PACE Leaders Welcome Push for Greater Transparency and Smarter Oversight
PACE Leaders Welcome Push for Greater Transparency and Smarter Oversight
PACE Advocates Applaud Federal Recommendations to Improve Oversight and Transparency
New recommendations from MACPAC aim to streamline audits, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen public visibility into the value of PACE programs nationwide.
Advocates for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are welcoming a new set of federal recommendations designed to improve oversight coordination, transparency, and quality measurement across the growing care model.
The recommendations, recently approved by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), will be included in the commission’s June report to Congress and focus on strengthening collaboration between federal and state regulators while modernizing quality reporting for PACE organizations.
The National PACE Association (NPA) praised the recommendations as an important step toward supporting the continued growth and long-term sustainability of the program.
— Tonya Saffer, Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer, National PACE Association
According to NPA, there are currently 202 nonprofit and for-profit PACE organizations operating across 33 states, reflecting steady national growth in the integrated care model for older adults with complex healthcare needs.
Focus on Coordinated Oversight
One of the primary concerns identified during MACPAC’s two-year review process was the lack of coordination between federal and state audits of PACE organizations.
To address that issue, MACPAC recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) update audit protocols and revise three-way program agreements to facilitate joint audits between CMS and state administering agencies.
Advocates say the recommendation could significantly reduce duplicative administrative requirements while creating a more streamlined oversight process for providers.
Why It Matters
PACE organizations frequently navigate both federal and state oversight processes. Better audit coordination could reduce administrative burden, improve operational efficiency, and allow organizations to focus more resources on patient care delivery.
Increased Transparency and Quality Reporting
MACPAC also highlighted concerns regarding the limited availability of accessible public information about PACE quality and performance outcomes.
In response, the commission recommended that CMS:
- Aggregate and publicly release existing PACE performance data in a more user-friendly format
- Develop a standardized national quality measure set for PACE organizations
Industry leaders say these recommendations could help strengthen public understanding of the PACE model while providing policymakers and consumers with clearer insight into program performance and outcomes.
While these transparency initiatives may take longer to implement, advocates describe them as foundational steps toward improving accountability and demonstrating the value of coordinated care for aging populations.
Supporting Responsible Growth
As interest in home- and community-based care models continues to grow, PACE programs are increasingly viewed as an important part of the long-term care continuum, particularly for older adults who qualify for nursing home-level care but wish to remain living in the community.
Advocates say the MACPAC recommendations reflect broader recognition that oversight systems must evolve alongside the expansion of innovative care models.
NPA leaders also indicated they hope to work closely with CMS as implementation discussions move forward.
MACPAC’s recommendations are expected to be formally published in the commission’s June report to Congress.