PACE Anytime Act Makes It Easier to Enroll in & Access Programs
The PACE program provides comprehensive care to thousands of dual-eligible seniors & people with disabilities
By Meg Herndon
U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mike Braun (R-IN), chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, recently introduced the bipartisan PACE Anytime Act. The bill will expand access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program, which provides thousands of lower-income seniors and people with disabilities with comprehensive care.
What is PACE?
The PACE program was established in 1997 and provides comprehensive care for low-income seniors and people with disabilities ages 55 and up by integrating Medicare coverage and Medicaid long-term care. PACE provides care through an interdisciplinary team, including medical and dental care, meals and nutritional counseling, occupational and physical therapy, prescription drugs, social services and transportation. PACE programs provide services primarily in adult day health centers, allowing individuals to stay in their homes and communities. Currently, eligible older adults and people with disabilities can only enroll in a PACE program on the first day of each month.
What Would the Act Do?
The PACE Anytime Act removes enrollment barriers by allowing eligible individuals to enroll at any time during the month. The bill also provides the ability to prorate capitation payments to account for varying PACE enrollment dates.
Did You Know?
Enrollment in a PACE program has been shown to result in fewer hospitalizations and visits to the emergency room, as well as reduced caregiver burden for family members.
Supporting Voices
“PACE programs allow seniors and people with disabilities to receive all of their essential care while remaining in their communities. While the PACE program provides high-quality, comprehensive care, limited opportunities to enroll have made the program unnecessarily difficult to access. My new bill will make it much easier to enroll in the PACE program and give seniors and people with disabilities the flexibility to receive the care they need.” —Sen. Bob Casey
“Older Americans should be able to receive the care they need in their communities without cumbersome barriers. The PACE Anytime Act would increase flexibility for low-income seniors and people with disabilities to enroll in the PACE Program.” —Sen. Mike Braun
“No older adult should have to wait until the first of the month to begin receiving care and services from PACE. Given the rapidly rising numbers of older Americans and their clear desire to age in place, it is imperative for our nation to encourage ready access to PACE—a holistic model of care well-equipped to meet individuals’ complex care needs at home and in the community rather than a nursing facility.” —Shawn Bloom, President and CEO, National PACE Association
