ADRC Professionals: Differences Between Family Care, Partnership, and PACE

This page explains some differences between these managed long-term care programs:

• Family Care
• Partnership
• PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

You can enroll in one managed long-term care program at a time. All programs are voluntary. Voluntary means it is your choice to enroll. You can choose to change to a different program, managed care organization, or leave a program at any time.

Note: Partnership and PACE are not offered in all Wisconsin counties. Ask your local ADRC (aging and disability resource center) or Tribal ADRS (aging and disability resource specialist) about the options near you.

Services

Family Care provides a range of long-term care services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Partnership and PACE provide the same long-term care services that Family Care provides. Partnership and PACE also provide health and medical services and prescription drugs. You may decide to choose a program based on the services you need.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want a team of people coordinating my health and medical services?
• Do I have more than one diagnosis or a complex condition?
• Do I take a lot of medicine?
• Have I had to go to the hospital many times?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, Partnership or PACE may be a better option for you.

Terms to know

• Long-term care: This is a service or support you may need because of one or more of the following:
  • You have a disability.
  • You are age 65 or older (55 or older for PACE).
  • You have a lasting or chronic condition.
  • You need help with daily tasks, such as getting dressed or bathing.
• Health and medical services: These are services from a doctor, nurse, or other qualified medical provider, including:
  • Disease prevention.
  • Health maintenance.
  • Patient education.
• Prescription drugs: These include all Medicaid and Medicare drug services. Partnership and PACE members don’t need a separate Medicare Part D drug plan.

Care team

Each program has a care team. Care team members differ by program.

Ask yourself:

Does it matter to me who is on my care team?

Note: If someone makes legal choices on your behalf, such as a guardian, they also will be part of your care team.

Providers and facilities

Some programs include certain doctors or health care facilities in their network.

Ask yourself:

• How important is it to keep my current doctor?
• Do I want a choice in the facility I use?

Family Care does not pay for primary care services, so you use your own doctor. Your care team can help you talk with and find primary care providers and services if needed.

With Partnership and PACE, you use doctors who are in your managed care organization’s provider network. Your current doctor may be in the network or may agree to join it.

With PACE, most services are provided at a PACE center.

Learn more

Your local ADRC or Tribal ADRS can help you decide which program is best for you. Find your local ADRC or Tribal ADRS