Issue 9 
Our Members
October 2016
Report from Bipartisan Policy Center Recommends New PACE Initiatives 

A report released in September by the nonprofit Bipartisan Policy Center recommends that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) test several variations of the PACE model of care as part of an overall approach to improve services for beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.  The initiatives recommended in the report, titled "Delivery System Reform: Improving Care for Individuals Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid", include an expansion of the program to individuals, regardless of age, who meet all other PACE criteria but do not require a nursing home level of care; an option that permits individuals to enroll in PACE but opt out of adult day services; and an option that combines Medicare-covered services and a beneficiary "buy-in" of a limited long-term services and supports (LTSS) benefit that is less than the full range of Medicaid-covered LTSS, for individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid and whose income exceeds 300 percent of Social Security eligibility income.   Read more
 
New Regulations Proposed for PACE  
 
On August 17 the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released long-awaited regulatory changes that are designed to revise and update federal Medicare and Medicaid requirements for the PACE program.  The proposed changes seek to strengthen protections and improve care for beneficiaries while providing administrative flexibility and regulatory relief for PACE organizations, including greater operational flexibility and more streamlined regulatory and data reporting processes. Among the proposed changes are those to provide PACE organizations with more flexibility in how they constitute and use the interdisciplinary team, and to allow community physicians to be involved in the interdisciplinary care team.  CalPACE plans to submit comments by the October 16 deadline for public comments on the proposed regulations.  Read more .
CMS Hosts National PACE Conference, 
Outlines its Implementation of the PACE Innovation Act

On July 7 & 8 the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hosted a two-day national conference in Baltimore, MD which dr
ew representatives of PACE organizations from across the country.  The conference showcased how CMS is adapting and updating its oversight of PACE, including in the areas of compliance monitoring, quality measurement, and financial oversight.  CMS representatives also outlined the steps the agency is taking to implement the PACE Innovation Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by the President last year.  The Act authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to test models of care adapted from the PACE model for beneficiaries under age 55 who meet a nursing home level of care, as well as those under and over 55 who do not yet meet qualifications for institutional level of care.  Read More.


CalPACE Selects 2016 Legislators of the Year
 
CalPACE has selected Senator Holly Mitchell and Senator Jeff Stone, chair and member of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services respectively, as 2016 CalPACE Legislators of the Year, in recognition of their support of PACE in the deliberations on this year's budget and budget trailer bills.  The 2016-17 budget includes funds for PACE expansion and also contains the PACE Modernization Act, which updates the payment and regulatory provisions governing PACE and provides a foundation for further expansion of the PACE model of care in California.

On Lok Appoints New Officers

In early August On Lok, a pioneer and leader in the development of the PACE model of care, appointed Gary Campanella as Chief Financial Officer and Joy Moore as Chief Human Resources Officer.  Prior to joining On Lok, Campanella was Vice President of Finance and Administration at Access Clinical Partners, a national developer and operator of urgent care clinics.  Prior to joining On Lok, Moore was Senior Human Resources Consultant and Owner at FJI Consulting, where worked with large Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and small businesses. 
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 over 6,000 participants through 35 PACE centers in twelve counties.
 
For further information, visit our website at  www.calpace.org .
 
Peter Hansel
Chief Executive Officer
CalPACE

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Sacramento, CA 95814