
What is a Medicare Special Needs Plan? A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage plan created for individuals with specific needs in order to provide coordinated care. These plans have certain qualifications, expand and specialize coverage, and differ from traditional Medicare Advantage plans.
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What is the best Medicare health plan?
What to Know About the Best Medicare Advantage Plans
- Most Medicare Advantage plans are PPO and HMO. Most Medicare Advantage plans are either PPO or HMO, representing 46% and 39% of available plans. ...
- Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. ...
- Vision, dental and hearing benefits are widespread. ...
- Just over half of Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums. ...
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 is a Medicare dsnp plan?
- All-Dual
- Full-Benefit
- Medicare Zero Cost Sharing
- Dual Eligible Subset
- Dual Eligible Subset Medicare Zero Cost Sharing Who is eligible for a DSNP? ...
- You must be a United States citizen or have been a legal resident for at least five years.
- You must be 65 years old or have a qualifying disability if younger than 65.
Are there different Medicare plans?
There are several different types of Medicare plans. The choices vary from the services covered to the type of administrators who manage the plan. People who are eligible for Medicare commonly choose the Original Medicare Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan. The Original Medicare Plan is a fee-for-service plan managed by the federal government.

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 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 is the difference between D SNP and C SNP?
There are three types: I-SNPs for people who need institutional-level care; C-SNPs for people with severe or disabling chronic conditions; and. D-SNPs for people who are dually eligible for Medicare (because of age and/or disability) and Medicaid (because of low income).
What best describes a Dsnp plan?
Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans - or D SNP's for short - are a special type of Medicare Advantage plan that provides health benefits for people who are “dual eligible,” meaning they qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
What does PPO D SNP mean?
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.
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 Medicare Advantage and Dsnp?
D-SNP-Specific Benefits Medicare Advantage SNPs cover the same Medicare services that all Medicare Advantage plans must cover; however, you'll notice that D-SNPs often come with additional benefits not usually offered in a Medicare Advantage Plan or have benefits with greater allowances toward specific services.
What does HMO C SNP mean?
C-SNPs are SNPs that restrict enrollment to special needs individuals with specific severe or disabling chronic conditions, defined in 42 CFR 422.2.
What are dual special needs plans Dsnp?
What is a Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP)? A dual special needs plan is a type of health insurance plan. It's for people who have both Medicaid and Medicare. If that's you, you're “dual-eligible.” (That's just another way of saying you can have Medicaid and Medicare at the same time).
Who benefits from a Dsnp?
Dual-eligibles, individuals of any age who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, qualify for D-SNPs. To be eligible for Medicare, individuals must be 65 years old or older or have a qualifying disability.
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.
Are Dsnp network based?
Are D-SNPs network-based? Yes, D-SNPs are network-based. HMO networks are most common, but PPO D-SNPs are available in certain areas.
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 ...
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.
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) ...
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.
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.
How to qualify for a special needs plan?
In order to qualify for a Special Needs Plan, you must meet each of the following criteria: Be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Have one of the chronic conditions above, reside in a nursing home or require home nursing care or be Medicare dual-eligible. Reside in the plan’s service area. A Chronic Condition SNP will require a note ...
What is special needs insurance?
Special Needs Plans are a type of Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage plans are a form of private Medicare coverage. These plans, sold by private insurance companies, offer all the same benefits as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
What is a SNP plan?
Your Complete Guide to Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP) A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) that is designed to fit the health care needs of people with a certain health condition or circumstance.
When does Medicare AEP take place?
The Medicare AEP takes place every year from October 15 to December 7. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) You may be granted a Special Enrollment Period at any time throughout the year, depending on your circumstances.
When does Medicare enroll in AEP?
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) The Medicare AEP takes place every year from October 15 to December 7.
What is a care coordinator in Medicare?
A care coordinator is a type of personal health care assistant who helps you schedule appointments, adhere to your doctor-recommended diet and exercise plan, obtain the right prescriptions, access community resources and more.
What is an I-SNP?
Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP) These plans are for people who are institutionalized in a nursing home or require nursing care at home. Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) There are 15 different health conditions that may have a corresponding Medicare Special Needs Plan: Chronic alcohol and drug dependence.
What is Medicare Advantage Plan?
A Medicare Advantage Plan allows patients to receive care through a network of providers that contract with Medicare. Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that serve individuals with chronic or disabling conditions.
What does it mean to be an SNP provider?
Patients who are covered under SNPs enjoy many benefits, and becoming an SNP provider means your LTSS program would be directly involved in providing those benefits in a local, culturally appropriate setting. However, there are also challenges related to SNPs.
Do you need other forms of health insurance to be fully covered?
Patients may not need other forms of health insurance to be fully covered. Those with Medicare and Medicaid or with limited income may pay little to none of their own money for services. Networks or providers may not be available in all parts of the country.
What is a Medicare Special Needs Plan?
A Medicare Special Needs plan is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan available only to people who have certain qualifying health conditions or situations.
Who can join an SNP?
Anyone who is eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance), lives in the plan’s service area, and meets the plan’s eligibility requirements can join an SNP.
What are the different types of SNP plans and eligibility requirements?
There are several kinds of SNPs, and to be eligible to sign up, enrollees must meet the qualifications for at least one of these:
How does a Medicare SNP work?
Medicare SNPs must provide you with the same benefits as Original Medicare, but they usually offer more help and covered benefits than Original Medicare or other Medicare Advantage plans. This additional care includes:
How much do SNP plans cost?
That depends. SNPs generally don’t cost more than other Medicare Advantage plans. But because some SNPs offer additional care, they may charge a monthly premium in addition to the base premium.
Can I get my healthcare from any doctor or network?
Usually, you need to stay in the Medicare SNP network, which is generally geared toward your specific needs or condition. There are two exceptions, however:
What questions should I ask before I enroll in an SNP?
Just as you would before joining any plan, your questions should be geared toward your individual needs. Here are some examples of things to ask to help you narrow down your choices.

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…