PACE Program Eligibility Checker
Check if you meet the four PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) eligibility requirements for 2026.
To qualify for PACE, you need to meet four requirements: be 55 or older, live in a PACE organization's service area, be certified by your state as needing a nursing home level of care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE's help. You don't need both Medicare and Medicaid, coverage status doesn't determine eligibility.
PACE helps people who need significant care avoid moving into a nursing home, by bringing coordinated medical and support services to them at home and through a day center. Eligibility comes down to four specific requirements, all of which have to be met. Answer the questions below to check where you stand on each one.
Check Your PACE Eligibility
PACE's four eligibility requirements work together, and all four matter equally. Age is the simplest: 55 or older, with no upper limit. Service area is often the biggest surprise, since PACE isn't available nationwide. Even in states with PACE programs, coverage is usually limited to specific counties or regions served by a local PACE organization, so living in a PACE state doesn't automatically mean PACE is available where you live. The care-level requirement means your state has to certify that you need the kind of support a nursing home would provide, based on an assessment of daily activities like bathing, dressing, and mobility. The last requirement surprises people in the opposite direction: despite needing that level of care, you also have to be able to live safely in the community with PACE's help, rather than requiring institutional care right now. One thing PACE doesn't require: you don't need both Medicare and Medicaid. Most participants have both, but Medicaid-only, Medicare-only, and private-pay enrollment are all possible too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for PACE?
You need to meet four requirements: be 55 or older, live in a PACE organization's service area, be certified by your state as needing a nursing home level of care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE's support.
Do I need both Medicare and Medicaid to qualify for PACE?
No. About 90% of participants are dual-eligible for both, but Medicaid-only, Medicare-only, and even private-pay participants can also enroll. Your coverage affects how you pay, not whether you're eligible.
Is PACE available everywhere?
No. As of 2026, PACE operates in 33-34 states plus DC, and even within those states, it's only available in specific counties or regions served by a local PACE organization.
What does "nursing home level of care" mean for PACE eligibility?
A state determination that you need the kind of extensive support, often with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and mobility, that would qualify you for nursing facility services under your state's Medicaid plan.
Can I qualify for PACE even if I'm currently living independently?
Yes. In fact, being able to live safely in the community with PACE's support, rather than needing to be institutionalized, is one of the four eligibility requirements itself.
What if I'm not sure whether I live in a PACE service area?
Service areas are specific to your address, often by county. Use a PACE organization locator tool to check your exact address rather than guessing based on your state or city alone.
This tool provides a general eligibility check based on federal PACE program requirements and does not constitute a determination of eligibility. Service area availability and nursing home level of care certification are determined by your state and local PACE organization, not by this tool. For an official eligibility determination, contact a PACE organization near you or your state Medicaid agency.