The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs to be served in the community whenever possible. The goal is to maximize the participant’s autonomy and ability to reside in their community while receiving quality care at a lower cost relative to traditional Medicare, Medicaid and private-pay payment systems.

PACE Information

PACE integrates Medicaid and Medicare in a collaborative agreement between OHCA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and a PACE Organization.

PACE organizations support seniors through an integrated, holistic, person-centered approach to care coordinated by an interdisciplinary team. Teams cover 12 disciplines, including primary care providers, nurses, therapists, social workers, drivers, and more. The PACE program offers comprehensive care ranging from primary and preventative to acute and long-term care when needed, delivered by a spectrum of providers who join forces and coordinate individualized care for everyone.

PACE organizations receive monthly capitated payments and are responsible for all care across all settings that participants need. Participants attend the PACE center, which provides access to onsite services such as clinic assistance, meals, rehabilitation services, and many social activities. PACE organizations supply participants with home care services, transportation to and from the PACE center, and other approved appointments.

A PACE organization will help potentially eligible seniors apply for Medicaid and with initial asset and income evaluation. The PACE organization will also help prospective participants obtain the required financial information and verification documents.

Becoming a PACE Organization

• Potential organization will research federal regulations and information available from the National PACE Association to assess the feasibility of becoming a PACE organization.
• Potential organization completes a PACE Program Development Assessment.
• Potential organization submits a letter of intent and the PACE Program Development Assessment to OHCA at PACEInquiry@okhca.org.
• OHCA contacts CMS Central Office to notify them of the possible addition of PACE sites.
• OHCA evaluates the organization and approves the application as appropriate.
• The potential organization submits the formal application to CMS along with the OHCA assurances/attestations that the entity is considered to be qualified as a PACE organization and is willing to enter into a PACE organization agreement.
• State readiness review occurs with an OHCA site visit and approval.
• Within 90 days of formal application submitted to CMS, CMS approves, denies or requests additional information.
• Once CMS approves, OHCA and CMS enter into a three-way agreement with the PACE organization.
• The PACE organization contracts with OHCA in a two-way agreement.
• The PACE organization proceeds to enroll beneficiaries.

Any entity seeking to become a PACE organization in Oklahoma may contact OHCA regarding state-specific requirements.

Further Information

Information regarding PACE can be obtained by contacting:

The OHCA PACE Unit
4345 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-522-7044 or PACEInquiry@okhca.org

Additional information regarding The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) can be found on the National PACE Association website.