What is PACE?
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It’s a Medicare and Medi-Cal program that has helped seniors for more than 40 years. A PACE organization acts as both the health plan and the care provider, so one team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers and drivers plans and delivers all of your loved one’s care.
Most care happens at a local PACE center and at home. For people with Medi-Cal, or Medi-Cal and Medicare, everything PACE covers comes with no deductibles, copays or coinsurance.
Could PACE be right for your loved one?
Who qualifies
- Age 55 or older
- Lives in a PACE program’s service area
- Needs the level of care a nursing home provides, as determined by the state
- Can live safely at home with PACE support
- Has Medi-Cal, or Medi-Cal and Medicare, or can pay privately
Signs PACE may help
- Needs help with bathing, dressing or other daily tasks
- Manages several chronic health conditions
- Uses a walker, cane or wheelchair
- Has trouble keeping track of medications
- Family is struggling to keep up with appointments and care
These are general guidelines. The PACE program and the state make the final decision after a nurse visits your loved one at home.
What PACE covers
PACE covers all the care your loved one needs, coordinated by their care team:
- Primary care
- Specialists
- Prescription drugs
- Hospital and emergency care
- Home care
- Adult day center
- Meals and nutrition
- Rides to appointments
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Dental care
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Behavioral health
- Social work and counseling
- Memory care
- Nursing home care when needed
- Palliative care
There are no preset limits on care. Your loved one helps shape their care plan, which is updated at least every six months, and they can ask for more services at any time.
A typical day with PACE
- MorningHelp at homeA home care aide helps with things like bathing and getting dressed.
- Late morningA ride to the centerA PACE driver picks your loved one up and brings them to the center.
- MiddayCare and companyDoctor visits, therapy, meals and activities with friends, all in one place.
- AfternoonBack homeThe driver brings them home, and home care can stop by again if needed.
Every participant’s schedule is different and follows their own care plan.
Good to know before joining
- One care network
- After joining, your loved one gets care from the PACE team and its network of doctors and specialists, except in emergencies. If keeping a certain doctor matters, tell us first so we can ask about it.
- Home care
- PACE replaces In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and manages home care instead. Some PACE programs can pay family caregivers for approved hours.
- Timing
- Enrollment usually takes 30 to 60 days, and coverage starts on the 1st of the month.
- Your choice
- Joining is always voluntary, and your loved one can leave PACE at any time. After leaving, they get a two-month window to choose another Medicare plan.
- Medi-Cal help
- No Medi-Cal yet? Some PACE programs can help with the application. It can add up to 45 days to the process.
Our PACE partners
We work with three PACE organizations in California. Each one serves specific ZIP codes, so where your loved one lives decides which program they can join.
myPlace Health
Los Angeles CountyCare centers in central Los Angeles (near Beverly Blvd and Alvarado St) and East Compton. Sponsored by SCAN Group.
WelbeHealth
Southern, Central and Northern CaliforniaCenters in Carson, Long Beach, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Rosemead, Riverside, Coachella Valley, San Bernardino, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, San Jose and Elk Grove.
InnovAge
South Los Angeles and the Inland EmpireCenters in Crenshaw and San Bernardino, serving parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Check a ZIP code for myPlace Health
Good news: this ZIP code is in myPlace Health’s service area. Care center: Los Angeles Care center: East Compton Care centers: Los Angeles and East Compton This ZIP code isn’t in myPlace Health’s area, but WelbeHealth or InnovAge may serve it. Call us and we’ll check. Our PACE partners serve California only. Call us and we can talk through other options. Please enter a 5-digit ZIP code.
Service areas are set by each program and can change. We’ll confirm the right program for your loved one’s address before applying.
How we help
- Free callTell us about your loved one’s needs. There’s no cost and no obligation.
- Check the basicsWe confirm age, ZIP code and coverage, and find the PACE program that serves your area.
- We send the referralOur certified agents submit the referral and stay in touch with the program for you.
- Tour and assessmentYour family tours the center, and a nurse visits to confirm your loved one qualifies and can live safely at home.
- Care beginsAfter the state approves, coverage starts on the 1st of the month and the care team builds a personal care plan.
PACE enrollment is voluntary, and participants may disenroll at any time. Free interpreter services are available. Dolce Imperial Health is an independent insurance agency, not a government agency, and we never offer gifts or rewards for enrolling.