Medicare GUIDE Program
Home Care in San Diego
Covered by Medicare. Delivered at home. Cognihealth is a Medicare GUIDE program partner in San Diego County. If your loved one has a dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare Parts A & B, they may qualify for comprehensive care navigation, 24/7 clinical support, and up to $2,500/year in in-home respite care — at no cost.
What Is GUIDE?
The Medicare GUIDE Program — Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience
The GUIDE Model is an eight-year nationwide program launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on July 1, 2024. It provides Medicare coverage for comprehensive dementia care coordination services that were previously unavailable — including care navigation, caregiver education, 24/7 clinical access, and in-home respite care reimbursement.
A New Standard of Dementia Care
For decades, families caring for a loved one with dementia navigated the journey largely on their own — piecing together support from physicians, specialists, and agencies with little coordination between them. The GUIDE program changes that by funding a dedicated care team that actively coordinates every aspect of a participant's dementia care.
For eligible families, all GUIDE program services are fully covered by Medicare with no co-pays and no out-of-pocket costs. This is support your family has already paid for through Medicare — and Cognihealth is one of the local partners making it accessible in San Diego County.
Cognihealth's Role as a GUIDE Partner
Cognihealth serves as the in-home care partner in the GUIDE program — providing the hands-on caregiving that complements the clinical navigation services delivered by Tembo Health and PocketRN, both CMS-approved GUIDE program participants operating in San Diego County.
When a GUIDE-enrolled family needs in-home support, Cognihealth's dementia-trained caregivers step in directly. Every Cognihealth caregiver is background-checked, state-registered, and trained in specialized dementia care — experienced in supporting clients across all stages of Alzheimer's and dementia.
per year in in-home respite care reimbursement available to eligible GUIDE participants. This benefit is fully covered by traditional Medicare with no co-pays and no out-of-pocket cost to your family. Cognihealth provides the respite care that qualifies for this reimbursement throughout San Diego County.
Do You Qualify?
Who Qualifies for the Medicare GUIDE Program?
Eligibility is straightforward. If your loved one meets the following criteria, they may qualify for GUIDE program benefits at no cost. Call Cognihealth at (619) 800-5730 to confirm eligibility in under ten minutes.
- Has a diagnosis of dementia — including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, or a related condition
- Is enrolled in traditional Medicare Part A and Part B — not Medicare Advantage
- Lives at home, in an assisted living community, or in an independent living community
- Is not currently receiving hospice care or residing in a skilled nursing facility
- VA patients and dual-eligible Medicaid patients may also be eligible — contact Cognihealth to confirm
- Does not yet have a formal dementia diagnosis? Cognihealth's GUIDE program partners can help arrange a comprehensive assessment. A diagnosis is required for enrollment, but obtaining one is part of the support these programs provide.
"We had no idea this program existed. Our mother qualified immediately. Within two weeks we had a care navigator, 24/7 clinical support, and Cognihealth caregivers coming to the house — all covered by her Medicare. We finally feel like we're not doing this alone."
— Family client, La Jolla
Program Benefits
What Does the GUIDE Program Provide?
Through Cognihealth's partnerships with Tembo Health and PocketRN, eligible families in San Diego County receive the following services — all covered by Medicare.
Dedicated Dementia Care Navigation
A trained care navigator works directly with your family to coordinate care, connect you with local resources, answer questions, and provide ongoing guidance throughout every stage of the dementia journey.
In-Home Respite Care Reimbursement
Eligible families may receive up to $2,500 per year in reimbursement for in-home respite care — allowing family caregivers to take genuine, necessary breaks while their loved one is supported by a trained Cognihealth caregiver.
24/7 Clinical Access
Families have around-the-clock access to a clinical support team — including nurse practitioners and physicians — for questions, concerns, and urgent guidance at any hour of the day or night.
Caregiver Education & Support
Structured education programs, coaching sessions, support groups, and dementia-specific resources to help family caregivers feel informed, prepared, and less isolated in the caregiving role.
Care Coordination with Existing Providers
The GUIDE care team works alongside your loved one's existing physicians and specialists — not instead of them — to fill gaps in dementia-specific support and ensure care is coordinated and consistent.
In-Home Care from Cognihealth
Cognihealth's dementia-trained caregivers provide the hands-on in-home support that makes GUIDE program participation sustainable — personal care, companionship, medication reminders, safety supervision, and more.
What Cognihealth Provides
Cognihealth's In-Home Care Services for GUIDE Participants
When a GUIDE-enrolled family in San Diego County needs in-home support, Cognihealth's dementia-trained caregivers provide all of the following — with dementia expertise woven into every visit.
- Personal care — bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility
- Medication reminders and adherence support
- Meal preparation and nutrition support
- Companionship and cognitive engagement activities
- Safety supervision and fall prevention
- Sundowning management and behavioral support
- Overnight and live-in care when needed
- Respite coverage for family caregivers
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Family communication and care updates
families in San Diego and Imperial Counties are currently caring for a loved one with dementia — many without access to coordinated professional support. The GUIDE program changes that, and Cognihealth is one of the local partners making it accessible.
Our GUIDE Program Partners
Tembo Health & PocketRN — Cognihealth's Clinical Partners
Cognihealth partners with two CMS-approved GUIDE program participant organizations to deliver a complete care experience to enrolled families in San Diego County.
Tembo Health
Tembo Health is a CMS-approved GUIDE program participant providing virtual dementia care navigation with 24/7 access to physicians and nurse practitioners. Tembo Health is active in San Diego County through a partnership with the Southern Caregiver Resource Center. For families enrolled through Tembo Health, Cognihealth provides the in-home caregiving that complements their clinical care coordination.
PocketRN
PocketRN is a CMS-approved GUIDE program participant providing virtual nursing and comprehensive care coordination for people living with dementia. PocketRN's clinical team manages care navigation, caregiver education, and 24/7 clinical support. Cognihealth partners with PocketRN to deliver in-home caregiving services to GUIDE-enrolled families throughout San Diego County.
Getting Started
How to Enroll in the Medicare GUIDE Program in San Diego
The enrollment process is straightforward and handled with support from Cognihealth's care coordinators every step of the way.
Contact Cognihealth
Call (619) 800-5730 or complete the free consultation request at cognihealthhomecare.com/contact. A care coordinator will listen to your family's situation and confirm whether your loved one meets the GUIDE program eligibility criteria — usually in under ten minutes.
Connect with a GUIDE Program Participant
Cognihealth connects your family with Tembo Health or PocketRN for formal GUIDE program enrollment. The process is straightforward and handled with your Cognihealth care coordinator. If your loved one does not yet have a formal dementia diagnosis, our partners can help arrange an assessment.
Care Begins
Once enrolled, your family receives a dedicated care navigator, 24/7 clinical support, caregiver education resources, and access to in-home respite care through Cognihealth — all covered by traditional Medicare with no co-pays and no out-of-pocket costs.
Cognihealth & the GUIDE Program
Supporting San Diego's Dementia Families Through Medicare
Cognihealth is one of very few home care agencies in San Diego County participating in the Medicare GUIDE program. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured in the state of California.
Out-of-Pocket Cost
All GUIDE services covered by traditional Medicare
Respite Benefit
Annual in-home respite reimbursement for eligible families
Clinical Access
Around-the-clock support from physicians and nurses
Program Duration
CMS GUIDE program runs through 2032
Service Area
Medicare GUIDE Program in San Diego County — Communities We Serve
Cognihealth provides GUIDE program in-home care support throughout San Diego County, with active caregiver networks in the following communities and all surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare GUIDE Program — Questions San Diego Families Ask Most
Clear, direct answers to the questions Cognihealth hears most from families considering the GUIDE program in San Diego County.
The GUIDE Model — Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience — is an eight-year CMS Innovation program that provides Medicare coverage for comprehensive dementia care coordination services, including care navigation, caregiver education, 24/7 clinical access, and in-home respite care reimbursement. It launched on July 1, 2024 and runs through 2032.
Yes. For eligible seniors enrolled in traditional Medicare Parts A and B, all GUIDE program services are fully covered by Medicare with no co-pays and no out-of-pocket costs.
No. The GUIDE program is only available to seniors enrolled in traditional Medicare (Parts A and B). Medicare Advantage plan members are not eligible for the GUIDE program.
Eligible GUIDE participants may receive up to $2,500 per year in reimbursement for in-home respite care services, allowing family caregivers to take planned breaks while their loved one receives professional in-home support from a Cognihealth caregiver.
Tembo Health and PocketRN are CMS-approved GUIDE program participant organizations. Tembo Health provides virtual dementia care navigation with 24/7 access to physicians and nurse practitioners. PocketRN provides virtual nursing and care coordination. Cognihealth partners with both to deliver in-home caregiving services to GUIDE-enrolled families in San Diego County.
A diagnosis is required for GUIDE enrollment, but Cognihealth's GUIDE program partners can help arrange a comprehensive dementia assessment. Obtaining a diagnosis is part of the support these programs are designed to facilitate. Call Cognihealth at (619) 800-5730 and a care coordinator will guide you through the process.
Cognihealth provides GUIDE program in-home care support throughout all of San Diego County — including San Diego, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Encinitas, Del Mar, Coronado, Escondido, La Mesa, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside, El Cajon, Point Loma, Rancho Santa Fe, Scripps Ranch, San Marcos, Solana Beach, and Carmel Valley.
Call Cognihealth at (619) 800-5730. A care coordinator will confirm eligibility in under ten minutes and explain exactly how the program works and what your family can expect. There is no obligation.
Find Out If You Qualify
Your Family May Already Qualify for Free Dementia Care Support
If your loved one has a dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare Parts A & B, the support they need may already be covered. Call Cognihealth today — a care coordinator will confirm eligibility and explain exactly what the GUIDE program provides for your family in San Diego County. No obligation. No pressure.
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