Section 441.88.21. Scope and definitions.

         88.21(1) Purpose. A program of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) organization provides prepaid, capitated, comprehensive health care services designed to meet the following objectives:

            a.               Enhance the quality of life and autonomy of frail older adults.

            b.               Maximize the dignity of and respect for frail older adults.

            c.               Enable frail older adults to live in the community as long as medically and socially feasible.

            d.               Preserve and support frail older adults’ family units.

         88.21(2) Scope. PACE programs may serve Medicaid members, Medicare beneficiaries, persons eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and private-pay individuals. Enrollment to receive services from a PACE organization is voluntary.

            a.               Enrollment is limited to persons who are 55 years of age or older and who need care at the nursing facility level but are able to live in a community setting without jeopardizing their health and safety.

            b.               If a Medicaid member chooses to enroll in a PACE program, the member must receive Medicaid benefits solely through the PACE organization while enrolled in the program.

         88.21(3) Authorization. A PACE organization must enter into a three-way agreement with the department and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

         88.21(4) Definitions. For purposes of this division:

“Alternate PACE service site” means a location outside a primary or alternate PACE center in which one or more PACE services are offered to PACE enrollees.

“Capitation rate” means the monthly fee the department pays to a PACE organization for each Medicaid enrollee for the provision of covered medical and health services, whether or not the enrollee received services during the month for which the fee is intended.

“CMS” means the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Contract year” means the term of a PACE program agreement. The term is a calendar year, with the exception that a PACE organization’s initial contract year is determined by CMS and may be from 12 to 23 months.

“Department” means the Iowa department of human services.

“Enrollee” means a person who is enrolled in a PACE program.

“Federal PACE regulations” means the standards published in 42 CFR Part 460, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. These rules shall be interpreted so as to comply with the federal PACE regulations.

“Interdisciplinary team” means the team designated by the PACE organization to assess the needs of and develop a comprehensive plan of care for each enrollee.

“Medicaid enrollee” means a Medicaid member who is enrolled in a PACE program.

“Medicare beneficiary” means a person who is entitled to Medicare Part A benefits, is enrolled under Medicare Part B, or both.

“Medicare enrollee” means a Medicare beneficiary who is enrolled in a PACE program.

“PACE” means programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly.

“PACE center” means a facility operated by a PACE organization where primary care is furnished to PACE enrollees. A primary PACE center is the principal facility operated by a PACE organization. An alternate PACE center is another facility operated by a PACE organization outside its primary center. “Primary care” shall include all program components in accordance with 42 CFR Section 460.92 as amended to December 8, 2006.

“PACE enrollment agreement” means the contract between the PACE organization and the enrollee that includes, at a minimum, all information identified in 42 CFR Section 460.154 as amended to December 8, 2006.

“PACE organization” means an entity that has in effect a PACE program agreement with the department and CMS to operate a PACE program in Iowa.

“PACE program” means a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly operated by an approved PACE organization that provides comprehensive health care services to enrollees in Iowa in accordance with a PACE program agreement.

“PACE program agreement” means a three-way agreement between CMS, the department, and an entity approved to be a PACE organization for the operation of a PACE program.

“Service area” means the specific counties in which a PACE provider may provide services, as identified in the PACE program agreement.

“Services” means both items and services provided to an enrollee by the PACE organization.

“Trial period” means the first three contract years in which a PACE organization operates under a PACE program agreement.

[ARC 2358C, IAB 1/6/16, effective 1/1/16]