Program of all-inclusive care (PACE): past, present, and future

From modest beginnings in 1973 to over 60 programs nationwide, the PACE concept has proven the value of integrated, interdisciplinary-based care for frail older adults. The evolution of PACE and its regulatory and reimbursement model have changed over time, but the principals of care have remained unchanged. Nationally PACE programs are dealing with some of the same challenges they had 30 years ago and yet PACE programs continue to expand and provide care to an ever wider distribution of populations. The looming issue of ever-growing health care expenditures represents another opportunity for PACE to demonstrate its value while providing a level of quality beyond what could normally be provided by typical Medicare and Medicaid payments for similar conditions and patient characteristics. The future for PACE includes a number of possibilities including flexibility in financing and reimbursement, design changes to work with community-based physicians, potential eligibility adjustments, and growth of rural PACE. The PACE model has clearly demonstrated that in a debilitated, frail population in whom health care expenses would be expect to be high, a combination of team care, managed health care services, and care coordination can lead to both improved health outcomes and reduced expenses over time.