To enroll in PACE you must
- Be 55 or older
- Live in the service area of a PACE organization
- Be certified by the state as eligible for nursing home care
- Live in the community (not a nursing home)
- Be able to live safely in the community
- Agree to receive health services exclusively through the PACE organization, and
- Meet the Social Security Act Title XVI disability standards, if 55 through 64 years of age.
You do not need to be on MassHealth to enroll in PACE. However, if you meet the income and asset guidelines described below, you may be eligible for MassHealth and MassHealth may pay your PACE premium.
MassHealth income and asset rules for PACE include the following.
- Countable income must not be greater than 300% of the federal benefit rate. The Federal Benefit Rate changes every year. In 2014, 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate for a single person equaled $2, 205 a month. If a PACE participant’s countable income is greater than 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate, private pay options are available. The monthly premium charged to a PACE enrollee is based upon income.
- Countable assets must not be greater than $2,000.
NOTE: if you are married, your spouse's income and assets are not counted.