Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) helps seniors who qualify for nursing home care stay at home with comprehensive medical and social services. Medicare and Medicaid approved.
Last Updated: January 26, 2026 | 390 PACE providers nationwide in 34 states + DC
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare and Medicaid program designed to help seniors who need nursing home level care continue living at home and in their community. PACE provides comprehensive medical care, social services, and long-term care services through an interdisciplinary team approach.
Established in 1997 as a permanent Medicare benefit, PACE serves frail older adults who meet their state's criteria for nursing home admission but prefer to remain in their homes. As of 2026, there are 390 PACE provider locations across 34 states, with major concentrations in California (77 providers), Pennsylvania (50 providers), and New York (29 providers). The program combines medical care, adult day services and home care, and social support into one coordinated benefit.
PACE is not a building or facility—it's a healthcare program. Participants live at home or in assisted living and receive coordinated services through a PACE organization. The adult day center is a key component but not a residential facility.
PACE eligibility is determined by four main criteria. You must meet all four requirements to qualify for enrollment in a PACE program.
You must be 55 years or older. There is no upper age limit—PACE serves individuals in their 90s and 100s.
You must live in the service area of a PACE organization. PACE programs operate in specific counties or regions. As of 2026, PACE is available in 34 states plus Washington D.C.
You must be certified by your state to need nursing home level of care. This means requiring substantial assistance with:
PACE determines you can live safely in the community with their services. This assessment considers your home environment, support system, and willingness to participate in the program (especially day center attendance).
You must be eligible for one of the following:
PACE provides all Medicare-covered and Medicaid-covered services, plus additional services as determined by the interdisciplinary team. There are no coverage limits, prior authorizations, or service caps.
The PACE adult day health center is the hub of the program. Most participants attend the center 2-5 days per week, typically from 9am to 4pm. The center provides:
PACE cost depends on your Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. The program is designed to be affordable for low-income seniors while also accepting Medicare-only and private pay participants.
If you have Medicaid (with or without Medicare), PACE is completely free. No premiums, no deductibles, no copayments, no coinsurance.
What's included: All medical care, prescriptions, long-term care services, meals, transportation, and day center attendance at no cost.
If you have Medicare but not Medicaid, you pay a monthly premium that covers the cost of long-term care services not covered by Medicare.
Some PACE programs accept private pay participants who don't qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. This is rare and availability varies by PACE organization.
Typical cost: $6,000-$9,000 per month depending on location and services used. Contact specific PACE programs in your area to ask about private pay options.
| Care Type | Average Monthly Cost (2026) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| PACE (Medicaid) | $0 | All medical, long-term care, medications, meals, transportation |
| PACE (Medicare only) | $5,800 | All medical, long-term care, medications, meals, transportation |
| Nursing Home | $10,965 | 24/7 care, meals, housing, medical care |
| Assisted Living | $5,900 | Housing, meals, personal care (medical care separate) |
| Home Care (30 hrs/week) | $3,900 | Personal care only (medical care, housing separate) |
For Medicare-only participants, PACE costs about half of nursing home care while allowing you to remain at home. For Medicaid recipients, PACE provides comprehensive care at no cost—an exceptional value compared to piecing together home care, medical care, and transportation separately. Compare with other senior care funding options.
PACE is an excellent fit for some seniors but not right for everyone. Consider these advantages and limitations when deciding if PACE meets your needs.
PACE works best for seniors who:
PACE may not be ideal if you highly value independence, want to maintain your current medical providers, prefer to stay home most days, or have relatively minimal care needs. Consider alternatives like assisted living or home care services.
Use the National PACE Association directory to locate PACE organizations serving your area:
Enter your ZIP code to find PACE organizations in your area
Medicare representatives can identify PACE programs near you
Medicaid offices maintain lists of PACE providers in their state
Once you identify PACE programs in your area, call to schedule an informational meeting. During this meeting, you'll:
If you decide to proceed, PACE will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine eligibility:
The assessment typically takes 2-3 hours and can be done at your home, at the PACE center, or a combination of both. PACE social workers and nurses will help gather necessary medical records and documentation.
Once approved for eligibility, enrollment usually occurs within 30 days:
Sign enrollment agreement, Medicare/Medicaid assignment forms, and consent forms. PACE staff will help you understand all documents.
PACE requests medical records from your current providers. You'll be assigned a PACE primary care physician and meet your interdisciplinary team.
The team creates an individualized care plan addressing your medical, functional, social, and personal needs. This plan is reviewed and updated regularly.
Begin attending the adult day health center according to your care plan schedule (typically 2-5 days per week). Transportation picks you up at home.
PACE continues coordinating all aspects of care, adjusting services as needs change, and providing 24/7 access to the care team.
Most PACE programs offer a trial period (typically 30-90 days) during which you can decide if the program works for you. If PACE isn't a good fit, you can disenroll and return to Original Medicare and other care arrangements without penalty.
Use the interactive map below to find PACE organizations in your state. Click on any state to see the complete list of PACE programs, including contact information and addresses. For additional state-specific senior care resources, visit our local resources directory.
Hover to see provider counts. Click on a state to view PACE providers. PACE is available in 34 states + DC (390 providers nationwide).
Click on any state with PACE availability (shown in gray) on the map above to see the complete list of PACE organizations serving that state.
As of 2026, PACE operates in 34 states plus Washington D.C. Availability within states varies—some states have multiple PACE organizations while others have only one or two programs serving limited counties.
Even within states that have PACE, programs serve specific geographic areas (usually counties or regions). Use the PACE finder to determine if your address falls within a service area. If you live outside all PACE service areas, you'll need to consider alternative care options.
PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It is a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive medical care and social services to help seniors who qualify for nursing home care remain living at home in their community.
To qualify for PACE, you must be 55 years or older, live in a service area where a PACE program operates, need nursing home level of care as certified by your state, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE services. You must also be eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or both.
If you have Medicaid, there is no premium, deductible, or copayment for PACE services. If you have Medicare only (not Medicaid), you pay a monthly premium for long-term care services (typically $4,500-$7,000/month) and a premium for Part D drugs, but no deductibles or copayments. Private pay options exist for those with neither Medicare nor Medicaid.
PACE covers all Medicare and Medicaid services including:
No, you must use PACE doctors and providers. PACE participants receive care exclusively from the PACE program's interdisciplinary team. This requirement allows the team to coordinate all aspects of your care, which is central to the PACE model. If maintaining your current providers is important to you, PACE may not be the right fit.
As of 2026, there are approximately 155 PACE organizations operating in 34 states plus Washington D.C., serving over 65,000 participants nationwide. PACE availability varies significantly by location, with many states having no PACE programs and others having multiple options.
Yes, most PACE participants are required to attend the adult day health center several days per week (typically 2-5 days). The day center is where you receive medical care, therapies, meals, and social activities. Exceptions may be made for individuals who are homebound, but regular participation is generally expected and beneficial.
Yes, most PACE programs offer a trial period (typically 30-90 days) during which you can participate in the program and determine if it meets your needs. If PACE isn't a good fit, you can disenroll and return to Original Medicare and other care arrangements without penalty during this trial period.
If your care needs increase to the point where you require 24/7 nursing care, PACE will arrange and coordinate your nursing home placement. PACE continues to manage all aspects of your care in the nursing home, and you remain enrolled in the PACE program. For Medicaid participants, all nursing home costs are covered at no charge.
Yes, you can voluntarily disenroll from PACE at any time. You'll return to Original Medicare and will need to arrange separate Medicaid services (if applicable), find new doctors, and coordinate your own care. PACE can also involuntarily disenroll participants who move out of the service area, no longer meet eligibility criteria, or disrupt the program environment.
PACE is just one of many ways to pay for senior care. Explore comprehensive guides to Medicaid, VA benefits, Medicare, and other funding sources. Need help navigating care options? Our caregiver support resources can help.