Yes, PACE combines medical and social services for dementia patients through one coordinated care team. PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, supports frail older adults in the community instead of a nursing home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services describes it as a joint Medicare and Medicaid program for that purpose CMS fact sheet.
Each enrollee receives coordinated care from an interdisciplinary team. The team shapes services around medical, physical, social and emotional needs and preferences, according to Medicare.gov Medicare.gov PACE page. That single-team design replaces separate referrals with one plan.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What does combined care look like?
- Who can join PACE?
- Why is dementia central to PACE?
- What limits and costs should families weigh?
What does combined care look like?
The PACE team arranges both clinic care and daily-life support under one plan. A participant might receive primary care at the adult-day center, eat meals there, and get dental care in the same system.
The same plan can cover home care, hospital and specialty care, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and prescriptions. It can also include mental-health counseling, nutrition counseling and rides to the PACE center, according to Medicare.gov Medicare.gov PACE page.
Who can join PACE?
PACE serves adults 55 or older who live in a PACE service area. The state must certify the person as needing nursing-home-level care.
The person must be able to live safely in the community with PACE help, according to Medicare.gov. Medicare.gov notes PACE is offered only in some states under Medicaid. Families should check whether a program serves their address before making plans.
- 55 or older
- live in a PACE service area
- certified as needing nursing-home-level care
- able to live safely in the community with PACE help
Why is dementia central to PACE?
About 46% of PACE participants have Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. They often live with several other chronic conditions at the same time, according to a National Academies workshop summary National Academies workshop summary.
That mix makes one coordinated team practical. The same team can link daily meals, therapy, medical visits and social support instead of leaving families to connect separate providers.
What limits and costs should families weigh?
Enrollees generally must use PACE providers for care. Joining a separate Medicare drug plan causes disenrollment, according to Medicare.gov Medicare.gov PACE page. According to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, PACE organizations receive a fixed monthly payment from Medicare and Medicaid.
Under that model, they must cover all team-approved care at home, in the community or in a nursing home. Medicaid enrollees pay no premium and no deductible or copay for team-approved care, according to Medicare.gov. Check the local PACE provider list and service area before starting an application.
