Marilyn Chappelle passionately presented facts, statistics and case studies about the PACE program at Mercy Medical’s CEU program for social workers and discharge planners. Pictured at the program are the event organizers from left Linda Lackey, PACE program administrator LTC division; Diane Lancaster, Mercy Medical vice president of quality and risk; Ginger Wettingfeld, associated director of LTC project development unit; Sherry Lea-Bloodworth, Mercy Medical vice president of development and advocacy; Marilyn Chappelle, director of LTC division; Sr. Deborah Kennedy, RSM, Mercy Medical vice president of mission; Donna Wilhelm, Mercy Medical vice president of sales and marketing; and Stephanie Pierce, Mercy Medical senior living consultant.

Mercy Medical sponsored an educational program, presented by Marilyn Chappelle on PACE, the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, to more than 70 social workers and discharge planners. Chappelle has been with the Medicaid Agency since December of 1985 and has led the Medicaid Agency’s 2009 Long-Term Care Rebalancing Advisory Committee activities. She currently directs the implementation of the recommendations resulting from the work of this committee. Alabama is in the process to become the 31st state to operate a PACE program.

In an effort to educate the community on PACE, the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Mercy Medical hosted a brunch and learn, presented by Marilyn Chappelle, to more than 70 social workers and discharge planners of Mobile and Baldwin counties at Five Rivers in Spanish Fort, AL. Chappelle, the director of the long-term care division with the Alabama Medicaid Agency, is responsible for the management of current long-term care programs and developing policies and procedures related to other long term care initiatives including PACE.

PACE, a unique capitated managed care benefit for the frail elderly, is provided by a not-for-profit or public entity. The PACE program features a comprehensive medical and social service delivery system using an interdisciplinary team approach in an adult day health center that is supplemented by in-home and referral services in accordance to the participant’s needs. In order to be eligible for PACE a person must be aged 55 or older, eligible for nursing home care, and live in an area served by a PACE program.

PACE began in the mid-70’s in San Francisco. Today, there are currently 74 PACE programs operational in 30 states, with around 20,000 participants nationwide. Alabama is in the process to become the 31st state to operate a PACE program. The PACE program will provide participants with community services and support based upon their individual needs designed by an interdisciplinary team. This program is different from home and community-based waiver programs in that the provider receives a capitated payment and is responsible for total patient care including doctor, hospital, and nursing home care along with medications, lab tests and other services. A PACE participant is free to disenroll from PACE and resume their benefits in the traditional Medicare and Medicaid programs at any time.

Every PACE program has a health center where the care for each participant is coordinated, including clinical and rehabilitative services. Participants visit, socialize and build relationships with doctors, nurses and other program participants at the Center. Transportation to and from the center is provided for the participants.

According to the National PACE Association, the typical PACE participant is on average 80 years old, female, has 7.9 medical conditions and is limited in approximately three activities of daily living. Forty-nine percent of PACE participants have been diagnosed with dementia. Despite a high level of care needs, more than 90% of PACE participants are able to continue to live in the community. The majority of PACE participants qualify for Medicare and Medicaid.

The PACE organization provides care and services in the home, the community and at the PACE center. The PACE organization supports family members and other caregivers with training and respite care to help families keep their loved ones at home. PACE focuses on preventative care.

For an hour, Chappelle passionately presented facts, statistics and case studies about the program. “Without PACE, families would not be able to keep working and care for loved ones at home. Having my own personal experience, I can testify that PACE is a vital option to help families and caregivers not institutionalize their nursing home eligible loved ones. PACE reduces nursing home admissions and their related operational costs and saves taxpayers’ money,” shared Chappelle. Great interest from a captivated audience was showcased through the many questions asked at the closing of the program.

Chappelle has been with the Medicaid Agency since December of 1985 and has led the Medicaid Agency’s 2009 Long-Term Care Rebalancing Advisory Committee activities. She currently directs the implementation of the recommendations resulting from the work of this committee. Chappelle and her staff were recently awarded the 2009 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regional Award for Excellence for Home and Community-Based Services.

Chappelle received her BS in nursing from Troy State University and prior to joining the State of Alabama Medicaid Agency, worked in the hospital and in home health setting as a staff and charge nurse, and served as an officer in the Army Nurse Corps for 6 years.

If you would like more information on PACE, please contact Gemma Campbell at 251-287-8420 or visit www.mercymedical.com/pace.