Startling numbers are out showing that almost 20% of the medicaid budget in Indiana is used for one specific disease.

In 2017, Indiana approved a two-year budget. In that budget, $3.7 Billion was appropriated for Medicaid. The Federal government kicks in another $7 Billion plus for matching percentages. The total spending for Medicaid in Indiana over two years will be $10.5 Billion plus. Alzheimer care runs around $1.9 Billion in that same two-time period making it 18% of the Indiana medicaid expenditures.

A new study is out showing Medicaid expenditures at WFYI.com:

The report estimates Indiana Medicaid spending on Alzheimer’s care this year will top $980 million.

A new look at Indiana Alzheimer’s numbers shows in 2015 at least 2,513 Hoosiers died from the disease, a 14 percent increase from the previous year. Saxman says about 110,000 Hoosiers live with the disease and likely more.

“You know we don’t have a good reporting system for Alzheimer’s and dementia diagnosis so it probably is a little under reported,” say Saxman.

The report indicates the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise 18 percent by 2025.