PACE Program.pdf

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enables seniors to age in place, providing comprehensive care and services to prevent nursing home placement. Key features include:

All-inclusive care, including medical appointments, social activities, and home care
No copays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses for Medicaid beneficiaries
Monthly payment to PACE programs is 15% lower than Medicaid's usual payment
Reduces hospitalization, emergency room visits, and nursing home stays
Participants survive longer than those in less comprehensive programs

Despite its benefits, PACE programs are underutilized, with only 144 programs serving fewer than 60,000 people. Barriers to growth include:

Limited awareness and understanding of PACE
Complex enrollment process
Requirement to relinquish individual doctors
* Limited funding and resources

However, growth is picking up, with 45 new programs expected to begin enrollment in the next two years. Efforts to expand awareness, remove barriers, and encourage middle-class participation may help increase access to PACE programs.