Bonita’s mother needed extra care and support. Her Special Needs Plan was there to provide it. Hear her story, as well as interviews from the nurse practitioners, social workers and physicians that help people like Bonita’s mother every day.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
Better Medicare Alliance is on a mission to protect and strengthen Medicare Advantage for beneficiaries who depend on it. Below, find our latest news on changes to Medicare Advantage policy, our insights in the BMA Blog, and mentions of our partners and allies in the news.
D-SNPs Serve Beneficiaries Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
SNPs are A Type of Medicare Advantage Plan Tailored to Serve Beneficiaries with Complex Needs
Over 2 Million Beneficiaries Are in Nearly 600 SNPs Nationwide
Peace of Mind Comes
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Primary Types of Medicare Advantage SNPs
Over 2.4 million beneficiaries are enrolled in nearly 600 SNPs nationwide.
- Dual-Eligible SNPs (D-SNPs): Serve beneficiaries eligible for coverage under both Medicare and Medicaid, known as dual-eligible beneficiaries – 377 D-SNPs serve 1.9 million beneficiaries.
- Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs): Serve beneficiaries with a disabling chronic condition, such as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), severe diabetes, dementia, or cancer – 123 C-SNPs serving over 330,000 beneficiaries.
- Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs): Serve institutionalized beneficiaries residing in a long-term care facility, such as a Skilled Nursing Facility, or living at home but qualify for an institutional level of care – 83 I-SNPs serving nearly 63,000 beneficiaries.
SNPs Need Certainty
- SNPs have been recognized as a valuable care delivery model for high-need individuals. SNPs have been reauthorized regularly by Congress since 2003. Additionally, both the Senate Finance Committee Chronic Care Working Group and MedPAC have both recommended permanent reauthorization of the program.
- In April 2016, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) extended the SNP program through December 31, 2018. Without Congressional action, SNP authority will expire December 31, 2018.
Latest News
Press Releases
Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Spend 36% Less on Out-of-Pocket Costs Than Those in Traditional Medicare — and the Gap Keeps Growing
July 22, 2026 Despite cost savings, MA beneficiaries report equal or better satisfaction with care quality than similar Fee-For-Service Medicare beneficiaries WASHINGTON — A new independent analysis finds Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spent $2,824 less out of pocket…
Press Releases
Better Medicare Alliance Statement on House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Markup
June 25, 2026 WASHINGTON — Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) issued the following statement today from Mary Beth Donahue, President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance, on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee markup: “Better Medicare Alliance welcomes the House Energy and Commerce…
Press Releases
BMA Launches Campaign Around Accurate Medicare Advantage Data
June 15, 2026 Campaign comes as MedPAC is set to release its June report to Congress. WASHINGTON — Ahead of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) June Report to Congress, Better Medicare Alliance launched a new campaign Monday…