PACE Program in Florida

The short answer: PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, gives older adults who need nursing-home level care all of their medical care and long-term care through one organization, so they can keep living at home. Members usually go to a PACE center for doctor visits, therapy, meals and activities, and the program provides help at home and rides. In Florida it is offered only in certain counties, and enrollment is limited.

Who Qualifies for PACE in Florida?

To join a Florida PACE program, you must (Source: AHCA PACE report, August 2026):

• be 55 or older;
• live in a PACE service area, listed below;
• need nursing-facility level of care, as determined by the Department of Elder Affairs' CARES program, which does a free assessment (Sources: AHCA and Florida Statute 430.84);
• be able to live safely in the community when you join; and
• accept the PACE center's doctor as your primary care doctor.

You do not have to have Medicaid to join, but most members do.

What PACE Covers and What It Costs

Medicare and Medicaid each pay the PACE organization a monthly amount. In return it must provide every medically necessary service Medicare and Medicaid cover, plus anything else its care team decides you need, such as personal care, adult day care, meals, therapy, prescriptions and transportation. (Source: AHCA.)

• With Medicaid: no monthly premium.
• With Medicare only: a monthly premium for the long-term care part and a Medicare drug premium.
• With neither: you pay the full monthly premium yourself.
• No deductibles or copays for care your PACE team approves. Joining a separate Medicare drug plan would end your PACE membership. (Source: Medicare.gov.)

In PACE, the program's team arranges your care, and you generally use the PACE organization's doctors and providers. If you have Medicaid, PACE takes the place of a Medicaid long-term care plan; see our guide to Florida Medicaid managed care.

Where PACE Is Offered in Florida

These 16 PACE programs were operating as of AHCA's August 2026 report. (Source: AHCA PACE report.)

Coming soon

AHCA lists more programs that the state has approved and that are waiting for federal approval or finishing construction. They include Beacon of Life (Volusia, Flagler and Seminole), Hillsborough PACE (Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco), Kinship PACE in Brevard, Marion and Polk, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward, St. Francis Reflections (Brevard), Volunteers of America (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla), Hope PACE (Citrus, Levy and Sumter), and Chapters Health (Highlands and Hardee). Opening dates depend on approvals, so call before you plan on one. (Source: AHCA.)

How to Enroll in PACE

1. Find the PACE program for your county in the table above and contact it. The PACE organization handles intake and can tell you whether it has openings.
2. Get the CARES assessment. A Department of Elder Affairs nurse or assessor decides whether you need nursing-facility level care. There is no charge.
3. Apply for Medicaid through the Department of Children and Families if you may qualify. Our Medicaid long-term care guide has the 2026 income and asset limits.
4. Visit the PACE center and meet the care team, which writes your care plan.

Slots are limited. The Legislature funds a set number of slots for each program, and some are full or nearly full. (Source: AHCA.) If PACE is not available near you, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) to be screened for Medicaid long-term care or other senior and disabled services.

Is PACE Right for You?

PACE can be a good fit if you want one team to coordinate all your care, need daily help but want to stay home, and are willing to switch to the PACE doctor. It may not fit if you want to keep your current doctors or rarely want to go to a day center. Compare it with in-home care and assisted living before you decide.

Questions About PACE in Florida

Disclaimer: This guide is general information. Service areas, openings and premiums change. Confirm with the PACE organization before you decide.