Via Christi HOPE PACE program

For those not familiar with the PACE program in Wichita, this is an all-inclusive managed care program for seniors meeting the Medicare/ Medicaid eligibility requirements. It is operated by the Via Christi medical network. This program provides for everything seniors might need, except CHOICE. You must use providers within the network. So be prepared to say good-bye to your family doc if you choose this option of service delivery. An interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, therapists, etc. will assess, coordinate and deliver any of the traditional Medicare/Medicaid services one may need. This includes placement in a nursing home, if necessary, but only the ones they contract with. Of course there are plenty of qualified, caring folks involvled, but it is hard to get past the fact that you are locked in..