GPs in England are going to be paid £55 every time they diagnose a patient with dementia.
Health officials hope this will address the low rate of identifying sufferers early on.
Some patients' groups have complained that it is unethical, and raised concerns that it puts a 'bounty' on some people's heads.
The plan has been criticised by Robin Rolls, director of Christian charity for the elderly, Outlook Trust.
Speaking on Premier's News Hour, he said: "Nurses, radiographers, midwives have been given a one-year pay increase of around 1%, which works out about £3 a week. Now, if they get £3 a week as a one-off payment, yet GPs get £53 every time they do their job...There's something not quite right there."
Figures suggest up to 90,000 patients are living with undiagnosed dementia.
NHS England said it was "not just payment for diagnosis" and that GP practices would have to show improving diagnosis rates.
Robin Rolls, Outlook Trust:
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