Illinois PACE Program Available For Residents 55+

Gov. J.B. Pritzker used Senior Day at the Illinois State Fair on Monday (8/15) to roll out a new program aimed at Illinois senior citizens. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, will aim to provide those over the age of 55 with an alternative to nursing home care. Governor Pritzker said that seniors who enroll in PACE will receive interdisciplinary and comprehensive services right in their communities at home. This would make PACE the sole source of services for Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible enrollees, according to the state’s website.

PACE will plan to offer home and personal care, specialty medical care for individuals, and diagnostic services. According to Governor Pritzker if the service is currently covered by Medicare and Medicaid, it would be covered by PACE. According to the website, care coordination will be at the center of PACE; with the primary goal being to help participants remain living safely in the community(current dwelling) rather than entering a nursing home. PACE, participants will receive all comprehensive health services determined necessary by an interdisciplinary team.

PACE will be available to Illinois residents who:

• are 55 or older
• live in the service area of a PACE organization
• are eligible for nursing home care
• are able to live safely in their community

According to the website here, "financing for the program is capped, which allows providers to deliver all services participants need, rather than limit them to those reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service plans. The PACE model of care is established as a provider in the Medicare program and as enables states to provide PACE services to Medicaid beneficiaries as state option."