhere yet.
Paying for Care
What Medicare covers for dementia care
Medicare covers a lot of medical care — and almost no long-term care. Knowing the line saves families thousands.
Paying for Care
Medicare vs Medicaid
Medicare is age-based (65+) and covers acute care. Medicaid is income-based and covers long-term care. Most families need both before this is over.
Learning
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking, or behavior serious enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a normal part of aging.
Resources
Home health vs hospice — they sound similar; they're not
Families confuse these two all the time, and the difference shapes everything from cost to care intensity to what gets covered.
Resources
Where to find respite care that families actually use
Respite isn't a luxury — it's how caregivers stay alive long enough to keep caregiving. Here's where the money is.
Learning
Caregiver burnout: the warning signs
Burnout is not a feeling — it's a physiological state. Catching it early lets you act before you (or your loved one) gets hurt.