If you have a chronic condition, you can get a Medicare plan that is called a special needs plan (SNP). A type of Medicare Advantage Plan, an SNP plan is offered as supplemental insurance and remains limited to people with certain conditions.
Eligibility for SNP
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cancer
- Stroke
- HIV/AIDS
- Chronic alcohol or drug dependence
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Chronic lung disorders
- End-stage liver disease
- End-stage kidney disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Chronic heart failure
- Neurologic disorders
- Severe hematologic disorders
In order to be eligible for SNP, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, live in the service area and meet requirements that the plan targets. You can find out what SNP plans are available to you locally by using this online registry.
There are three types of SNPs available:
- Chronic-Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) This plan is for beneficiaries with severe or disabling chronic conditions. C-SNP may target a single condition or more than one.
- Institutional Special Needs Plans (I-SNP) This plan is for people living in an institution or who need nursing care at home.
- Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) This plan is for those of who have Medicare and Medicaid (a.k.a. dual-eligible).
SNP benefits
The SNP plan you chose tailors to the benefits that you need for your specific needs. The Medicare SNP combines prescription drugs, hospital, and medical to make it easier to coordinate all parts of your care. This is to help you better understand your condition and stick to your doctor’s treatment regimen. C-SNP may include physicians and hospitals that specialize in treating your specific condition. If you’re enrolled in SNP for dual eligibles, there may be certain services available to help coordinate your Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
You still get the coverage included with Original Medicare, this plan offers extra coverage those that meet the qualifying terms to help with your particular situation. The main difference between SNP and Medicare Advantage is that SNP must cover prescriptions drugs.
Related Link
Congressman Introduces Bill to Reauthorize Special Needs Plans
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