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PACE Plus Act
12/30/2022, 4:33 AM
Summary of Bill HR 6770
The PACE program is a comprehensive healthcare model that provides coordinated medical, social, and long-term care services for elderly individuals who are eligible for nursing home care but prefer to live in their own homes. The PACE Plus Act seeks to build upon the success of the existing PACE program by enhancing and expanding the services available to participants.
Some of the key provisions of the PACE Plus Act include increasing the number of services covered under the program, such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, dental care, and vision care. The bill also aims to improve access to care by expanding the geographic reach of the program and increasing the number of PACE centers across the country. Additionally, the PACE Plus Act includes measures to improve the quality of care provided to participants, such as implementing performance metrics and quality standards for PACE organizations. The bill also includes provisions to increase funding for the program and ensure its long-term sustainability. Overall, the PACE Plus Act is aimed at improving the quality of life for elderly individuals by expanding access to comprehensive healthcare services and allowing them to age in place with dignity and independence.
Congressional Summary of HR 6770
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Plus Act or the PACE Plus Act
This bill modifies requirements and establishes programs regarding Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE is a program under Medicare and Medicaid that provides in-home and community services for certain individuals as an alternative to nursing home care.
The bill allows Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a PACE program at any time and provides states with the option to allow Medicaid beneficiaries to do the same. Entities may also apply to become PACE providers at any time, upon specified assurances relating to staffing and other requirements. States that provide Medicaid coverage of long-term care may also choose to expand PACE eligibility for Medicaid beneficiaries who are unable to perform at least two activities of daily living and who meet other specified criteria.
Additionally, the bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs for (1) public or nonprofit PACE providers in rural or underserved urban areas for planning, administrative, capital, and other expenses that are necessary for site development; and (2) states that do not have PACE providers for expenses deemed necessary for program establishment. The bill also allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model for expanded PACE eligibility that targets high-need and high-cost populations.
