Part 1 of this series was about taking stock of PACE in 2025; Part 2 is about leaning forward with our PACE 2026 predictions.

By the end of 2025, the pressure facing senior care (and PACE in particular) was no longer theoretical. Expectations were clearer. The bar was higher. And the gap between what works on a small scale and what holds up as programs grow became harder to ignore.

This post picks up from there with our PACE 2026 predictions.

We won’t offer a list of overly bold forecasts that age poorly. Instead, what follows is a grounded look at what 2026 is likely to demand — from PACE programs, senior care leaders, and the technology that supports them.

In other words, this isn’t about guessing what might happen. It’s about paying attention to what’s already underway.

1. PACE proves that scale can raise the bar for senior care

By now, it’s clear that the PACE model works.

It delivers coordinated, person-centered care for highly complex populations while offering a level of cost predictability that many other senior care models still struggle to achieve. That’s why expectations around PACE continued to rise throughout 2025.

And, in 2026, those expectations create an opportunity to do something even bigger.

As programs demonstrate they can scale consistently, compliantly, and sustainably, PACE doesn’t just meet the bar that was set last year. It raises it for senior care more broadly. It shows what’s possible when care models are designed to hold up under pressure, not just in theory, but in practice.

This isn’t about changing what makes PACE special. It’s about proving that compassion, accountability, and predictability can coexist at scale — and that senior care doesn’t have to choose between them.

“As pressure mounts across Medicaid programs, PACE is increasingly viewed as one of the few models that can offer both compassion and cost predictability at the same time. That positions it to help shape what the future of senior care looks like.”
Robbie Felton, CEO, IntusCare

2. Population health moves from insight to impact

Many PACE programs already have strong population health insights.

They know where risk lives. They can identify high utilizers. They can see patterns across utilization, outcomes, and cost. What’s been harder is translating those insights into day-to-day action in a way that meaningfully improves care and financial performance.

In 2026, that gap becomes much harder to ignore.

As programs scale, population health can’t remain a side conversation or retrospective exercise. It must be operationalized. Embedded into workflows. Connected to care planning. Used to guide decisions in real time.

When applied well, population health becomes a practical lever for scale. Teams can intervene earlier, allocate resources more effectively, and reduce avoidable utilization; all while supporting participant well-being and program sustainability.

“Population health delivers the most value when it’s operationalized across clinical, functional, and social domains. That’s when insights translate into better care and more sustainable operations.”
Laura Ferrara, Chief Population Health Officer, IntusCare

3. AI starts helping programs scale, not just summarize

AI has proven it can save time. In 2026, it will begin to show real value in helping programs scale.

We expect to see AI move beyond summarization and recommendations into supporting real steps in workflows. Preparing documentation ahead of visits. Flagging gaps before they become audit findings. Reducing the manual effort required to stay compliant as volume increases.

For PACE programs, this matters because scale brings complexity. Thoughtfully applied AI can help teams manage that complexity without adding burden or pulling focus away from care.

Of course, usefulness still depends on context. AI must understand the PACE model, the regulatory environment, and how work gets done. When it does, it becomes a quiet enabler of scale rather than another tool to learn and manage.

“We’re starting to see AI move from passive to active, supporting real steps in workflows. When it’s grounded in how senior care operates, it can meaningfully reduce burden and support scale.”
Stephanie Rock, SVP, Product & Delivery, IntusCare

4. Technologies that work together become essential to scale

As PACE programs grow, the way technology fits together matters more than any individual feature.

In 2026, programs will increasingly look for technology ecosystems that support collaboration, integration, and flexibility. Systems that connect clinical, operational, financial, and compliance workflows without forcing teams to work around gaps.

Scaling PACE requires technology that reflects how care is delivered and how organizations operate. That means solutions that can share data, integrate with existing partners, and evolve alongside programs as needs change.

The goal isn’t fewer tools for the sake of it. It’s technology that works together well enough to support scale without adding friction.

“The goal isn’t more technology; it’s systems that work together with shared context and reliable data flow. As PACE scales, interoperability becomes essential to supporting teams without adding complexity.”

Bharath Kakarla, Senior Vice President of Engineering, IntusCare

5. Discipline becomes an advantage

The most important shift in 2026 won’t be flashy.

Success will come from disciplined execution. Tighter operations. Clearer accountability. Systems that help teams operate consistently under pressure.

The organizations that thrive won’t be chasing every new idea. They’ll be reinforcing fundamentals, investing in readiness, and building for durability.

The bar has been raised. Meeting it takes focus and follow-through.

“Organizations that build a seamless operational and financial foundation will be better positioned to adapt, attract investment, and deliver consistent results as pressure increases.”
Evan Jackson, CRO, IntusCare

What this means in practice

Our PACE 2026 predictions aren’t about reinvention — they’re about scale.

PACE has already proven it works and has earned the right to lead by example. Now the work is showing how scale happens — by operationalizing population health, applying AI where it truly helps, building technology that works together, and reinforcing the discipline required to keep care both compassionate and predictable as expectations rise.

That kind of scale doesn’t come from shortcuts. It comes from partnership.

For us at IntusCare, this is the work we’re most excited about. Standing alongside PACE programs as they take what already works and make it durable. Helping teams move from insight to action. Supporting leaders who are building for the long term, even when the pressure is real, and the path isn’t always linear.

2026 is about showing just how far PACE can go.

And we’re all in (with you) for that.