PACE & DME - How the Right Vendor Strategy Supports Aging in Place

PACE, short for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, is a healthcare program for older adults who are aging in place. It operates with the philosophy that it’s better for seniors to live at home and stay within the community for as long as possible rather than moving to a care facility. 

PACE includes all Medicare- and Medicaid-covered services for adults 55 and older with chronic illnesses, including DME for seniors. The typical patient needs help with three daily tasks and has eight medical conditions. Almost half of patients have dementia.

One of the critical pieces for these patients is PACE program DME. Mobility aids, hospital beds, respiratory equipment, and other supplies make homes accessible and safe, and make it easier for caregivers to tend to patients. 

With such a high need for DME, reliable access to equipment and a strong DME strategy are essential. However, PACE programs face unique issues that interfere with DME stability and care. 

Challenges PACE Programs Face With DME

PACE programs have distinct challenges with DME, from large service areas to equipment delays and budget restraints. 

Large Service Areas

Nearly 80,000 people in 33 states receive home-based healthcare solutions through PACE programs. This is relatively small in terms of the number of patients, but many local branches cover large geographical service areas.

The average service area is 1,750 square miles. Such large regions mean that some senior care vendors may not be able to reach all parts of the service zone. PACE programs may have trouble supplying patients with DME using just one vendor.

Equipment Delays

Similarly, DME vendors may struggle to get equipment to patients on time across such large areas. Using one or two vendors may lead to back orders or slow response times that interfere with patient care and quality of life. 

Cost Management

Another challenge is finding DME vendors with high-quality equipment at controlled pricing. The government funds PACE programs with fixed monthly rates based on the number of eligible patients in the service area. High-cost equipment or contracts can quickly burn through your funding and strain your ability to operate and provide care to multiple patients. 

Why Vendor Choice Is Critical in PACE Programs

Your vendor partners influence daily operations. For PACE programs, the right vendor manager, like Qualis’ DME network, enhances equipment access, controls costs, and lowers wait times. 

Improves DME Access

Supply chain flexibility is a key principle for PACE program vendor management. The demand for DME will always be high within senior care. However, increasing the number of vendors you use gives you better access to equipment. More vendors mean more flexibility and coverage across your service area, lowering your risk of gaps and delays.

Offers Better Cost Control

Additionally, a limited vendor pool may force you to look elsewhere for equipment or pay much higher prices out of desperation. On the other hand, a DME network gives you instant access to a wide selection of vetted suppliers. DME managers like Qualis work behind the scenes to negotiate lower prices and prevent overpaying. The result is better cost control and smoother budgets.

Lowers Wait Times

Finally, a large network of suppliers in your service area leads to faster delivery. With more connections, you can quickly find items and arrange delivery to your patients without long wait times. Patients receive the essential tools and supplies they need for safe and comfortable living, which improves patient outcomes and satisfaction.

How Qualis Supports PACE Programs

Qualis offers end-to-end DME management with a DME network of over 900 vendors and user-friendly ordering software. Our solutions help you build an agile long-term care DME strategy with enhanced DME availability, automated tracking, and simplified invoicing.

Increases DME Availability 

Supplying cost-effective PACE program DME is simple with Qualis. Our DME+ ordering software gives you instant access to multiple vendors within your area, ensuring no gaps in coverage. Simply select a vendor, choose your items, and submit your order. We manage the contract details and use high-volume unit pricing to get you the best prices and more DME availability. 

Automates Tracking

Qualis' solutions help you stay on top of orders, deliveries, and invoices. Get time stamps and details for each order, including the date and employee name. Receive instant alerts to changes in equipment status and order progress so you can maintain smooth equipment retrieval and placement.

Simplifies Billing and Invoicing

Finally, we help organize your billing department with consolidated invoicing. Instead of hundreds of invoices for DME orders, Qualis simplifies the process with a single itemized invoice at the end of the month, helping to trim your admin burden and free time to focus on patient care. 

Partner With Qualis 

Vendor choice influences finances, cost management, and DME availability for PACE programs. Paying careful attention to your DME strategies can shift your operations and financial stability, and choosing the right DME network partner can make the difference. Discover how to optimize your DME processes with a complimentary consultation with Qualis experts. Get in touch with us today.