PACE: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

What this program is, in plain English

PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. If you are 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, and are certified as needing a nursing-home level of care, PACE takes over everything: your doctors, your specialists, your prescriptions, your therapy, your day center, your rides to appointments, your home care, even meals. One team, one plan. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, PACE usually costs you nothing at all. Note carefully that this is a completely different program from Pennsylvania's PACE prescription program, which shares the name and nothing else.

What you actually get

Complete medical, prescription, therapy, transportation, and in-home care through a single provider organization, with no cost sharing for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid.

Who qualifies

• You are 55 or older.
• Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
• No income test to join, but people without Medicaid pay a monthly premium.
• You must live in the service area of a PACE organization and be certified by the state as needing a nursing-home level of care, while being able to live safely in the community with PACE support.

What to have ready

• Medicare and Medicaid cards
• Medical records
• Proof of address
• Financial information if applying for Medicaid at the same time

How to apply

This program is run by Local PACE organizations under contract with Medicare and state Medicaid agencies. Most decisions take Enrollment usually takes effect the first of the month after your assessment.