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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.

Message to Congress

Protect Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans should be permanently authorized to ensure frail, disabled, and chronically-ill Medicare beneficiaries have access to the specialized care tailored to meet their complex needs.

Better Medicare Alliance supports permanently authorizing SNPs.

Together We support SNPS

Resources

Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans: Issue Brief BMA Letter on SNPs to Energy & Commerce Committe Spotlight on Innovation: Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans Letter to Energy & Commerce Committee on SNPs

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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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.

What is a SNP?

SNPs are a type of Medicare Advantage plan that are paid and regulated in the same way as other Medicare Advantage plans, but have the authority to provide specialized care to serve beneficiaries who are dually-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, have certain chronic conditions, or receive long-term care in an institutional setting such as a Skilled Nursing Facility. In addition to providing all Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, SNPs must also exceed these core benefits by providing reduced cost sharing, individualized care plans, and other tailored benefits related to mental health, social services, and wellness.

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.