PACE Program: All-Inclusive Care to Keep Your Parent at Home
What if one program could cover everything your parent needs—medical care, medications, adult day care, transportation, home care, and more—with no deductibles or copays? That's what PACE does. For seniors who qualify, it's one of the most comprehensive care options available.
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It's a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive care to people who are nursing-home eligible but want to remain living at home.
How PACE Works
PACE organizations provide all the care and services a person needs, coordinated by a dedicated interdisciplinary team. The goal is to help seniors remain safe and healthy at home for as long as possible.
The PACE Center
Each PACE program has a center that participants visit regularly (typically 2-5 days per week). At the center, they receive:
- Primary medical care
- Adult day services and activities
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Meals and nutrition support
- Social activities and peer interaction
Care Beyond the Center
PACE also provides or arranges:
- Home care services
- Prescription medications
- Hospital and specialist care
- Transportation to the center and appointments
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Nursing home care (if needed)
What PACE Covers
Medical Care
- Primary care physician (PACE doctors)
- Specialist appointments
- Hospital care
- Emergency services
- Lab tests and X-rays
- All Medicare and Medicaid covered services
Medications
- All prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter medications as needed
- Medication management and delivery
- No copays for prescriptions
Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Recreational therapy
Home and Personal Care
- Personal care assistance
- Home health aide services
- Homemaker services
- Medical equipment for home
- Home modifications if needed
Social and Support Services
- Adult day care activities
- Meals at the center
- Nutritional counseling
- Social work services
- Transportation to center and appointments
Long-Term Care
- Nursing home care when needed
- Respite care for caregivers
- End-of-life care
Who Is Eligible?
Requirements to Qualify
- Age 55 or older (most states)
- Nursing home eligible: Meet your state's level of care for nursing home
- Live in PACE service area: Must live where PACE is available
- Able to live safely in community: With PACE support
- Agree to receive all care from PACE: Use PACE providers
"Nursing Home Eligible" Explained
This means your parent needs a level of care that would qualify them for nursing home admission. Generally this means they need help with:
- Multiple activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.)
- Medication management
- Chronic medical condition management
- Cognitive issues requiring supervision
Each state determines eligibility. Many people who qualify are surprised—they expected nursing home level to mean more disabled than it does.
Cost of PACE
For People on Medicaid
Usually no monthly cost. Medicaid covers the PACE premium. No copays, deductibles, or additional charges for any covered services.
For People on Medicare Only
If your parent has Medicare but not Medicaid, they pay a monthly premium to cover the long-term care portion. In 2026, this averages around $4,000-5,000/month—similar to or less than nursing home costs.
For People with Both Medicare and Medicaid
Most PACE participants are "dual eligibles"—they have both Medicare and Medicaid. For them, PACE is typically free or very low cost.
One of PACE's biggest benefits: predictable costs. Everything is covered. No surprise copays, no denied claims, no bills for services. For families exhausted by medical billing, this alone is transformative.
Pros and Cons of PACE
✓ Advantages
- Comprehensive coverage: Everything included—no gaps
- Coordinated care: One team manages all health needs
- Stay at home: Designed to keep people out of nursing homes
- No copays: For Medicaid participants
- Transportation included: Door-to-door service
- Social engagement: Regular interaction at day center
- Caregiver support: Gives family caregivers regular breaks
- Flexible: Adapts as needs change
✗ Disadvantages
- Must use PACE providers: Can't see outside doctors (except emergencies)
- Regular center attendance: Expected several days per week
- Limited availability: Not available everywhere
- Give up current doctors: Must switch to PACE medical team
- Geographic restrictions: Must live in service area
- Not right for everyone: Some prefer more independence
The hardest part for many families: your parent must leave their current doctors and use the PACE medical team. For some, this is a dealbreaker. For others, having one team coordinate everything is a relief. Consider your parent's attachment to current providers.
How to Enroll in PACE
1Find a PACE Program
Use the Medicare PACE finder or call 1-800-MEDICARE to locate programs in your area. PACE is available in about 30 states, but not all areas.
2Schedule an Assessment
Contact the PACE organization to schedule an in-home assessment. Their team will evaluate your parent's health, living situation, and care needs.
3Tour the Center
Visit the PACE center to see the facility, meet staff, and understand what daily attendance looks like. Your parent should attend to see if it feels comfortable.
4Review the Agreement
Understand what's covered, what's required (center attendance, using PACE doctors), and any costs. Ask about what happens if needs change.
5Enroll
Complete enrollment paperwork. PACE coordinates with Medicare and Medicaid. Your parent's existing coverage changes to PACE.
A Typical Day in PACE
Here's what a day might look like for a PACE participant who attends the center:
- 8:00 AM: PACE van picks up your parent at home
- 8:30 AM: Arrival at center, vitals checked, breakfast
- 9:30 AM: Exercise class or physical therapy
- 10:30 AM: Doctor appointment at the center
- 11:00 AM: Social activities (cards, crafts, music)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch (nutritious, accommodates dietary needs)
- 1:00 PM: Rest time or individual activities
- 2:00 PM: Group activity or occupational therapy
- 3:00 PM: Snack time, medication review
- 3:30 PM: Van takes your parent home
Between center days, PACE arranges any needed home care, delivers medications, and coordinates with specialists.
Is PACE Right for Your Family?
PACE May Be Good If:
- Your parent needs significant care but wants to stay home
- Coordinating multiple doctors and services is overwhelming
- Your parent would enjoy social activities at a day center
- Transportation to appointments is a major challenge
- You need regular respite as a caregiver
- Managing medications and healthcare is complex
- Your parent qualifies for Medicaid (making PACE free or low-cost)
PACE May Not Be Right If:
- Your parent is very attached to their current doctors
- They would refuse to attend a day center regularly
- They value independence over comprehensive services
- There's no PACE program in your area
- They have Medicare only and can't afford the premium
Questions to Ask a PACE Program
- What is the exact service area?
- How many days per week is center attendance expected?
- What are the transportation arrangements?
- What specialists are available on the team?
- How are after-hours emergencies handled?
- What's the staff-to-participant ratio?
- How do you communicate with family members?
- What happens if my parent's needs increase significantly?
- What's the process if my parent doesn't like PACE and wants to leave?
- What costs are there (if not on Medicaid)?
Finding PACE Programs
Online Resources
- Medicare PACE finder: medicare.gov/care-compare
- National PACE Association: npaonline.org
- Call Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
States with PACE Programs (2026)
PACE is available in approximately 30 states, with programs in over 150 locations. Availability varies significantly by region. Major states with multiple PACE programs include California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
PACE isn't available everywhere, and existing programs may have waitlists. Contact programs early—even if there's a wait, you can plan ahead while exploring other options in the meantime.
Leaving PACE
Participants can leave PACE anytime. If your parent decides it's not right for them:
- They can disenroll and return to regular Medicare/Medicaid
- Disenrollment takes effect the first of the following month
- They'll need to find new doctors and arrange their own care
- There's no penalty for leaving