If you are over 65, you probably already have a Medicare Advantage plan.
But your health can change. You could need more. That is when people start to look at Kansas PACE.
PACE is not just another insurance plan. It is a different way to get care, designed for people who need more help.
Here are some things to think about as you decide what is best for you.
Staying Social
If you still get out often and drive yourself, a Medicare Advantage plan may give you all you need.
But if your world has become smaller, if most days are quiet and you miss the company of other people, Kansas PACE might feel better.
At the PACE Center, you can spend the day with new friends, enjoy a hot lunch, and join in games, art, learning or music.
Social time is part of the care plan, not something extra.
Getting to Appointments
Think about how easy it is for you to get to the doctor now.
If you drive yourself or have someone who can take you, Medicare Advantage may work well.
If getting rides has become harder, Kansas PACE can drive you to the PACE Center and to all medical visits.
PACE picks you up and brings you home. And, you never have to arrange it yourself.
Paying for Care
With Medicare Advantage, costs can vary.
You may pay small amounts each time you visit the doctor or fill a prescription.
If you have Kansas PACE, those copays disappear. Everything your care team approves is covered.
So, if your medical bills are starting to add up, or if you take many medicines, PACE may help you manage costs.
Avoiding the Emergency Room
When was your last trip to the emergency room or urgent care? If you go often, it may be because small problems turn into big ones.
PACE teams meet every day to talk about changes in each participant’s health. They catch things early and fix them quickly.
That regular attention can mean fewer trips to the emergency room.
Plan for the Future
No one likes to think about nursing homes, but it is worth asking what you would want if your health changed.
Medicare Advantage covers hospital stays and short-term rehab, but long-term care is up to you.
Kansas PACE is designed for people who could be on the road to entering a nursing home but want to stay home instead.
Our goal at PACE is to keep you safe where you live today.
How Care Is Coordinated at PACE
With Medicare Advantage, you visit different offices for your doctors, therapy, and tests.
You handle the scheduling and the paperwork.
With Kansas PACE, your care team — doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers — meet every day and plan together.
They talk to each other, not just to you.
That can make care smoother, especially if you have many health conditions.
When You Can Enroll in PACE
Medicare Advantage has open enrollment once a year, from October to December.
Kansas PACE accepts new participants all year long.
If your needs change suddenly, you do not have to wait. PACE enrolls new participants every month.
Care at Home and Help for Family
If you already get help at home, ask how it’s paid for.
With Kansas PACE, home care, caregiver training, and short-term breaks for family members are all included.
In Medicare Advantage, home help depends on the plan and is often limited.
Making Your Choice: PACE or Medicare Advantage?
Both programs help Kansans live better lives.
The choice depends on how much help you need and how you want your care to feel.
If you are mostly healthy and like handling your own appointments, Medicare Advantage may be fine.
If you are starting to need more help with daily life, or if you want a team that stays in touch every day, Kansas PACE may be the next step.
Either way, the best choice is the one that fits your life right now and helps you stay as independent as you want to be.
Learn More
If you have questions about Kansas PACE and if it is right for you, call us to arrange a conversation with an enrollment representative. There is no pressure. And, we are all non-profits, here to serve and help you make the best choice.
Full sources: kansaspace.org/compare
