Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
- A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan for individuals with extra healthcare needs.
- Medicare SNPs include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
- Depending on the type of SNP you choose, your plan may include additional medical services.
Full Answer
What is SNP Health Plan?
- A long-term care skilled nursing facility
- A long-term care nursing facility
- A skilled nursing facility/nursing facility
- An intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities
- An inpatient psychiatric facility
What are the three types of Special Needs Plans?
3 Types of special needs plans. There are three different types of SNPs: A special needs plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage (MA) coordinated care plan (CCP) specifically designed to provide targeted care and limit enrollment to special needs individuals. A special needs individual could be any one of the following:
What is Medicare Advantage special needs plan?
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that serve individuals with chronic or disabling conditions. These plans require eligible patients to receive care and services from doctors or hospitals in their Medicare SNP networks. SNP networks vary in size and the populations they serve.
What are Medicaid special needs plans?
- Polyarteritis nodosa
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Polymyositis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
What is an SNP Medicare plan?
Medicare SNPs are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). Medicare SNPs limit membership to people with specific diseases or characteristics. Medicare SNPs tailor their benefits, provider choices, and drug formularies to best meet the specific needs of the groups they serve.
What are the three types of Medicare special needs plans?
There are three different types of SNPs:Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)Dual Eligible SNP (D-SNP)Institutional SNP (I-SNP)
What does PPO SNP mean?
Preferred Provider OrganizationSNPs are also required to provide Part D coverage. Benefits access basics. Your Medicare SNP may be a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Depending on your plan, you may need to see in-network providers to receive coverage, or have the option of going out of network.
What are some distinct advantages of a SNP plan?
SNPs provide helpful guidance and resources to members based on their specific condition or needs. The plan may offer extra benefits tailored to the groups it serves, such as diabetes services, care coordination or other health and wellness programs.
What is the difference between SNP and D SNP?
Institutional SNP (I-SNP): For those who live in an institution such as a nursing home or require nursing care at home. Dual-Eligible SNP (D-SNP): For those with both Medicare and Medicaid.
Which of the following are the types of special needs plans SNPs?
How Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) workChronic Condition SNP (C-SNP): You have one or more of these severe or disabling chronic conditions: ... Institutional SNP (I-SNP): You live in an institution (like a nursing home), or you require nursing care at home.Dual Eligible SNP (D-SNP): You have both Medicare and.
What is UnitedHealthcare SNP?
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNP) that provide full Medicare health. care and prescription drug coverage, as well as additional benefits and services for members with special. needs.
Do SNP plans have networks?
SNP networks vary in size and the populations they serve. Two types of networks include: Networks covering a specified area. For example, one network may cover an entire state, while another network covers one county.
Do doctors prefer HMO or PPO?
PPOs Usually Win on Choice and Flexibility If flexibility and choice are important to you, a PPO plan could be the better choice. Unlike most HMO health plans, you won't likely need to select a primary care physician, and you won't usually need a referral from that physician to see a specialist.
How do d-SNP plans work?
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) enroll individuals who are entitled to both Medicare (title XVIII) and medical assistance from a state plan under Medicaid (title XIX). States cover some Medicare costs, depending on the state and the individual's eligibility.
Can you have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time?
Yes. A person can be eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare and receive benefits from both programs at the same time.
What is UnitedHealthcare dual complete HMO SNP?
UnitedHealthcare offers a Medicare Advantage plan in your area known as UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete® (HMO D-SNP). It is a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) for individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
What is a special needs plan?
A special needs plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage (MA) coordinated care plan (CCP) specifically designed to provide targeted care and limit enrollment to special needs individuals. A special needs individual could be any one of the following: An institutionalized individual, A dual eligible, or. An individual with a severe or disabling chronic ...
What is SNP in healthcare?
A SNP may be any type of MA CCP, including either a local or regional preferred provider organization (i.e., LPPO or RPPO) plan, a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, or an HMO Point-of-Service (HMO-POS) ...
Why do SNPs need to provide Part D coverage?
All SNPs must provide Part D prescription drug coverage because special needs individuals must have access to prescription drugs to manage and control their special health care needs. SNPs should assume that, if no modification is contained in guidance, existing Part C and D rules apply.
When did the SNP program end?
Most recently, section 206 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) extended the SNP program through December 31, 2018.
Do SNPs have to submit bids?
SNPs must prepare and submit bids like other MA plans, and are paid in the same manner as other MA plans based on the plan’s enrollment and risk adjustment payment methodology. All SNPs must abide by current CMS guidance on cost sharing requirements.
Do SNPs have to follow Medicare?
SNPs are expected to follow existing MA program rules, including MA regulations at 42 CFR 422, as modified by guidance, with regard to Medicare- covered services and Prescription Drug Benefit program rules. All SNPs must provide Part D prescription drug coverage because special needs individuals must have access to prescription drugs to manage and control their special health care needs. SNPs should assume that, if no modification is contained in guidance, existing Part C and D rules apply.
Did CMS accept SNP applications in 2008?
Accordingly, CMS did not accept SNP applications in 2008 for contract year (CY) 2009. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) lifted the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 moratorium on approving new SNPs.
Why is Medicare SNP important?
Because Medicare SNP plans are created with special needs in mind, they generally go beyond providing the same level of coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B, offering benefits that are specifically tailored to their enrollees’ conditions or circumstances . The targeted services that are offered are formulated to complement the regimens and requirements of the beneficiaries. This both improves treatment and minimizes frustrations and costs that may be encountered in other Medicare Advantage plans that serve a more general patient population.
What are the drawbacks of Medicare SNP?
Though Medicare SNP plans are designed to provide special services to those Medicare beneficiaries that need them, there are some drawbacks to the programs. The SNP plans frequently require their enrollees to see physicians and use providers that are part of pre-established networks, and this may preclude you from remaining with your existing physician. You also may need to get referrals to see specialists. The programs are not widely available, and those who believe they are qualified in the programs must meet specific SNP eligibility criteria. Beneficiaries may be disenrolled when their status changes and they no longer meet the criteria, and will then need to enroll in another plan. Though, if a beneficiary is disenrolled they will have a Special Enrollment Period to join another Medicare Advantage plan.
How to qualify for dual SNP?
To qualify for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, you need to provide proof that you have Medicaid. This can be accomplished either by producing a letter from Medicaid or showing your Medicaid identification card. Alternatively, you can complete the enrollment form for the D-SNP and the plan administrator will verify your Medicaid status. It is important to note that if you are enrolled in a Medicare MSP (Medical Savings Plan) at the time that you apply for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, you may find that the specific plan does not accept MSP beneficiaries to enroll. Most D-SNPs include a high level of dental, vision, and hearing care, as well as many other benefits.
How long do you have to live in a nursing home to qualify for SNP?
To qualify for an Institutional Special Needs Plan, you must live in long-term care served by the SNP for a minimum of 90 days. To qualify, the facility can be either a nursing home or an intermediate care facility for those with intellectual disabilities. Alternatively, you must have met your state’s guidelines for requiring a nursing home-level of care for a minimum of 90 days whether you live in a community setting such as your home or a group residence or in an institution. Those who have not yet received care for at least 90 days but who are likely to need that level of care for that period of time can also qualify.
What is a dual special needs plan?
A Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is a unique Medicare Advantage plan that combines your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, and your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. You'll get extra support to help coordinate ...
What are SNP specific conditions?
There are 15 SNP-specific chronic conditions approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Chronic alcohol and other drug dependences.
Can dual special needs be replaced with medicaid?
A Dual Special Needs Plan doesn't replace your Medicaid plan or change your Medicaid eligibility. You'll keep the same Medicaid plan you have today, and you'll still get all the same Medicaid benefits you get now. Learn more about Dual Special Needs coverage.
Is Medicaid considered a partial or full dual?
Depending on the amount of Medicaid benefits you receive, you may be considered a "full dual-eligible" or a "partial dual-eligible.". If you receive full Medicaid benefits, you will be fully dual-eligible. Most of the time, individuals who qualify get a letter from their state Medicaid office.
Does Medicare Advantage cover special needs?
Special Needs Plans cover the same health care services that all Medicare Advantage plans must including Medicare Part A and Part B. Some SNPs may also cover extra services tailored to the specific group they're designed to serve; however, all Special Needs Plans are required to provide prescription drug coverage.
What is a special needs plan?
A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that combines all the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with prescription drug coverage (Part D), but is only available to those beneficiaries who have an additional qualifying condition. For example, those who: 1 Have a specific chronic health condition 2 Are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid 3 Are a resident of a long-term care facility
What are the requirements for SNP?
To be eligible for an SNP, you must have Medicare Parts A and B and meet the specific conditions of the SNP. Depending on the specific plan, benefits may also include coverage for routine dental, vision and hearing care; nonemergency transportation to and from medical care; fitness programs; an over-the-counter medication allowance and more.
What is special needs plan?
Special Needs Plans are Medicare Advantage plans for people living with certain conditions or diseases, or those with low incomes. It can be hard to have a condition that requires extra health care and just as difficult to cover health costs on a fixed or low income.
What is a C-SNP?
We have Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) for people living with diabetes, a cardiovascular or lung disorder, chronic heart failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If you have one or more of these conditions and live in an area we cover, you can enroll in a C-SNP for benefits catered to your specific needs.
How old do you have to be to get a D-SNP?
You’re eligible for a D-SNP if you have both federal Medicare and state-run Medicaid. To be eligible for Medicare, you need to be 65 or older or have certain health conditions. Medicaid, on the other hand, is based on income levels instead of age. If your income qualifies you for assistance, you can be younger than 65.
List of Chronic Conditions
Section 1859 (b) (6) (B) (iii) of the Act and 42 CFR 422.2 define special needs individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions as special needs individuals “who have one or more co-morbid and medically complex chronic conditions that are substantially disabling or life threatening; have a high risk of hospitalization or other significant adverse health outcomes; and require specialized delivery systems across domains of care.” CMS solicited public comments on chronic conditions meeting the clarified definition and convened the SNP Chronic Condition Panel in the fall of 2008.
Grouping Chronic Conditions
When completing the SNP application, MAOs may apply to offer a C-SNP that targets any one of the following:
CMS-Approved Group of Commonly Co-morbid and Clinically-Linked Conditions
A C-SNP may not be structured around multiple commonly co-morbid conditions that are not clinically linked in their treatment because such an arrangement results in a general market product rather than one that is tailored for a particular population.
What Is A Special Needs Plan?
- A special needs plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage (MA) coordinated care plan (CCP) specifically designed to provide targeted care and limit enrollment to special needs individuals. A special needs individual could be any one of the following: 1. An institutionalized individual, 2. A dual eligible, or 3. An individual with a severe or disabling chr...
Statutory and Regulatory History
- The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) established an MA CCP specifically designed to provide targeted care to individuals with special needs. In the MMA, Congress identified “special needs individuals” as: 1) institutionalized individuals; 2) dual eligibles; and/or 3) individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions, as specified by CMS. MA CCPs established to provide se…
Requirements and Payment Procedures
- SNPs are expected to follow existing MA program rules, including MA regulations at 42 CFR 422, as modified by guidance, with regard to Medicare-covered services and Prescription Drug Benefit program rules. All SNPs must provide Part D prescription drug coverage because special needs individuals must have access to prescription drugs to manage and control their special health c…
Site Overview
- Specific information about each of the three SNP types (C-SNPs, D-SNPs, and I-SNPs), as well as information on the SNP Application and the SNP Model of Care, can be found by clicking the appropriate links on the left-hand side of this page. In addition, there is a link below to the online Medicare Managed Care Manual, which contains Chapter 16b – CMS's current sub-regulatory gu…