The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a managed care model of acute and long-term care that integrates the provision and financing of medical and long-term care services. The PACE model is centered on the belief it is better for the well-being of seniors with chronic care needs and their families to be served in the community whenever possible.
The goal is to maximize the participant’s autonomy and ability to reside in their community while receiving quality care at lower cost relative to the Medicare, Medicaid and private-pay traditional payment systems.

Cherokee Elder Care (CEC), Oklahoma’s first PACE organization opened its doors in August of 2008 in Tahlequah Oklahoma. CEC is the first PACE organization sponsored by a Native American tribe in the nation. In January of 2015, Oklahoma opened two additional centers; Life PACE located in Tulsa and Valir PACE Foundation located in Oklahoma City.

• 55 years or older
• live in the catchment area of the PACE program,
• live safely in the community at the time of enrollment
• eligible for nursing home care by the appropriate state agency.

The financial eligibility criteria and determination process is consistent with the state’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program, wherein income is equal to or less than 300% of SSI Medicaid coverage.

PACE receives Medicare and Medicaid capitation payments (dual capitation) for all participants eligible for services. Persons financially ineligible for Medicaid pay that amount privately (out-of-pocket).

PACE programs assume full financial risk for participant’s care without limits on dollars or duration and are responsible for a full range of needed services.

An interdisciplinary team, consisting of professional and paraprofessional staff and the participant, assesses and discusses the participant’s needs.  The team develops a care plan and thereafter delivers services which are integrated for a seamless provision of total care.

Primary care, social work and restorative therapy are a few of the services PACE provides. PACE provides long term care services, such as, transportation, meals and personal care.Participants can receive these services at the PACE center, at home and in the hospital.

By delivering all needed medical and supportive services, the program is able to provide the entire continuum of care and services to seniors with chronic care needs. Use of preventative and rehabilitative services can stabilize chronic conditions and prevent or lessen complications of disease, thereby enhancing participants' lives.

The PACE benefit package for all participants, regardless of the source of payment, includes all Medicaid-covered services, as specified in the State's approved Medicaid plan:

• Adult day care that offers nursing; physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapies;  meals; nutritional counseling; social work and personal care
• Medical care provided by a PACE physician familiar with the history, needs and preferences of each participant
• Home health care and personal care
• All necessary prescription drugs
• Social services
• Respite care
• Nursing home care when necessary
• Acute Hospital care
• Medical Specialty services

• PA for ventilator dependent and HIV/Aids patients
  (405) 522-7389
• Cost Report Filing/Payment Rates
  (405) 522-7637
  (405) 522-7098 or
  (405) 522-7294
• Long-Term Care Claims
  (405) 522-7413
• Level of Care Evaluation Unit
  PASRR
  405-522-7133 or
  405-522-7674
  TEFRA fax
  405-530-3312
• more contacts »

For information, please email PACEinquiry@okhca.org.

PACE organizations: