Gov. Pritzker Announces Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly to Expand Choices in Care for Illinois Seniors

Gov. Pritzker Announces Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly to Expand Choices in Care for Illinois Seniors

SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker along with the Department
of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced the launch
of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to better
meet the needs of older adults across Illinois. The program expands
options for community-based care and serves as an alternative to traditional nursing facility care, allowing eligible seniors to continue living safely at home.

The PACE program brings another option for older adults in Illinois who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare in choosing their care. It provides customized and coordinated medical care and social services for adults aged 55 and older who are certified by the state as qualifying for nursing home care but are able to safely continue living in the community at the time of their enrollment.

“Here in Illinois, we recognize that our elders thrive when they remain
in our communities as they age,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The
PACE program is an innovative model that delivers a much-needed
alternative to traditional nursing facility care. This program won’t just
help our seniors — it will help whole families, too, by giving them the
support they need to keep their family units together.”

“Our senior citizens deserve to live with dignity and joy. We
recognize the contributions they have made to our state, and we are
committed to ensuring they have what they need to live healthy, happy,
and well,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “PACE is a major step in
uplifting the care and wellbeing of Illinois seniors, making it clear that
our administration stands with them today and every day.”

PACE combines all the services covered by Medicare and Medicaid
and adds an element of integration for members. The program
creates flexibility for older adults and their families, caregivers, and
health care providers to meet each individual’s health care needs
while they continue to live in their homes and communities. Services
include holistic care planning and coordination, long term services and
supports, therapies, medications, mental health care, and hospital care, if necessary.

While the program is designed to provide community-based
services as an alternative to nursing home care, if a program enrollee
does require nursing facility care, PACE will fund that and continue to
coordinate the patient’s care. In other words, a PACE program takes
full risk for the total cost of care of an enrollee and is anohter form of
managed care.

In order to qualify for PACE, a senior must meet the following
eligibility requirements:

Be at least 55 years old. Live in one of the PACE service areas.
Meet the state standard of qualifying for nursing home care, while
also being able to continue living safely in the community.
HFS has chosen eight organizations in five service areas, which
will serve as partners in providing these new services to seniors in their
region once they pass a stringent application with federal partners as
well. The five service areas are West Chicago, South Chicago, Southern Cook County, Peoria and East St. Louis.

The initial PACE awardees which HFS will support in the next
step of federal application are:
West Chicago
Kinship PACE of Illinois, LLC.
Lawndale Christian Health Center.
PACE of Southwest Chicago, LLC.
South Chicago
Annie’s Place PACE.
Esperanza Health Centers.
Southern Cook County
BoldAge PACE Illinois.
Peoria
OSF Healthcare System.
East St. Louis
Stella PACE at Home, LLC.

“The launch of PACE in key areas of the state is a big
step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable health care
system for our seniors,” said state Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Calumet
City). “This program will create the opportunity for a more
dignified future for seniors in these communities.”

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