The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits to provide in-home services for some seniors. The program started out as a demonstration as the On-Lok prgram in San Francisco, and has spread to a number of other states. Unfortunately, PACE openings are extremely limited, so not everyone who might qualify will be able to get services. The federal and state governments are working to expand the program, but it currently provides services to a fairly small number of recipients.
Participants must be at least 55 years old, live in the PACE service area, and be certified as eligible for nursing home care by the appropriate State agency. The PACE program becomes the sole source of services for Medicare and Medicaid eligible enrollees.
An interdisciplinary team, consisting of professional and paraprofessional staff, assesses participants' needs, develops care plans, and delivers all services (including acute care services and when necessary, nursing facility services) which are integrated for a seamless provision of total care. PACE programs provide social and medical services primarily in an adult day health center, supplemented by in-home and referral services in accordance with the participant's needs. The PACE service package must include all Medicare and Medicaid covered services, and other services determined necessary by the multidisciplinary team for the care of the PACE participant.