·Federal program
CMS GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience)
Medicare innovation model providing comprehensive dementia care coordination, caregiver education and training, and up to $2,500/year in respite services for qualifying caregivers. Launched July 2024 for an 8-year demonstration period (Section 1115A authority). Two participation tracks: Established Program Track (July 2024) and New Program Track (July 2025). CMS currently lists 320 participants. Care recipients must be enrolled in Traditional Medicare Parts A and B and not enrolled in Medicare Advantage, PACE, or hospice. As of July 1, 2026: patients living in memory care units are not eligible for GUIDE; patients in Residential Care Communities (RCCs) may receive most GUIDE services, including caregiver education and support, but are not eligible for GUIDE Respite Services. Duplicate records medicare-guide and medicare-guide-model point to this canonical record.
What it offers
Comprehensive dementia care package delivered through GUIDE participants: care navigation, clinical and community-service coordination, caregiver training and education, 24/7 support access, connections to community resources, and respite services up to $2,500 annually for qualifying caregivers. Respite may include in-home care, adult day center programs, and facility-based respite. CMS currently lists 320 participants. Patients must meet GUIDE eligibility and align through a participating provider; availability depends on the provider's service area. As of July 2026, memory care unit residents are not eligible, while RCC residents may receive most GUIDE services but are not eligible for GUIDE Respite Services.
Questions that decide eligibility
GiveCare prepares the questions; the program makes the decision. Bring these to the call or the application:
- 01
What counts as a qualifying disability or level of care need, and what documentation shows it?
- 02
Does the VA disability rating meet the program’s minimum (our record lists null%)?
- 03
Do the work hours meet the minimum (our record lists null hours)?
- 04
Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name.
Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
- 05
What documents do you need from us to start an application?
- 06
Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?