The first two quarters of 2019 saw Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®) nationally serve an additional 1,834 participants, bringing the total estimated number of participants to 50,955 in June. For these new participants, PACE growth means a higher quality of life and care, with fewer hospitalizations, emergency room visits and nursing home stays.

The PACE 2.0 project of the National PACE Association (NPA) is working with PACE organizations that are setting the pace for growth to learn how they are achieving faster growth and broader reach in their communities. These “PACE Setters” are setting new standards for monthly net enrollments, growth rates and market penetration in the communities they serve.

Nationally, an average PACE organization grows at the rate of three participants a month. However, in the first two quarters of this year, 28 NPA member PACE organizations (20.7 percent of all programs) added a net enrollment of 10 or more in at least one month. Of these, 12 averaged this level of enrollment over an entire quarter, with five maintaining that average over the entire first six months of the year.

Another way of measuring growth is the percent increase in enrollment over a period of time. Though the national average quarterly growth rate is 2.1 percent, 10 PACE programs achieved 9 percent or better in one of the first two quarters.

In addition to growth, PACE organizations are seeing new levels of service to their communities as measured by market penetration. Market penetration is the percent of dual Medicare and Medicaid and Medicaid-only eligible people needing long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the service area of a PACE organization who are enrolled in PACE. While market penetration averages 9 percent nationally, 10 NPA member PACE organizations are serving 20 percent or more of estimated eligible people in their communities who need LTSS.

NPA recognizes the PACE Setters for leading the way in PACE growth and access in the following categories:

• “Supernovas” achieved an estimated average net enrollment of 10 or more over one or both of the first two quarters of 2019.
• “Emerging Lights” achieved an estimated average net enrollment of 10 or more in at least one month of the first two quarters of 2019.
• “Shooting Stars” have had an estimated growth rate of 9 percent or more during the first or second quarter.
• “North Stars” serve an estimated 20 percent or more of people age 55 or over in their community who need LTSS and are dually eligible or eligible for Medicaid.

NPA is proud to recognize the PACE organizations that demonstrate the potential for PACE growth across the country. The lists will be updated each quarter to recognize high achievers in the areas of growth and community service. By working to ensure that people needing LTSS in their communities are aware of PACE and have the opportunity to receive the comprehensive, coordinated care provided, these programs are reaching new levels of impact on the lives of the participants and communities they serve.

PACE programs that achieved Supernova status in both first quarters of 2019 are Fresno PACE, San Diego PACE and St. Paul's PACE, in California; McGregor PACE, in Ohio; and PACE Southeast Michigan. Supernovas in one of the quarters are AltaMed Health Services Corporation and Stockton PACE, in California; ArchCare Senior Life, in New York; LIFE Northwestern Pennsylvania; Providence ElderPlace, Oregon and Washington; and Rocky Mountain PACE in Colorado.

Emerging Lights are Center for Elders' Independence and On Lok Lifeways, in California; CenterLight and Independent Living Services of Central NY, in New York; Community LIFE and LIFE Geisinger, in Pennsylvania; Florida PACE Centers, Inc., Hope PACE and Palm Beach PACE, in Florida; Harbor Health Services, Inc., Summit ElderCare/Fallon Health and Uphams Corner Health Committee, Inc., in Massachusetts; Huron Valley PACE, in Michigan; and PACE Central Michigan, PACE of Southwest Michigan, and Senior Care Partners PACE in Michigan.

Shooting Stars are AtlantiCare LIFE Connection, in New Jersey; Bluestem PACE, in Kansas; Genesys PACE of Genesee County, Huron Valley PACE, PACE Southeast Michigan and Thome PACE, in Michigan; LIFE Northwestern Pennsylvania; Prisma Health SeniorCare PACE-Upstate, in South Carolina; San Diego PACE, in California; and TRU PACE in Colorado.

North Stars are Complete Senior Care, ElderONE, and Independent Living Services of Central NY, in New York; LIFE Northwestern Pennsylvania; Northland PACE Senior Care Services, in North Dakota; Redwood Coast PACE, in California; Rocky Mountain PACE and Senior CommUnity Care of Colorado, in Colorado; Siouxland PACE, in Iowa; and Wyoming PACE in Wyoming.

(Note: Census and net enrollment numbers were estimated based on CMS monthly Medicare enrollment data adjusted to include Medicaid-only enrollment. The Medicaid-only enrollment is estimated based on Medicaid-only census ratios reported to NPA by PACE organizations annually. Market penetration rates are based on estimated enrollment, divided by the estimated number of people who are clinically eligible for PACE with Medicare and Medicaid coverage in the service area of the PACE organization using Census data. Service areas are defined based on ZIP codes provided to NPA by PACE organizations.)