The North Carolina PACE Association E-Newsletter
In this Issue: PACE, Medicaid Reform & the State Budget and More
August 2015
In This Issue
NC PACE Programs
Elderhaus
Wilmington, NC

Burlington, NC
Pittsboro, NC

Fayetteville, NC

Greensboro, NC

Newton, NC

Lexington, NC

Charlotte, NC

Durham, NC

Gastonia, NC

StayWell Senior Care
Asheboro, NC

Asheville, NC

Our Vision Statement
The Association serves as the credible voice and leader to advance PACE,
thereby transforming healthcare in North Carolina.

Educational Events
Alzheimer's Webinar
After the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Preparing the Patient and Caregivers. 8/12, 12-1:30pm; free; registration required.

ICD-10 Webinars
Capstone Training Series to assist with ICD-10 transition. 8/19, 8/27, 9/3 and 9/9, 3-4pm; free; registration required.

Day Center Webinar
Managing Day Center Capacity: A Systematic Needs-Based Approach to Assigning Center Days. 9/8, 3-4:15; $125 per organization for NPA members; registration required.


For more information and other educational opportunities, visit the NC PACE Association website.

Other Opportunities
NCIOM Task Forces
The NC Institute of Medicine is facilitating task forces on Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia, mental health and substance abuse, and patient and family engagement. NC PACE Association is represented on the dementia task force by Karen Oldham, Executive Director of Senior CommUnity Care of NC. The Alzheimer's task force met most recently on July 24th. PACE was mentioned as another care alternative.  Access the presentations and read more about Task Force opportunities

Dr. Wos Resigns; Brajer is New DHHS Secretary
Wos and McCrory 
(credit: WRAL)
Dr. Aldona Wos has resigned as the  North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary effective August 14th. Governor McCrory has named Rick Brajer as her replacement. He starts August 17th. Read more at WRAL and N&O.

PACE, Medicaid Reform, and the State Budget

The NC Senate, which had rejected the House Medicaid reform plan and included its own version as part of the state budget proposal, revised its Medicaid reform plan and removed it (and other major policy proposals) from the state budget package in an effort to ease the budget stalemate with the NC House. The new Senate proposal calls for delivery of care through both MCOs and provider-led entities (PLEs), and creates a new Department of Medicaid, rather than the independent agency initially proposed. This is closer to the House version, which supports PLEs and maintains administration by DHHS.
 
The new Senate hybrid MCO/PLE model also specifically excludes all dual eligibles from coverage. Previous versions (both House and Senate) only excluded a small subset of dual eligibles (those for whom Medicaid paid only the Medicare premium). The Senate is expected to finalize its new version this week. It will then go back to the House, so much discussion remains.
 
The NC PACE Association is working to ensure that PACE remains a viable option for NC's frail seniors, whatever the final reform package. The House and Senate are in agreement on the intent of reform: providing "budget predictability for taxpayers...while ensuring quality of care to those in need".  As we know, PACE does that beautifully, and it does it for the most expensive-to-serve segment of the population.
 
The more our legislators learn about PACE, the more friends we have, so don't miss any opportunity to encourage your legislators to visit a PACE program, even if there isn't one in your community.
PACE - A Glimpse of the Future
CMS calls PACE a 'Glimpse into Our Future'
National PACE Association reports that at a July 29th event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid,  Andy Slavitt, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), discussed a recent visit to On Lok Lifeways in San Francisco. "On Lok [is] part of a very important program called PACE," Slavitt said. "Places like On Lok really impress me. When I visit them, I feel like I'm glimpsing very much into our future."   Read more and watch video

PACE Innovation Act Passes Senate
NPA also reports that on August 5th, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that authorizes CMS to test the PACE model with new populations, including younger individuals with disabilities, at-risk seniors and other high-cost populations.  Our thanks to North Carolina Senator Richard Burr who was a co-sponsor! House sponsors are still being sought if you would like to contact your Congressperson to co-sponsor.  Read more
Save the Date!
Mark your calendar and join us  April 28-29, 2016  in Durham, NC for the third annual statewide NC PACE Association  "Setting the PACE" conference

Let us know  if you'd like to be involved in the planning or if there is a particular topic or speaker you'd like to see.
PACE in the News
PACE of the Triad on Fox 8 Morning News
On July 29th, Executive Director Ursula Robinson, LCSW, MHA, discussed early planning for "aging in place" (staying in your home or community of choice), on the "House Calls" segment of this local morning news TV show. On July 24th, Center Manager Ellen Smith, RN, discussed the sometimes subtle signs of changes in our aging parents that might cause safety concerns, and how to assist them in remaining safely in the home. Thanks (and congratulations) to PACE of the Triad for representing us so well!

Ursula Robinson, PACE of the Triad Executive Director, with  NC DMA 
Deputy Secretary Dave Richard
PACE of the Triad
Receives Check 
PACE of the Triad was the recipient of a gift from the Guilford Medical and Dental Managers at their July luncheon. The guest speaker was Dave Richard , Deputy Secretary of the N.C. Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid), who spoke about the North Carolina Medicaid Program. Read more
People Setting the PACE 
PACE of the Southern Piedmont in Charlotte, NC welcomes Renee Rizzuti as its new Executive DirectorRenee is a strategic healthcare leader with extensive experience with the healthcare continuum; having twenty years of leadership experience with nationally recognized organizations.  

Piedmonth Health SeniorCare in Burlington, NC welcomes Dr. Sharon Reilly as a provider for seniors in the PACE program. Sharon first became interested in PACE when it was introduced to the rural area of Virginia where she was practicing.

North Carolina PACE Association welcomes Robin Iten Porter as its new Education and Member Services Coordinator. Robin will be helping the Association meet the needs of its constituents through educational programs, committee support and communications. 

Welcome, Renee, Sharon, and Robin!

Send your personnel updates to Robin for inclusion in upcoming newsletters.