PACE program officially launches in Greater Peoria area
It’s a new and exciting day for older adults receiving health care services in the Greater Peoria area.
After months of preparation, the state of Illinois and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have awarded OSF HealthCare a contract to be one of the first in the state to offer Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Enrollment for the program, known as OSF PACE, is currently underway with services officially beginning June 1.
“OSF PACE will really help the people in the Tri-County area stay in their home and community,” says Nathan Pritzker, executive director of OSF PACE. “No one wants to go into a nursing home, no one wants to have choppy and disjointed care for themselves, or their elderly loved one who is at risk of a nursing home placement. We make sure that an undesirable scenario doesn’t have to happen. We walk alongside the individual, support them in their needs and journey, and help them stay independent longer and healthier.”
OSF PACE offices and services will be located at 719 N. William Kumpf Blvd., Ste. #300, in downtown Peoria. The location also houses OSF Senior World, which has provided adult day care services for older individuals, and those who are disabled or cognitively impaired since 1981. OSF Senior World adult day care services will continue to be offered both independently and as part of the OSF PACE program.
“OSF PACE really allows us to have a more expansive and global offering for individuals who enroll with us. We serve people where they are,” Pritzker says. “We meet people in their homes and in the community and follow alongside them throughout their whole journey and walk of life.”
What is PACE?
PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid risk-based care program with set fees that offers comprehensive, team-based medical and social services for seniors through collaborating health care agencies. PACE has already been deployed in over 30 other states prior to being introduced in Illinois.
The overarching goals of PACE are to improve the health and wellness of individuals at risk of having to be placed in a nursing home, while providing personalized solutions that improve outcomes, decrease disparities and are sustainable over time. The program offers all-inclusive support for older adults to age at home. PACE also brings relief to the growing number of family caregivers meeting the health care and social needs of older adults every day.
Who is eligible?
“Anyone who is 55 years of age or older, a resident of our service area and meets nursing home eligibility criteria can enroll in OSF PACE,” Pritzker says.
To learn more about PACE, you can get started by calling (833) 401-1679. In addition, you can visit the OSF PACE website.