WASHINGTON, DC – AUG. 8, 2022 – The National PACE Association (NPA) said today that relief for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs currently included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 excludes participants in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and again urged passage of the PACE Part D Choice Act, which would address the gap.

“We are more than pleased that Congress appears close to passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions to reduce Part D prescription burdens for Medicare beneficiaries,” said Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association. “However, this legislation sadly leaves out older adults receiving care in PACE. We urge Congress to pass the PACE Part D Choice Act, which we are confident will help Congress achieve its goal of providing cost reductions to all individuals covered by Medicare.”

The PACE Part D Choice Act would allow Medicare-only PACE participants to choose a Part D plan offered by their PACE organization or a marketplace Part D plan. The marketplace Part D plan would be more affordable and include the $2,000 out-of-pocket cost protections being put forward by the Inflation Reduction Act. 

PACE programs use an interdisciplinary team approach to keep older Americans with long-term care needs healthy and cared for around the clock, while living independently in their own homes. PACE enrollees typically receive care at home; utilize a PACE center for socializing, medication management and physician visits; are provided transportation to the PACE center and other appointments; and receive other care and services as needed to maintain their highest level of function.

PACE is a proven model of care that costs states and individuals less than nursing home care and allows participants to remain independent and cared for while living in their own homes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, PACE organizations were able to continue caring for the older adults in their program, keeping them safe and well at home. PACE participants, who require a level of care comparable to older adults in nursing homes, experienced one-third the rate of COVID-19 infection and death compared to nursing home residents.

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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.