Oct. 12 Town Hall Meeting in Madison on “Virtual PACE”

It’s still unclear if there will be any public hearings on the proposals recently unveiled by the Department of Health Services (DHS) to substantially change BadgerCare for low-income Wisconsinites. (A WCCF summary of the proposed BadgerCare and Medicaid changes was posted online today.)

However, there will be public forums on at least one part of the long list of proposed Medicaid reforms. The department announced last Thursday that it plans to hold several town hall meetings on the proposal known as “Virtual PACE,” beginning with a town hall meeting in Madison on Wednesday afternoon, starting at 2:00:

Virtual PACE is a proposed pilot program for a coordinated care system for elderly and disabled adults who wish to receive services in the community. It would serve up to 20,000 adults who require a nursing home level of care and are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (“dual elibgibles”). The current PACE program is only available in parts of the state, is limited to people age 55 and older, and to services provided through adult day settings. The Virtual PACE pilot program envisions serving a broader age range, more counties, and with greater flexibility in the location where care is provided.

The department’s summary of the Virtual PACE demonstration proposal and the federal grant that is facilitating its development can be found on the DHS website.   Their website also contains information on the department’s full list of cost-cutting proposals. 

Individuals who are interested in speaking will have up to 10 minutes to share their ideas at this forum. Those who would like to share their ideas and do not wish to speak are encouraged to submit their written feedback.

Additional meetings on Virtual PACE are being planned in La Crosse, Milwaukee and Stevens Point and will be announced by DHS as details are finalized.

Jon Peacock