In the United States, a health care program known as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides comprehensive health services to the frail elderly. To be eligible for care under the PACE program, the elderly must meet the requirements of the state Medicaid program. For PACE to be eligible, there are many requirements. Some examples of PACE programs include WelbeHealth and CenterLight Teamcare.
CenterLight Teamcare
CenterLight Healthcare offers a long-term comprehensive care program called CenterLight Teamcare. The personalized plan includes both home and medical care. There are also social activities, transportation, congregate meals, and other services. This care model has been proven to decrease unnecessary hospitalizations, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling ill. A CenterLight Teamcare plan can provide residential and assisted living for seniors.
WelbeHealth
WelbeHealth are just a few of the hundreds that provide senior care in the country. The company offers comprehensive medical, therapy, social, and other care to older people in their community as part of the PACE Program. Individuals are encouraged to remain independent and continue living safely at home. WelbeHealth's mission to assist people in their retirement is to make it easier for them to age in their own homes. It is California's largest provider of PACE.
Lok
On Lok adds a social care center to its On Lok program. It provides elderly people with housing assistance, in-home care and home-delivered meals. These services are an extension of the On Lok care model, which provides basic medical care as well social support for older people. On Lok's growth is supported by federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. It can now develop a national model of all-inclusive elderly care. On Lok supported the formation of the National PACE Association. There are now 21 PACE program operating in nine US states.
PACE Southeast Michigan
The PACE Southeast Michigan program offers all-inclusive care that provides a continuum to seniors who want to live in their own homes. These services include counseling, therapy, meals, and physical therapy. They also offer prescriptions, outpatient care, behavioral health, and substance abuse services. PACE Southeast Michigan offers other services such as transportation, home maintenance, recreational activities, and transportation.
WelbeHealth's model for care
WelbeHealth’s model for all-inclusive elderly care is not new. The organization has been providing senior services for many years, and was praised in the midst of the deadly influenza pandemic last year. According to a University of California Berkeley study, the death rate of WelbeHealth patients is 5 times lower that that of nursing homes or other PACE organizations. These programs help California's most economically disadvantaged areas.
Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements
PACE Programs are prepaid capitated plans for seniors that provide all Medicare-covered services through one comprehensive plan. To be eligible, providers must provide the same level and quality of care to all Medicare-eligible clients. PACE reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid are determined based on potential capitation. A facility must be in good standing for both federal and state healthcare programs to be considered as a PACE provider.
Disenrollment from the PACE
Recent research examined the patterns of enrollment in the PACE program for all inclusive care for the elderly population. This program was designed for Medicare beneficiaries who are frail and require long-term care. Important fiscal and social consequences could result from the disenrollment or exclusion of PACE participants. Disenrollment from PACE plans may have detrimental social and fiscal effects, as managed care is the base for both federal and state policies in health.