Quick Facts about Programs of All-Inclusive

Care for the Elderly (PACE)

What are Programs of All-inclusive Care for the

Elderly (PACE)?

PACE is a Medicare program and Medicaid state option that provides communitybased care and services to people age 55 or older who otherwise would need a 

nursing home level of care. PACE was created as a way to provide you, your family,

caregivers, and professional health care providers flexibility to meet your health care

needs and to help you continue living in the community.

A team of health care professionals will give you the coordinated care you need.

These professionals are also experts in working with older people. They will work

together with you and your family (if appropriate) to develop your most effective

plan of care.

PACE provides all the care and services covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as 

authorized by the health care team. They also cover additional medically-necessary care

and services not covered by Medicare and Medicaid that the team may decide you

need. PACE provides coverage for prescription drugs, doctor care, transportation,

home care, checkups, hospital visits, and nursing home stays when necessary.

Who can join PACE?

You can join PACE if you meet the following conditions:

• You’re 55 years old or older.

• You live in the service area of a PACE organization.

• You’re certified by the state in which you live as needing a nursing home level of

care.

• You would be able to live safely in the community if you get PACE services.

Note: You can leave a PACE program at any time.

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CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
PACE services include (but aren’t limited to) the 

following: 

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• Adult Day Care • Primary Care (including doctor and

• Recreational Therapy nursing services)

• Meals • Hospital Care

• Dentistry • Medical Specialty Services

• Nutritional Counseling • Prescription Drugs 

• Social Services • Nursing Home Care

• Laboratory/X-ray Services • Emergency Services

• Social Work Counseling • Home Care

• Transportation • Physical Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

PACE also includes all other services that are available in your area and determined

necessary by your team of health care professionals to improve and maintain your

overall health.

What do I need to know about PACE?

PACE Provides Comprehensive Care

PACE uses Medicare and Medicaid funds to cover all of your medically-necessary care

and services. You can have either Medicare or Medicaid, or both, to join PACE. You

can also pay for PACE privately, if you do not have Medicare or Medicaid.

The Focus is on You

You have a team of health care professionals to help you make health care decisions.

Your team is experienced in caring for people like you. Usually they care for a small

number of people. That way, they get to know you, what your living situation is, and

your preferences. You and your family participate as the team develops and updates

your plan of care and your goals in the program. When you enroll in PACE, you

may be required to use a PACE preferred physician. These physicians are best suited

to help you make health care decisions. 

PACE Covers Prescription Drugs 

PACE organizations offer Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). If you join a

PACE program, you’ll get your Part D-covered drugs and all other necessary 

medication from the PACE program. 

Note: If you’re in a PACE program, you don’t need to join a separate Medicare drug

plan. If you do, you will be disenrolled from your PACE health and prescription

drug benefits.
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What do I need to know about PACE? (continued)

PACE Supports Family Caregivers 

PACE organizations support your family members and other caregivers with 

caregiving training, support groups, and respite care to help families keep their

loved ones in the community.

PACE Provides Services in the Community

PACE organizations provide care and services in the home, the community, and

the PACE center. They have contracts with many specialists and other providers

in the community to make sure that you get the care you need. Many PACE 

participants get most of their care from staff employed by the PACE organization

in the PACE center. PACE centers meet state and federal safety requirements and

include adult day programs, primary care from physicians and nurses, activities,

and occupational and physical therapy facilities.

Preventive Care is Covered and Encouraged

Every PACE organization is focused on helping you live in the community for as

long as possible. To meet this goal, PACE organizations focus on preventive care.

PACE Provides Medical Transportation 

PACE organizations provide all medically-necessary transportation to the PACE

center for activities or medical appointments. You may also be able to get 

transportation to some medical appointments in the community.

What You Pay for PACE Depends on Your Financial Situation 

If you have Medicaid, you will not have to pay a monthly premium for the 

long-term care portion of the PACE benefit. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid but

you have Medicare, you will be charged a monthly premium to cover the longterm care portion of the PACE benefit and a premium for Medicare Part D drugs.

However, in PACE there is never a deductible or copayment for any drug, service,

or care approved by the PACE team.
CMS Product No. 11341

Revised January 2011

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For more information about PACE:

• Visit www.npaonline.org. This Web site is sponsored by the National PACE

Association and provides information about the PACE program and what’s 

covered.

• Visit www.medicare.gov/Nursing/Alternatives/PACE.asp.

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 

1-877-486-2048.