DOH Issues Request for Information on PACE Expansion

The Department of Health (DOH) has issued a request for information (RFI) seeking to identify strategies and opportunities to enhance and expand the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model. According to the RFI, the PACE model supports “many of the key aspects and objectives of the Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), the MRT Initiatives and the Olmstead decision.” PACE is an integrated managed care model that incorporates both the Medicare-funded physician and acute care services and the Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports. The model is driven by an interdisciplinary care management team that works to provide social and medical services primarily at a PACE center.

The RFI was issued in response to the recently enacted PACE Innovation Act, which authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements to design and test new models. Accordingly, CMS is permitting new entities to qualify as PACE providers and considering changes that would enable PACE to serve new populations in innovative ways.  For example, in June 2015, CMS exercised its waiver authority to allow for-profit entities to operate PACE demonstration programs.

Through the RFI, DOH is seeking both, to collect ideas for PACE expansion and to identify barriers to such expansion. It suggests that one barrier may be a lack of information about the PACE model and solicits input into strategies for educating the public about PACE.

The RFI seeks input from all interested parties, including:

• Organizations that have experience providing PACE model services;
• organizations that are interested in becoming PACE model service providers;
• individuals receiving PACE model services;
• individuals interested in receiving PACE model level of care and services;
• DSRIP Performing Provider System Leads;
• family members and caregivers of individuals receiving PACE model services; and
• family members and caregivers of individuals interested in receiving PACE model services.

The RFI should not be considered a solicitation for actual PACE expansion proposals. Rather, information gathered from responses may be used by DOH in the future to develop such a solicitation. Stakeholders may submit comments by completing this questionnaire by Thurs., March 18, 2016.

Contact:  Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 124.