What is the PACE program?

PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare and Medicaid program providing comprehensive medical, social, and long-term care services for adults 55 and older who qualify for nursing home level of care but prefer to live in the community. PACE covers everything from primary care and specialist visits to adult day services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, transportation, and caregiver support — all coordinated by an interdisciplinary team.

Who qualifies for PACE?

To qualify for PACE, a person must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be certified by the state as needing nursing-home level of care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support. Most PACE participants are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, making PACE free or very low-cost. People with Medicare only or Medicaid only may also participate with a monthly premium.

How much does PACE cost?

For people who are dually enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, PACE is typically free — Medicare and Medicaid pay all costs. Medicaid-only participants pay a premium for the Medicare portion. People with only Medicare pay a monthly premium for the Medicaid portion (varies by state). There are no copays or deductibles for covered services.

Where is PACE available in Florida?

Florida has PACE organizations in several metro areas including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Orlando. The Florida PACE Association lists current service areas at floridapace.org. Not all counties are served — contact your local ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) for the nearest PACE provider.

How is PACE different from a nursing home?

PACE allows participants to live at home (or in an assisted living facility) rather than in a nursing home. Participants come to a PACE day center for medical care, therapies, meals, and social activities — typically 2–5 days per week. PACE provides the same level of coordination as a nursing home, but in a community-based setting. Most PACE participants report higher quality of life and prefer PACE to institutional care.

Medicaid & Long-Term Care

PACE Program: All-Inclusive Senior Care (2026) | Eligibility & Florida Locations

Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) covers medical, dental, social, and transportation for nursing-home-eligible seniors who want to stay home. Free for dual Medicare/Medicaid enrollees.

8 min readUpdated 2026-07-11

PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is one of the most comprehensive senior care programs available in the United States — yet fewer than 1% of eligible seniors use it. For families in Florida and other high-enrollment states, PACE can replace thousands of dollars in monthly care costs with a single integrated program.

At its core, PACE is a 'nursing home without walls': it provides nursing-home-level coordination and services while the participant lives at home. Participants visit a PACE day center multiple days per week and receive all covered services through a single care team.

What PACE covers

Primary care and specialist visits at the PACE center
All prescription medications on formulary
Hospital and emergency care
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Adult day services with meals and social activities
Transportation to and from the PACE center
Home health aide and personal care services
Dental, vision, and hearing services
Caregiver support and respite care
Nursing home placement if needed (covered by PACE)

PACE eligibility requirements

Age 55 or older
Certified by the state as requiring nursing-home level of care
Lives in the PACE program's service area
Able to live safely in the community with PACE support
Enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or both (private pay also possible)

Florida PACE: the largest senior market in the country

Florida has the highest percentage of seniors (65+) of any large state at 20.9% — 4.52 million people. PACE organizations operating in Florida serve metro areas including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando. Florida's status as an income-cap Medicaid state means PACE can also help families avoid Miller Trust complications: PACE as a Medicaid managed care program uses different income rules than standard institutional Medicaid.

Florida seniors who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid pay $0 out of pocket for PACE. Contact the Florida ADRC at elderaffairs.org or call 1-800-96-ELDER to find the PACE provider nearest to your zip code.

How to enroll in PACE

Step 1: Confirm you live in a PACE service area (find at npaonline.org/pace-locations)
Step 2: Contact the PACE organization for an enrollment assessment
Step 3: State conducts level-of-care evaluation (nursing-home necessity)
Step 4: PACE team develops an individualized care plan
Step 5: Enrollment begins — all Medicare/Medicaid services transfer to PACE

PACE vs. other care options

vs. Nursing home: PACE costs the same or less for Medicaid enrollees, with better quality-of-life outcomes
vs. Home health aide: PACE is comprehensive; home health covers only specific medical tasks
vs. Assisted living: PACE covers medical costs that assisted living does not
vs. HCBS waiver: PACE is a capitated Medicaid managed care model — no waitlists in most areas

Find PACE in your state

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PACE program?: PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Medicare and Medicaid program providing comprehensive medical, social, and long-term care services for adults 55 and older who qualify for nursing home level of care but prefer to live in the community. PACE covers everything from primary care and specialist visits to adult day services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, transportation, and caregiver support — all coordinated by an interdisciplinary team.
Who qualifies for PACE?: To qualify for PACE, a person must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be certified by the state as needing nursing-home level of care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support. Most PACE participants are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, making PACE free or very low-cost. People with Medicare only or Medicaid only may also participate with a monthly premium.
How much does PACE cost?: For people who are dually enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, PACE is typically free — Medicare and Medicaid pay all costs. Medicaid-only participants pay a premium for the Medicare portion. People with only Medicare pay a monthly premium for the Medicaid portion (varies by state). There are no copays or deductibles for covered services.
Where is PACE available in Florida?: Florida has PACE organizations in several metro areas including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Orlando. The Florida PACE Association lists current service areas at floridapace.org. Not all counties are served — contact your local ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Center) for the nearest PACE provider.
How is PACE different from a nursing home?: PACE allows participants to live at home (or in an assisted living facility) rather than in a nursing home. Participants come to a PACE day center for medical care, therapies, meals, and social activities — typically 2–5 days per week. PACE provides the same level of coordination as a nursing home, but in a community-based setting. Most PACE participants report higher quality of life and prefer PACE to institutional care.

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