Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC –  Earlier today, U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup, MD, (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy, MD, (R-LA) introduced the PACE Part D Choice Act, which would eliminate a significant financial disincentive for Medicare-only beneficiaries to enroll in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

“Everyone deserves a fair choice when it comes to health care, and we must ensure that access to this choice is affordable,” said Sen. Carper. “The PACE Part D Choice Act would give seniors the option to choose a cost-efficient plan that will provide them with the care they need.”

“PACE patients should have the same access to lower premiums and affordable prescription drugs as those in other Medicare programs,” said Sen. Cassidy. “This will lead to better health outcomes for seniors with chronic illness.”

Although many PACE participants are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, the average monthly Part D plan premium costs for those who do not qualify for Medicaid is $983.66 in 2023, which is considerably higher (more than 20 times higher) than the $43 average monthly cost of a marketplace plan. The PACE Part D Choice Act would increase access to PACE for Medicare-only beneficiaries by enabling them to choose between the PACE Part D plan or a marketplace Part D plan, which is likely to have fewer total costs, such as lower premiums and related deductible and co-insurance amounts. The policy solution in the legislation has been cited by nonpartisan think tanks, including the Bipartisan Policy Center(link is external), as a way to address the lack of care options outside of nursing homes for our nation’s fast-growing older population.

The National PACE Association (NPA) applauds the ongoing and stalwart leadership displayed by Sens. Carper and Cassidy and Reps. Wenstrup and Blumenauer to make PACE more affordable and accessible.

“PACE is a proven model of care for older adults, and it has continued to demonstrate its benefits even more profoundly during and after the pandemic,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of NPA. “But widespread enrollment in PACE for the millions of Medicare-only beneficiaries who could benefit faces a significant financial obstacle – the high Part D premium cost. NPA strongly urges Congress to pass this bill quickly so that many more older adults and their families can be served by PACE and receive the care they need in their homes and communities.” 

PACE is widely seen as the “underdog of senior care,” as cited by the New York Times(link is external), and as an innovative program of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) by many organizations, including AARP(link is external).

AARP noted in a report that “evidence of PACE’s impact on Medicare and Medicaid costs is unequivocal. A 2021 study of PACE beneficiaries who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid found that they were less likely to be hospitalized, less likely to visit the emergency department, and much less likely to be institutionalized than their similar, dually eligible peers enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans. PACE improves the LTSS system by reducing institutionalizations, improving outcomes, decreasing costs, and empowering older adults to live at home."

Currently, 150 PACE programs operate at least 309 PACE centers in 32 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 64,000 participants. However, if barriers to joining PACE were eliminated, including the high Part D premium, millions more eligible seniors could be taking advantage of the benefits that PACE offers.

“Making PACE more affordable for older adults who are eligible only for Medicare is common sense,” said Bloom. "Expanding access to PACE is a bipartisan, cost-effective solution to the nation’s senior care crisis. It increases quality of life, offers care in the desired home setting, and. above all. treats our seniors with the respect they deserve."

#

The National PACE Association (NPA) works to advance the efforts of PACE programs, which coordinate and provide preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. The PACE model of care is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. For more information, visit www.npaonline.org and follow @TweetNPA(link is external).

WASHINGTON, DC –  Earlier today, U.S. Reps. Brad Wenstrup, MD, (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and U.S. Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy, MD, (R-LA) introduced the PACE Part D Choice Act, which would eliminate a significant financial disincentive for Medicare-only beneficiaries to enroll in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

“Everyone deserves a fair choice when it comes to health care, and we must ensure that access to this choice is affordable,” said Sen. Carper. “The PACE Part D Choice Act would give seniors the option to choose a cost-efficient plan that will provide them with the care they need.”

“PACE patients should have the same access to lower premiums and affordable prescription drugs as those in other Medicare programs,” said Sen. Cassidy. “This will lead to better health outcomes for seniors with chronic illness.”

Although many PACE participants are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, the average monthly Part D plan premium costs for those who do not qualify for Medicaid is $983.66 in 2023, which is considerably higher (more than 20 times higher) than the $43 average monthly cost of a marketplace plan. The PACE Part D Choice Act would increase access to PACE for Medicare-only beneficiaries by enabling them to choose between the PACE Part D plan or a marketplace Part D plan, which is likely to have fewer total costs, such as lower premiums and related deductible and co-insurance amounts. The policy solution in the legislation has been cited by nonpartisan think tanks, including the Bipartisan Policy Center(link is external), as a way to address the lack of care options outside of nursing homes for our nation’s fast-growing older population.

The National PACE Association (NPA) applauds the ongoing and stalwart leadership displayed by Sens. Carper and Cassidy and Reps. Wenstrup and Blumenauer to make PACE more affordable and accessible.

“PACE is a proven model of care for older adults, and it has continued to demonstrate its benefits even more profoundly during and after the pandemic,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of NPA. “But widespread enrollment in PACE for the millions of Medicare-only beneficiaries who could benefit faces a significant financial obstacle – the high Part D premium cost. NPA strongly urges Congress to pass this bill quickly so that many more older adults and their families can be served by PACE and receive the care they need in their homes and communities.” 

PACE is widely seen as the “underdog of senior care,” as cited by the New York Times(link is external), and as an innovative program of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) by many organizations, including AARP(link is external).

AARP noted in a report that “evidence of PACE’s impact on Medicare and Medicaid costs is unequivocal. A 2021 study of PACE beneficiaries who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid found that they were less likely to be hospitalized, less likely to visit the emergency department, and much less likely to be institutionalized than their similar, dually eligible peers enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans. PACE improves the LTSS system by reducing institutionalizations, improving outcomes, decreasing costs, and empowering older adults to live at home."

Currently, 150 PACE programs operate at least 309 PACE centers in 32 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 64,000 participants. However, if barriers to joining PACE were eliminated, including the high Part D premium, millions more eligible seniors could be taking advantage of the benefits that PACE offers.

“Making PACE more affordable for older adults who are eligible only for Medicare is common sense,” said Bloom. "Expanding access to PACE is a bipartisan, cost-effective solution to the nation’s senior care crisis. It increases quality of life, offers care in the desired home setting, and. above all. treats our seniors with the respect they deserve."

#

The National PACE Association (NPA) works to advance the efforts of PACE programs, which coordinate and provide preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community. The PACE model of care is centered on the belief that it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible. For more information, visit www.npaonline.org and follow @TweetNPA(link is external).