What PACE Senior Transportation Is

PACE stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It is a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive care for seniors age 55 and older who live in the community but need nursing home-level care. Transportation is built into PACE — the program arranges and pays for rides to medical appointments, adult day centers, and other program services. You do not arrange your own transportation or pay per trip.

PACE is different from regular senior transportation services. Instead of calling a ride service for individual trips, you enroll in the entire PACE program, which coordinates your medical care, social services, and transportation as one package. The program sends a van to pick you up, take you to the PACE center or a medical appointment, and bring you home. All rides related to PACE services are covered.

Key Takeaways

  • PACE provides transportation to all program activities and medical appointments as part of your enrollment — you do not pay separately for rides.
  • You must be age 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, and need nursing home-level care to be considered for the program.
  • PACE operates in specific geographic areas, so availability depends on where you live; you can search for programs in your state on the National PACE Association website.
  • Once enrolled, PACE staff coordinate all your transportation, medical visits, and social activities through one integrated program.
  • Transportation is one piece of PACE; the program also covers doctor visits, prescription drugs, hospital care, and adult day services.

Who Can Enroll in PACE

To use PACE transportation, you must first meet the requirements to enroll in PACE itself. You must be age 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, and be approved by a PACE team as someone who needs nursing home-level care but can safely live in the community with support. A PACE nurse and doctor will assess your health and daily living needs during an in-person evaluation.

You do not have to be poor to enroll in PACE, but you must have Medicare, Medicaid, or both. If you have Medicare only, PACE will bill Medicare for your care. If you have Medicaid only, PACE will bill Medicaid. Some people have both, and PACE coordinates billing between them. Your income and assets do not disqualify you — the program is based on your health needs, not your finances.

You must also live within the geographic service area of a PACE organization. PACE programs operate in specific counties or regions, not statewide. If you live outside a PACE service area, you cannot enroll, even if you meet all other requirements.

Finding a PACE Program Near You

PACE programs are not in every state or every county. As of now, PACE operates in about 30 states, with programs concentrated in California, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania. To find out whether a PACE program serves your area, visit the National PACE Association website and use their program locator tool. You can search by state or zip code.

When you find a program near you, contact them directly to ask whether you live in their service area and whether they are currently accepting new members. Some programs have waiting lists. The program will schedule an in-person assessment to determine whether you meet the care requirements for enrollment.

If no PACE program serves your area, ask your doctor or local Area Agency on Aging about other senior transportation options. Many counties offer separate transportation services for seniors, even if PACE is not available.

How Transportation Works Once You Are Enrolled

Once you enroll in PACE, the program assigns you a care coordinator who manages your schedule. When you need to see a doctor, visit the PACE adult day center, or go to a hospital appointment, your coordinator arranges the transportation. A PACE van picks you up at your home at a scheduled time, takes you to your appointment, and brings you back home. The driver is trained to information seniors and can help you in and out of the vehicle if needed.

You do not call a separate transportation company or pay a driver. PACE handles all logistics. If you have a medical appointment outside the PACE program — for example, with a specialist not affiliated with PACE — you should tell your care coordinator so they can arrange the ride and make sure the appointment fits into your overall care plan.

Transportation is available during PACE program hours, which vary by location. Most programs operate Monday through Friday during business hours, with some offering weekend or evening services. If you need transportation for a medical emergency, you would call 911, not PACE transportation.

What PACE Covers Beyond Transportation

Transportation is one benefit of PACE, but the program is designed to cover most of your health care needs. PACE pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, physical therapy, mental health counseling, dental care, vision care, hearing aids, and adult day services. The program also arranges home care, meal delivery, and social activities. You typically pay nothing out of pocket for these services — PACE covers them as part of your enrollment.

Because PACE is all-inclusive, you are not supposed to use other Medicare Advantage plans or supplemental insurance while enrolled. PACE becomes your primary health plan. This means you see PACE doctors and use PACE services, though PACE can refer you to outside specialists when needed.

Costs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

PACE is free or low-cost depending on your insurance. If you have Medicare only, PACE is free — Medicare pays the program a monthly capitated rate to cover all your care, including transportation. If you have Medicaid, your state Medicaid program pays PACE, and you typically pay nothing. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, both programs contribute, and you usually pay nothing.

Some PACE programs charge a small monthly premium if you have Medicare only and no Medicaid, but this is rare and varies by program. Ask the PACE program directly what you would pay. Transportation itself is never billed separately — it is included in your PACE enrollment.

You may have copayments for certain services depending on your state's Medicaid rules, but transportation copayments are not standard. Check with your specific PACE program about any costs you might owe.

How to Start the Enrollment Process

Contact a PACE program in your area and ask to speak with an intake coordinator. You will need to provide basic information: your age, address, insurance details (Medicare and/or Medicaid), and a brief description of your health and daily living needs. The program will ask whether you live in their service area and whether they are currently enrolling new members.

If the program can serve you, they will schedule an in-person assessment. A PACE nurse and doctor will visit you at home or meet you at the PACE center to evaluate your health, mobility, cognitive function, and ability to live safely in the community. This assessment determines whether you need nursing home-level care — the key requirement for PACE enrollment.

If you are approved, you will sign an enrollment agreement and choose your primary care doctor within the PACE network. Your care coordinator will then begin scheduling your appointments and arranging transportation. The entire process from first contact to active enrollment typically takes two to four weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use PACE transportation if I only need rides and do not want the full PACE program?

No. Transportation is only available to people enrolled in the full PACE program. You cannot purchase transportation alone. If you need transportation but do not meet PACE requirements, contact your local Area Agency on Aging about other senior transportation services in your area.

What happens to my transportation if I move out of the PACE service area?

Your PACE enrollment ends if you move outside the service area. You would need to disenroll and look for transportation and health care services in your new location. If you are thinking about moving, talk to your PACE care coordinator about the timing and what services are available where you are going.

Do I have to go to the PACE adult day center to get transportation?

No. PACE transportation covers rides to medical appointments, the adult day center, and other PACE services. You are not required to attend the day center. However, many seniors find the day center helpful because it provides social activities, meals, and health monitoring in one place.

Can PACE transportation take me to non-medical appointments, like the grocery store or bank?

PACE transportation is for medical appointments and PACE program activities. It does not cover errands or social outings unrelated to your health care. Some PACE programs offer additional services or can refer you to community transportation for other needs, so ask your care coordinator.

What if I need transportation at night or on weekends?

Most PACE programs operate during business hours, Monday through Friday. If you need transportation outside these hours, ask your PACE program whether they offer extended hours or can arrange alternative transportation for emergencies. Some programs partner with local medical transport services for after-hours needs.