Comprehensive healthcare and social support for seniors still living at home

At Catholic Health, we understand just how much the comforts of home can make a difference in a loved one’s quality of life. Living Independently for Elders (LIFE) is our PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, initiative.

The LIFE (PACE) Program

LIFE offers specialized geriatric medical and social services to certain elderly people still living in the community. PACE qualifies as a New York State Managed Long-Term Care program and is a Medicare/Medicaid eligible program, so it’s affordable, too.

The LIFE program allows adults age 55+ to maintain their independence in the comfort of their homes without compromising their health or safety. The program provides better access to doctors and caregivers, a range of social activities, and free, round trip transportation to our centers and doctor’s appointments.

Best of all, programs like LIFE have proven to enhance quality of life and decrease hospitalizations for participants.



 


The Care Team at LIFE

Our compassionate team of geriatric healthcare specialists provide coordinated care that is personalized to meet the needs of each individual. The team holds daily meetings, which allows them to closely observe and manage all health and long-term care services for each individual.

Our team of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, day care aides, physical rehab specialists, home care providers and dieticians are available to provide services in the participant’s home, day health centers, hospitals, or even long-term facilities if needed. On-call health care coverage by doctors and nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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LIFE Offers a Wide Range of Services

Medical Care

  • Specialized medical care
  • Dental care, including dentures
  • Eye care, including exams and glasses
  • Foot care
  • Hearing exams and hearing aids
  • Diagnostic test and lab services
  • Mental health
  • Alcohol and substance use services
  • Comprehensive hospital inpatient and emergency services
  • Nursing home services for rehabilitation and long-term care, if needed
  • Renal dialysis

Transportation

  • Round-trip transportation to and from the LIFE Centers
  • Transportation to and from medical appointments

Day Centers

  • Team-based care management
  • Primary care services
  • Nursing
  • Rehabilitation therapies (OT, PT, Speech)
  • Social work services and spiritual care
  • Nutritional services and meals
  • Personal care
  • Adult day care
  • Recreational and educational activities

At-Home Care

  • Medical equipment and supplies
  • Home care services
  • Home delivered prescription drugs
  • Consumer directed personal assistance services
  • Environmental supports, such as home safety modification

LIFE Center Locations

As a LIFE member, you will have access to the services provided at both of our locations: The LIFE Center in Lackawanna, located on the campus of the OLV Senior Neighborhood; and the newly remodeled LIFE Center on the Villa Maria Campus in Cheektowaga.

Who is eligible for the LIFE (PACE) Program?

  • Adults age 55 or older
  • A resident of Erie County
  • Those with medical needs that would qualify for nursing home level of care
  • Determined to be able to safely reside in the community with support from
    Catholic Health LIFE services at time of enrollment
  • Has Medicare and/or Medicaid and/or willing to pay privately
LIFE Location Coming Soon

Coming Soon

A new LIFE Center location is coming soon to Buffalo's West Side

Catholic Health's LIFE Program Resources

Please see below for additional details and resources regarding the Catholic Health LIFE program. If you have any questions or require assistance determining if you and/or a loved one qualifies for this PACE program, please give our representative a call at (716) 819-5433.

Health Coverage and Costs

Membership Costs

We pay for all authorized services for members at no cost to you.

If you do not have Medicaid or if you are completely private pay, you will be charged a monthly premium. We will be happy to explain costs, if there are any, when we meet with you.

Catholic Health LIFE participants may be held liable for costs for unauthorized or out-of-network services.

How to Enroll

If you are interested in finding out more information to become a member, we can be reached toll free at 1-855-671-3341, locally at (716) 819-5433, or TTY (716) 819-5227.

After we receive your call:

  1. We will schedule a visit either at your home or at our center for a tour. During this visit, you will meet with a member of the Catholic Health LIFE intake team and will be provided with our enrollment guide book and provider list. The intake staff will provide an overview of services and answer any questions you may have.
  2. If you have active Medicaid and meet the basic criteria of age and residence within Erie County, we will work with you to discuss your options to obtain a Uniform Assessment System (UAS) evaluation, if needed to determine eligibility. If you are deemed eligible and you would like to pursue enrollment with Catholic Health LIFE PACE, we will schedule an intake assessment in your home.
  3. Next, you will meet with members of the Catholic Health LIFE Interdisciplinary Team and they will develop a plan of care specific to your needs.
  4. If you are eligible and choose to enroll, you will sign an enrollment agreement. Your membership usually becomes effective on the first day of the month after the enrollment is completed.

Non-Discrimination Statement

To view our non-discrimination statement click here.

Resources for Current LIFE Participants

General Information

LIFE Member Handbook (PDF)
LIFE Plan Network Provider List (PDF)

Submit a Grievance

If you have a complaint or concern regarding the care you or a patient is receiving please complete and submit a Catholic Health LIFE Program Grievance Form 1603C.

LIFE Grievance and Appeal Fact Sheet (PDF)
LIFE Grievance and Appeal Fact Sheet (Spanish) (PDF)
LIFE Grievance Form (PDF)
LIFE Appeal Form (PDF)

Appointment of Representative

If you would like someone to represent you in your dealings with Medicare, you must sign and submit a written statement to Social Security. You may use Appointment of Representation CMS Form 1696 for this purpose.

Appointment of Representation CMS Form 1696 (PDF)

Voluntary Enrollment

Membership is voluntary. If you choose to end your membership, the LIFE team will work with you to insure a smooth transition of your health insurance and health related services. For further details regarding your rights after disenrollment, please follow the link below:

Post Disenrollment Fact Sheet (PDF)