CalPACE Newsletter: Issue #14

Enrollment in PACE in California reached a new milestone of over 7,400 participants as of January of this year. Eleven PACE sponsoring organizations are currently offering PACE services in twelve California counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. Pending applications are expected to extend PACE to several new counties by the end of 2019 and increase enrollment in currently served counties.

According to data collected by CalPACE, total enrollment in PACE in California has more than doubled in the last five years, consistent with the trends in many other states with PACE. Nationally, there are now 124 PACE programs operating in 31 states.

The continued growth of enrollment in PACE shows that the core features of the PACE model - providing comprehensive health and long-term supports and services through a person-centered, integrated model - appeal to older adults and seniors with higher needs who wish to continue to live at home and in the community as long as possible. Read the CalPACE Fact Sheet for more information on how PACE supports seniors in California.

NPA Releases PACE State Scorecard

In February of this year, the National PACE Association (NPA), released a State Scorecard containing key metrics for measuring growth and expansion of PACE in the states. This is the first time NPA has released a comprehensive assessment of how state policies may be impacting the growth and accessibility of PACE.

NPA envisions the scorecard as a tool to begin conversations between states and PACE organizations to facilitate best practices so that PACE model continues to grow and provides access for more adults and senior with complex needs.

The scorecard gives California high marks in the areas of supporting new PACE growth and supporting timely enrollment of new participants, but notes that California's approval process for PACE poses challenges in the area of facility licensing requirements for PACE. For more information, contact CalPACE.

PACE Center Openings

PACE organizations in California continue to expand to meet the needs of seniors throughout the state. The past several months have seen the openings of new PACE Centers at Center for Elders' Independence, On Lok Lifeways, and St. Paul's PACE. In addition, CalOptima PACE plans to expand services to Anaheim, Laguna Woods, and Santa Ana.

Center for Elders' Independence - San Leandro
Center for Elders' Independence opened the doors at its beautiful new center in San Leandro in March 2018. The center serves Alameda County seniors living in Hayward, East Oakland, San Leandro, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and neighboring communities. This state-of-the-art facility combines a PACE Clinic with an Adult Day Health Center. Read more.

On Lok Lifeways - East San Jose
On Lok Lifeways opened its East San Jose PACE Center in February 2018. The East San Jose PACE Center complements On Lok's six other PACE Centers serving three Bay Area counties, and means that On Lok will now have capacity to serve more than 350 nursing home-eligible residents in Santa Clara County. Read more.

St. Paul's PACE - El Cajon
St. Paul's Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly opened its new El Cajon location in early March. The new St. Paul's PACE East Center is located at 1306 Broadway in El Cajon and will serve as an extension of its two existing PACE locations. Read more.

CalOptima PACE - Anaheim, Laguna Woods, Santa Ana
CalOptima PACE is partnering with several adult health care centers to expand PACE services from its original Garden Grove location to Anaheim, Laguna Woods, and Santa Ana. Read more.

CalPACE Day in the Capitol

On March 14, CalPACE representatives held meetings in the California State Capitol to meet with their elected representatives. CalPACE recognized Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula as the 2017 Legislator of the Year and presented Andrea Margolis, Consultant to the Assembly Budget Committee, with the 2017 PACE Champion Award in recognition of their work and impact on advancing PACE in California. Both have a keen understanding of the PACE model of care and advocate for the expansion of PACE to better serve California's aging population.

CalPACE Congressional Visits - Capitol Hill

With umbrellas in hand, CalPACE representatives braced for Winter Storm Toby and headed to Capitol Hill on March 20th, visiting nearly three dozen Congressional representatives, including the offices of California Senators Feinstein and Harris.
This year's visit to Capitol Hill included three key requests: enhance PACE affordability and access to Medicare-only beneficiaries, support PACE pilots serving new populations, and contact CMS in support of issuing PACE final rule. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule (CMS 4168-P) on August 16, 2016, but has yet to release the final rule. The proposed rule's revisions to the PACE program would be the first updates since the original regulation was issued in 2006. Until a final rule is issued, PACE organizations continue to function under decade-old regulations that constrain growth, increase operation costs, and limit beneficiary access to this proven model of care.

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About CalPACE

CalPACE, the California PACE Association, is a 501(c)(6) association that is dedicated to the expansion of comprehensive health care services to seniors with chronic care needs through the Program of All-inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE). Through education and advocacy, CalPACE members strive to support, maintain, and safeguard the PACE model and promote high-quality comprehensive health care services to California's seniors.

There are currently eleven operational PACE organizations in California. Our members provide and coordinate services to more than 7,400 participants through 42 PACE Centers and Alternative Care Settings in twelve counties.

For further information, please call us at (855) 921-PACE or visit our website at www.calpace.org.

Peter Hansel

Chief Executive Officer

CalPACE