Medicare GUIDE Program
Home Care in San Diego
Covered by Medicare. Delivered at home. Cognihealth is a partner of PocketRN and Tembo Health, participants in Medicare's Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, serving San Diego County. If your loved one has a dementia diagnosis and traditional Medicare Parts A & B, they may qualify if they meet GUIDE eligibility requirements — receiving comprehensive care navigation, 24/7 access to your care team, and $2,625 in annual respite care services, equivalent to 76 hours of in-home care.
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 access to your care team, and respite care services.
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 in the GUIDE Model
Cognihealth is a partner of PocketRN and Tembo Health — participants in Medicare's Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model operating in San Diego County — providing the hands-on caregiving that complements their clinical navigation services.
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.
in annual respite care services for qualifying families — equivalent to 76 hours of in-home care. The benefit resets each GUIDE program year on July 1. This benefit is fully covered by traditional Medicare with no co-pays and no out-of-pocket cost to your family. Cognihealth provides the in-home respite care throughout San Diego County.
Do You Qualify?
Who Qualifies for the Medicare GUIDE Program?
Individuals may qualify if they meet GUIDE eligibility requirements, outlined below. 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 a private residence 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
- Under updated Medicare requirements effective July 1, 2026, patients residing in memory care units are no longer eligible for GUIDE, and patients residing in residential care communities — including assisted living facilities, adult family homes, and group homes — are no longer supported through our GUIDE program partners. Patients living in private residences and independent living communities are not affected.
- 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 access to our care team, 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, families in San Diego County who meet GUIDE eligibility requirements 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.
Annual Respite Care Services
Qualifying families receive $2,625 in annual respite care services — equivalent to 76 hours of in-home care — allowing family caregivers to take genuine, necessary breaks while their loved one is supported by a trained Cognihealth caregiver. The benefit resets each GUIDE program year on July 1.
24/7 Access to Your Care Team
Families have 24/7 access to their care team 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
family members and friends in San Diego and Imperial Counties are currently providing care for someone with dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter — 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 access to your care team. 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 access to your care team, 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 partnering with Medicare GUIDE model participants. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured in the state of California.
Out-of-Pocket Cost
All GUIDE services covered by traditional Medicare
Respite Care Services
76 hours of in-home care per GUIDE year for qualifying families
Care Team Access
Around-the-clock access to your care team
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 access to your care team, and respite care services. 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.
Qualifying families receive $2,625 in annual respite care services — equivalent to 76 hours of in-home care — allowing family caregivers to take planned breaks while their loved one receives professional in-home support from a Cognihealth caregiver. The benefit resets each GUIDE program year on July 1. Patients residing in residential care communities, such as assisted living facilities, are not eligible for respite services under updated Medicare requirements.
Under updated Medicare requirements effective July 1, 2026, patients residing in memory care units are no longer eligible for GUIDE, and patients residing in residential care communities — including assisted living facilities, adult family homes, and group homes — are no longer supported through our GUIDE program partners. Patients living in private residences and independent living communities remain eligible. Call Cognihealth at (619) 800-5730 to discuss your family's situation and other care options.
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.
Program Updates
GUIDE Program Updates — July 2026
On July 1, 2026, Medicare implemented changes to the GUIDE program for the new program year. Here is what San Diego families need to know.
- Respite benefits reset for the new GUIDE year. Qualifying families receive $2,625 in annual respite care services — equivalent to 76 hours of in-home care.
- Patients living in private residences are not impacted by these changes, and patients in independent living communities are expected to remain eligible.
- Patients residing in memory care units are no longer eligible for the GUIDE program.
- Patients residing in residential care communities — including assisted living facilities, adult family homes, and group homes — are no longer supported through our GUIDE program partners and are not eligible for respite services.
Questions about how these changes affect your family? Call Cognihealth at (619) 800-5730 — a care coordinator can confirm current eligibility and walk you through your options.
From Our Blog
Helpful articles for families considering Medicare GUIDE program
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, they may qualify if they meet GUIDE eligibility requirements. 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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