Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 173.501 – Home first component of PACE

(A) As used in this section: "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code. "PACE provider" has the same meaning as in the "Social Security Act," section 1934(a)(3), 42 U.S.C. 1396u-4(a)(3).
(B) The department of aging shall establish a home first component of the PACE program under which eligible individuals may be enrolled in the PACE program in accordance with this section. An individual is eligible for the PACE program's home first component if both of the following apply:
1. (1) The individual has been determined to be eligible for the PACE program.
2. (2) At least one of the following applies:
  1. (a) The individual has been admitted to a nursing facility.
  2. (b) A physician has determined and documented in writing that the individual has a medical condition that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, will require the individual to be admitted to a nursing facility within thirty days of the physician's determination.
  3. (c) The individual has been hospitalized and a physician has determined and documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, the individual is to be transported directly from the hospital to a nursing facility and admitted.
  4. (d) Both of the following apply:
    1. (i) The individual is the subject of a report made under section 5101.63 of the Revised Code regarding abuse, neglect, or exploitation or such a report referred to a county department of job and family services under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code or has made a request to a county department for protective services as defined in section 5101.60 of the Revised Code.
    2. (ii) A county department of job and family services and an area agency on aging have jointly documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, the individual should be admitted to a nursing facility.
(C) Each month, the department of aging shall identify individuals who are eligible for the home first component of the PACE program. When the department identifies such an individual, the department shall notify the PACE provider serving the area in which the individual resides. The PACE provider shall determine whether the PACE program is appropriate for the individual and whether the individual would rather participate in the PACE program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility. If the PACE provider determines that the PACE program is appropriate for the individual and the individual would rather participate in the PACE program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility, the PACE provider shall so notify the department of aging. On receipt of the notice from the PACE provider, the department of aging shall approve the individual's enrollment in the PACE program in accordance with priorities established in rules adopted under section 173.50 of the Revised Code.