Cost of Alzheimer's Treatment in Cuba for U.S. Patients

Understanding the Cost for U.S. Patients

The cost of Alzheimer's treatment in Cuba for American patients is determined individually after medical review, based on the patient's cognitive stage, the recommended program duration (typically 4-8 weeks), the level of caregiver participation, and any additional medical needs. SMC Salud provides transparent pricing with a detailed breakdown of all services.

To understand the value, it's important to compare the Cuban program with U.S. Alzheimer's care costs:

U.S. Alzheimer's Care Costs (for comparison)

Annual costs of Alzheimer's care in the United States:

• Lecanemab (Leqembi) — $26,000/year (drug cost alone, before infusion center fees, MRI monitoring, and doctor visits) • Donanemab (Kisunla) — $32,000/year (drug cost alone, plus same monitoring costs) • Total anti-amyloid treatment cost — Often $40,000-$50,000+/year including infusion and monitoring • Memory care facility — $6,000-$12,000/month ($72,000-$144,000/year) • In-home care (40 hours/week) — $4,000-$6,000/month ($48,000-$72,000/year) • Adult day care — $1,500-$3,000/month • U.S. cognitive therapy (if insurance-approved) — $150-$300/session, often limited to 1-2 sessions/week

For the 6.7 million Americans with Alzheimer's, these costs are often unsustainable, especially for middle-class families who don't qualify for Medicaid long-term care but cannot afford private care facilities.

What the Cuban Program Includes

The Cuban Alzheimer's program is comprehensive and all-inclusive:

• Neurological and cognitive assessment — Comprehensive neurological exam, neuropsychological testing, neuroimaging review, and laboratory screening. • NeuroEPO neuroprotective support — Where indicated under research protocols. • Intensive daily therapy — 4-6 hours of daily multidisciplinary therapy including cognitive rehabilitation, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy. • Pharmacological management — Optimization of cholinesterase inhibitors and other medications by a neurologist. • Caregiver education — Structured training in cognitive stimulation, daily-routine support, safety, and communication techniques. • Accommodation — Patient and caregiver accommodation near CIREN in Havana. • Meals — Including special dietary accommodations. • Interpreter services — English-speaking medical interpreters. • Comprehensive medical report — For the patient's U.S. neurologist. • Telemedicine follow-up — Periodic remote consultations after returning to the U.S.

Because the program is all-inclusive (medical care + therapy + accommodation + meals + coordination), the total cost is often more predictable and sometimes lower than a comparable period of U.S. care — especially when considering the intensity of daily therapy provided.

Payment Methods for U.S. Patients

U.S. patients can pay through:

• Secure online payment gateway — Accepting U.S. credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). This is often the most convenient option for Americans. • International bank transfers — In Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), or Canadian Dollars (CAD). USD bank transfers are not accepted. • HSA/FSA — Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account funds may be usable for qualified medical expenses abroad. Consult your plan administrator to confirm eligibility. SMC Salud provides the medical documentation and itemized invoices needed for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

U.S. health insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance) typically does not cover treatment in Cuba. Patients are responsible for the full cost. SMC Salud provides comprehensive documentation that may support insurance reimbursement claims or tax deductions for medical expenses (consult your tax advisor about the medical expense deduction, which allows deduction of medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income).

To receive a personalized cost estimate, submit your medical records (neuropsychological testing, MRI, blood work, medication list) for review. The medical team will provide a treatment proposal with transparent pricing within 5-10 business days.