PACE Programs by State 2024

What Is a PACE Program?

There has been a lot of attention paid to helping elderly individuals find the healthcare they need during the past few years. Because a significant percentage of someone's medical problems typically arrive during their elder years, elderly individuals require comprehensive care to help cover their expenses. Even though Medicare can cover a lot of health expenses for elderly individuals, there are numerous other issues that have to be addressed.

That is where the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs are helpful. As the name suggests, the program is designed to cover all of the possible medical, health, and social needs of an elderly individual. It is a specific Medicare program that is available to people over the age of 55. It provides medical and social services, and there is a specialist who was responsible for coordinating all areas of care.

Is PACE Available in All States?

No, PACE is not available in all states. But, there are new programs opening all the time. At the time of writing, 149 PACE programs are operating in 273 PACE centers. The programs are scattered across 31 states and tend to be clustered in states with larger populations. There is a noticeable cluster in the mid-Atlantic States.

Because there are plans to open programs in just about every state, it is critical for people to keep in touch with their primary care doctor. They will probably be the first individuals to hear of a new PACE program opening up.

What Is the Cost of a PACE Program?

It is difficult to predict the exact cost of this type of program. Because it is closely related to Medicare, there is a good chance that Medicare will help cover a lot of the expenses related to the program. Importantly, these programs typically do not come with any co-pays or deductibles. Therefore, if you have the right Medicare plan, you should have benefits that can help you cover the cost of this type of program. On the other hand, if you plan on paying for the program out-of-pocket, you should expect to pay about $9,000 per month.

What Are the Main Benefits of Signing Up for PACE?

There are a lot of benefits to signing up for a PACE program. If you have chronic medical problems, then it may be worth looking into the program. The biggest goal of this program is to prevent unnecessary nursing home care, hospital stays, and surgeries. That is the best way to maintain your quality of life as you get older, and it can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary medical expenses. Furthermore, just because you sign up for PACE doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice your independence. The exact nature of the program can vary from state to state, which is why you need to talk with your doctor. But, the program's overall goal is to anticipate and address your problems before they lead to medical complications.