Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brandman Centers for Senior Care?
Brandman Centers for Senior Care is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
PACE creatively coordinates the care of each participant enrolled in the program based on his or her individual needs with the goal of enabling older individuals to remain living in their community.
We are one of 130 PACE programs in the United States. You can learn more at the National PACE Association and California PACE Association websites.
How do people qualify for PACE with Brandman Centers for Senior Care?
A person qualifies if she or he:
- 55 years of age or older;
- Meets the requirement for skilled nursing home care as determined by our interdisciplinary team assessment and certified by the California Department of Healthcare Services;
- Lives in our service area, and;
- Can live in the community without jeopardizing his or her health or safety.
Are prescription drugs covered?
Yes. All prescription and non-prescription drugs deemed necessary by our interdisciplinary care team are paid for by Brandman Centers for Senior Care.
Are people who do not qualify for Medi-Cal still eligible for enrollment?
Yes. If a person does not qualify for Medi-Cal, he or she will pay the portion of the monthly premium Medi-Cal would pay.
Our staff can help determine a person's Medi-Cal eligibility.
How do people enroll in Medi-Cal?
If you are not already enrolled in Medi-Cal, you can start the process with information from the Department of Health Care Services website.
If I belong to a Medicare HMO, can I also enroll in Brandman Centers?
No. You can only enroll in one Medicare health plan.
Brandman Centers for Senior Care is a health plan, we are both a Medicare provider and a long-term care provider.
By enrolling in Brandman Centers for Senior Care you will be automatically disenrolled from your current Medicare/HMO.
Can I keep my own doctor?
Participants who enroll in Brandman Centers for Senior Care are assigned a primary care physician. This doctor is part of an interdisciplinary team skilled in treating the health issues of aging. This doctor works with other members of the team to coordinate all services you receive. You will have a new primary doctor with Brandman Centers.
Brandman Centers for Senior Care may contract with some or all your specialist doctors, so you can continue to have access to the same specialists.
Participants in Brandman Centers for Senior Care agree to receive all health care services exclusively from our PACE plan’s interdisciplinary team which usually consists of a physician, clinic & home care nurses, social worker, physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapists, healthcare worker and transportation representative.
How do I get to and from a Brandman Center?
We provide transportation to and from the center. Transportation is a key part of the Brandman Centers' benefits.
Transportation is provided between the home and the day health center, to appointments with specialists, and to activities organized for participants by Brandman Centers.
Can I use only a specific service such as home care, meals, or transportation?
No. Focusing on a single aspect of care does not provide the best chance of remaining independent in the community. To participate, you receive the full benefits of the program.
For example, a participant may need rehabilitation following a stroke. This could include a special diet or medications for hypertension, diabetes and other chronic problems. The participant may also feel lonely and isolated. Brandman Centers for Senior Care can address these problems through a team of experienced team of professionals who develop a treatment plan that addresses with the complete picture.
Do Brandman participants attend the day health center every day?
On average, our participants attend the day center three times a week. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this has been temporarily limited.
Day center attendance is based on individual needs and can range from once a week, or every month, to several days a week, as needed.
What happens if I need nursing home care?
The goal of Brandman Centers for Senior Care is to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. If at some point it is in your best interest to receive care in a nursing home, and you agree, we will pay for the care. The interdisciplinary team will continue to supervise your care.
What happens if I want to disenroll from Brandman Centers for Senior Care?
A participant can disenroll anytime becoming effective the first day of the month following the date the disenrollment notice is received by BCSC.
We are delighted that so many who enroll in the Brandman Centers for Senior Care continue to participate for many years.
