Is PACE in every California county?

No. DHCS publishes service counties and ZIP codes. If the ZIP code is not listed, PACE is not an option there.

Can someone have PACE and IHSS together?

Disability Rights California and DHCS materials describe PACE as all-inclusive. Ask the organization and the county before you assume overlap.

Does this page quote a PACE premium?

No. People who are Medicare-only may have a premium conversation with the plan. Ask the plan.

GlossaryPrograms

Programs

What is PACE in California?

Updated September 16, 2026. Reviewed September 16, 2026 against public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and CareScout 2025 California tables. County wages, hours, and wait times still change. Official .gov pages decide.

PACE is an all-inclusive medical and social model for eligible people 55 or older who live in a participating California service area and meet nursing-home level of care.

Based on public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and California Department of Insurance pages retrieved 2026-09-16. County, Medi-Cal, Medicare, VA, and insurer staff decide what actually pays. Hourly rates, hour totals, waiver slots, and wait times are local and change.

Short answer

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) uses an interdisciplinary team to coordinate preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care. DHCS says a person must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be determined to meet nursing-home level of care, and be able to live safely in the home or community at enrollment. It is generally not stacked with IHSS. Ask the PACE organization.

Who decides

DHCS lists plans and ZIP codes. The PACE organization decides enrollment. County IHSS does not enroll someone in PACE.

What to do next

Check the DHCS California PACE plans list for the ZIP code. If it is not listed, stop. If it is listed, call the organization and ask what happens to an existing IHSS case.

Check the ZIP code first

Use California PACE plans. Do not drive to a center in another county and assume enrollment.

Questions people ask

Is PACE in every California county?: No. DHCS publishes service counties and ZIP codes. If the ZIP code is not listed, PACE is not an option there.
Can someone have PACE and IHSS together?: Disability Rights California and DHCS materials describe PACE as all-inclusive. Ask the organization and the county before you assume overlap.
Does this page quote a PACE premium?: No. People who are Medicare-only may have a premium conversation with the plan. Ask the plan.

Official sources for this page

Official program pages: CDSS: In-Home Supportive Services, CDSS: IHSS for children, County IHSS offices, CDSS: IHSS providers, CDSS: county IHSS wage rates, CDSS: provider orientation, CDSS: Electronic Visit Verification, CDSS: Electronic Services Portal, DHCS: Medi-Cal, Apply for Medi-Cal, BenefitsCal, CDSS: hearing requests, CDSS: forms catalog, CDSS: IHSS overtime and workweek, DDS: regional centers.